Environmental Policy

 

Our Environmental Commitments

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1. Energy Management

 

We:

• Monitor energy consumption across our properties.

• Use LED lighting throughout all of our accommodation.

• Operate smart heating controls and timers to reduce unnecessary energy use.

• Maintain buildings and equipment to maximise efficiency.

• Encourage guests to switch off lights, televisions and electrical appliances when leaving their room.

• Invest in energy efficient appliances when replacements are required.

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2. Water Conservation

 

We:

• Monitor water usage and investigate unusual consumption.

• Install water efficient fittings where practical.

• Regularly inspect plumbing systems to identify leaks.

• Encourage guests to reuse towels during their stay.

• Promote responsible water use through guest information and operational practices.

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3. Waste Reduction & Circular Economy

 

We:

• Follow the principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

• Provide recycling facilities for guests and owners.

• Minimise the use of single use products wherever possible.

• Restore, repair and repurpose furniture, fixtures and decorative items rather than replacing them.

• Source second-hand, vintage and antique furniture to furnish and decorate our properties.

• Use restored furniture, artwork and decorative pieces throughout our accommodation, giving characterful items a new purpose and reducing the environmental impact associated with manufacturing new products.

• Donate unwanted furnishings and household items to local charities where appropriate.

• Purchase durable products designed to last.

• Reduce paper consumption through digital guest information, online booking systems and electronic communications.

 

The restoration and reuse of furniture is central to our design philosophy. Many of the furnishings found throughout our properties have been sourced second-hand and carefully restored by the owners. This approach reduces waste, supports the circular economy and creates unique interiors that celebrate craftsmanship, heritage and sustainability.

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4. Sustainable Purchasing

 

We:

• Prioritise local suppliers and independent businesses wherever practical.

• Purchase locally produced food and drink for guest offerings whenever possible.

• Choose environmentally responsible cleaning products where suitable.

• Consider packaging, durability and environmental impact when selecting suppliers.

• Support Devon and Cornwall businesses as part of our commitment to the local economy.

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5. Supporting Local Communities

 

We:

• Promote local restaurants, cafés, attractions, artists, galleries and craftspeople.

• Recommend independent businesses to our guests.

• Encourage visitors to explore Tavistock, Dartmoor and the surrounding area responsibly.

• Support local tourism initiatives and partnerships.

• Contribute to the economic success of the communities in which we operate.

• Showcase local heritage, culture and history through our properties and guest communications.

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6. Protecting Nature & Biodiversity

 

We:

• Manage outdoor spaces in a wildlife friendly manner.

• Reduce the use of harmful chemicals wherever possible.

• Introduce pollinator friendly planting where appropriate.

• Encourage guests to enjoy the countryside responsibly.

• Promote awareness of the natural environment and local biodiversity.

• Encourage responsible exploration of Dartmoor National Park and the surrounding countryside.

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7. Sustainable Travel

 

We:

• Provide information about public transport options.

• Encourage walking and cycling throughout guests' stays.

• Promote local attractions that can be reached without a car.

• Use virtual meetings where practical to reduce business travel.

• Share local walking routes and visitor information that supports low impact tourism.

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8. Heritage Conservation

 

We:

• Maintain and preserve historic buildings, original features and architectural character wherever possible.

• Prioritise restoration over replacement.

• Invest in the long-term conservation of the buildings under our care.

• Celebrate the history and heritage of our properties through thoughtful restoration and design.

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9. Guest Participation

We actively encourage guests to support our environmental commitments during their stay.

 

We:

• Encourage guests to switch off lights and appliances when not required.

• Encourage guests to boil only the amount of water needed in kettles.

• Encourage guests to reuse towels and bed linen during longer stays.

• Offer linen and towel changes only when required, reducing unnecessary water, energy and detergent consumption.

• Provide recycling facilities and encourage responsible waste disposal.

• Reduce food waste by preparing breakfasts to order.

• Promote walking, cycling and low impact ways to explore the local area.

• Encourage guests to support local independent businesses during their visit.

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10. Continuous Improvement

 

We:

• Review our environmental performance annually.

• Monitor utility consumption and operating practices.

• Seek opportunities to reduce our environmental impact.

• Keep up to date with sustainable tourism best practice.

• Share our sustainability journey with guests and stakeholders.

• Review this policy annually to ensure it remains relevant and effective.

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Climate Action Plan

Climate change presents one of the greatest challenges facing tourism. As a small independent accommodation provider, we recognise our responsibility to reduce emissions, operate efficiently and support a more sustainable future.

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What We Do Today

 

We currently:

• Monitor energy and water consumption across our properties.

• Use LED lighting and energy efficient appliances.

• Restore and repurpose furniture rather than purchasing new items wherever possible.

• Support local suppliers and independent businesses.

• Reduce paper consumption through digital communication.

• Promote responsible tourism and low impact visitor experiences.

• Maintain our buildings to improve energy efficiency and longevity.

• Encourage guests to make environmentally conscious choices during their stay.

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Our Climate Objectives

 

By 2030 we aim to:

• Reduce energy consumption per occupied room by 15%.

• Reduce landfill waste by 50%.

• Increase recycling rates year on year.

• Continue improving building efficiency through investment and maintenance.

• Strengthen local purchasing and supply chains.

• Increase biodiversity through wildlife friendly planting and management.

