Green Business Tourism Gold Award to Arch House B and B

Green Tourism

Here at Arch House we are committed to being more environmentally aware. Many aspects of Green Tourism are integral to how we live, so working towards a Green Tourism Business Award has provided a structure and aims. It has guided us through a rather large and complex subject.

Working in a more sustainable way, reducing our carbon footprint, minimizing our impact on the environment and encouraging our guests to do the same, does not mean we compromise on the comfort or the 4 star quality of our accommodation.

We will endeavor to raise awareness of environmental matters by providing information in our Green Folder and a wide selection of reference books for guests  .

At Arch House we are committed to continuous improvement and modification of our actions, thus ensuring minimum impact from our business upon our environment.

Here are some actions we take.

• We recycle paper, newspaper, glass and cans in our home based box. When sufficient quantities of cardboard, tins, fabric, plastics, have built up these are taken to the local recycling facility - 2 miles
• Compost all uncooked vegetables and fruit waste
• Egg shells are crushes and used on the allottment to discourage slugs
• Restrict the use of peat based composts and all chemicval pestcides and herbicides in the garden and allottment using only biological controls or plant species which are more resistant to pests
• Reducing use of plastic bags by sustituting 'bags for life'
• We grow as much fruit and vegetables for our and business needs as possible
• We  use Fair Trade products wherever possible
• Much of our food comes from local suppliers and regional and British seasonal food is used wherever possible
• Most our cooked breakfast ingredients come from less than 5 miles away which supports the local farmers
• We use organic produce when available
• We use only internet based marketing. We print no marketing literature
• Paper for the printer is from sustainable managed resources and chlorine free
• As most of our business is via the internet, we or the TIC are able to email 95% of our guests with booking confirmation
• We monitor our electrcity, gas and water bills
• Use low energy lighting where possible
• Within the next year we aim to replace the fridge and freezers to A* rated. The dishwasher has been replaced with an A rated model
• Small capacity kettles for guest bedrooms to reduce the amount of electricity used to boil a kettle
• We ask guests to be water wise by not leaving taps running, use of Eco Showerdrop 
• We use recycled waste bin liners
• Low flush toilets with dual control systems throughout
• Double glazing throughout
• All radiators have thermostatic valves, they can be turned up or down to suit individual guests. We ask if guests will turn the radiator control down rather than open windows
•  Use only environmentally friendly products such as ECOVER for the dishwasher, toilets and washing-up liquid
• Invested in micro-fibre cloths so no chemicals are used in day to day cleaning
• Aiming to use more natural cleaners, dilute vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, left over lemon
• We have begun a towel change policy and thank guests who help us to save water and electricity. By keeping to our towel change policy we are hoping to be able to make a donation to Westonbirt Arboretum for tree planting
• Laundry is line dried in the fresh air rather than using a tumble dryer
• Allowing guest to choose their own breakfast rather than serving a standard plate of food
• Preserving produce as jams and chutneys. Excess fruit and vegetables are frozen for later use. We have bee hives for honey. All jam jars are recycled minimizing glass wastage
• We aim to fit a water butt in the garden as well as the one we already have on the allottment
• We are voluteers serving in our local community village shop which supports
• local producers, Fair Trade and organic products wherever possible
• We are working towards Walkers Welcome, so have dedicated boxes with maps, books of local walks, timetables and information
• We promote car-free days with information on bus and train timetables as well as a wealth of information of what to see 
• We have cycles for hire by guests
• Use only recycled paper toilet rolls and kitchen rolls
• A nature diary for guests use along with bird books and binoculars
• Flora lists for our church yard wildlfe conservation area which we help of maintain
• We are life members of the National Trust and members of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust supporting local projects