• Further reduce paper use through digital solutions.

• Continue expanding our use of restored and reclaimed furnishings across all properties.

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Climate Adaptation & Resilience

 

We:

• Monitor risks associated with extreme weather events.

• Maintain our buildings to improve resilience and longevity.

• Review operational procedures regularly.

• Consider climate resilience when making future investment decisions.

• Seek practical ways to reduce the environmental impact of our operations while maintaining high standards of guest comfort and service.

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Responsibility

Overall responsibility for this Environmental Policy and Climate Action Plan rests with us as the owners of One Drake Road.

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We believe tourism should leave places better than it found them.

 

Through thoughtful hospitality, careful stewardship, restoration, reuse and continuous improvement, we are committed to protecting the environment, supporting our local communities and creating memorable experiences for our guests while contributing to a more sustainable future.

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Additional Sustainability Actions We Currently Undertake

 

We:

• Recycle glass, card, paper, plastics, foil and garden waste.

• Remove recyclable materials from bedroom bins to maximise recycling rates.

• Supply reusable glass bottled water ​

• Recycle aluminium coffee pods through specialist recycling schemes.

• Recycle glass jam jars and aluminium lids.

• Recycle outdated tourist leaflets and printed materials.

• Use washing powder supplied in recyclable cardboard packaging.

• Recycle garden waste through local authority composting schemes.

• Use glass bathroom tumblers instead of plastic alternatives.

• Decant sauces and condiments into reusable dishes rather than providing disposable sachets.

• Use low or no VOC paints and finishes wherever possible.

• Source toilet tissue from responsibly managed forests.

• Store cereals in reusable Kilner jars rather than individual packaging.

• Provide fresh milk in ceramic jugs on request

• Offer homemade treats without individual plastic packaging.

• Use reusable storage containers and silicone covers in place of disposable cling film.

• Provide wooden rather than plastic takeaway cutlery.

• Supply organic toiletries packaged in large format with pump dispensers

• Shop using reusable bags and request deliveries without carrier bags.

• Return egg trays to local suppliers for reuse.

• Refill guests' reusable water bottles.

• Reuse storage containers and packaging materials wherever practical.

• Purchase cleaning products in concentrate form and refill existing bottles.

• Reuse cleaning cloths rather than using disposable alternatives.

• Repurpose old towels as cleaning cloths.

• Reuse tourist maps and visitor information where possible.

• Use email communication in place of printed correspondence whenever possible.

• Collect guest information digitally prior to arrival.

• Provide digital access to newspapers and magazines.

• Print double-sided when printing is unavoidable.

• Reuse printed paper as note paper where appropriate.

• Maintain a digital-first approach to brochures and guest information.

• Avoid requiring printed booking confirmations or vouchers.

• Use LED lighting throughout our properties.

• Operate timers and automatic sensors on lighting and ventilation systems.

• Use energy-efficient boilers and appliances.

• Fit thermostatic controls to heating systems.

• Heat guest rooms only when occupied.

• Maintain double glazing throughout our properties.

• Install additional insulation whenever refurbishment works allow.

• Operate a towel and linen reuse programme.

• Turn off non-essential equipment during quieter periods and seasonal closures.

• Monitor energy consumption regularly.

• Use quick-drying bedding and dressing gowns to reduce drying times and energy consumption.

• Install dual flush toilets and water-saving fittings.

• Use flow restrictors on taps to reduce water consumption.

• Reduce hot water waste through efficient plumbing systems.

• Use water-efficient appliances and operating procedures.

• Source food locally to reduce food miles.

• Prepare many breakfast items in-house.

• Carefully manage food purchasing to minimise waste.

• Recycle food waste through local authority schemes.

• Ensure used cooking oil is converted into biodiesel.

• Repurpose surplus fruit into smoothies and preserves.

• Encourage guests to reuse unopened jams and preserves.

• Offer vegetarian and vegan breakfast alternatives.

• Source bedding and linens from suppliers with strong environmental credentials.

• Use thermally lined curtains to improve insulation and reduce heating and cooling demand.

• We wash, dry and iron all our laundry to help reduce travel miles 

• Prioritise local suppliers, producers and tradespeople.

• Promote local attractions, restaurants, artists and independent businesses.

• Encourage guests to spend money within the local economy.

• Support local charities and community organisations.

• Pay suppliers promptly to support local businesses.

• Source handmade and locally crafted furnishings and decorative items.

• Encourage guests to travel by train, bus, bicycle or on foot.

• Provide information on public transport and walking routes.

• Consolidate deliveries and buy in bulk where practical.

• Use virtual meetings where appropriate to reduce travel.

• Car share when attending industry events and awards.

• Feed and support local birdlife.

• Maintain wildlife-friendly gardens and outdoor spaces.

• Plant flowers that support pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

• Avoid chemical pesticides wherever possible.

• Use peat-free compost.

• Compost or recycle garden waste.

• Plant wildflowers to encourage biodiversity.

• Encourage guests to reduce water and energy consumption during their stay.

• Encourage guests to recycle and participate in sustainable practices.

• Promote low-impact tourism and responsible enjoyment of the local environment.

• Raise awareness of environmental issues through guest communications and information.

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We welcome any more suggestions from our guests on ways to improve our green business.

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Policy reviewed annually.

Next review date: March 2027.