About Us - ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

At Birchfield we try to minimise the impact of our activities on the environment whilst enhancing our bio diversity.

Litter - By means of regular litter walks and constant monitoring of the dustbin area we aim to keep litter levels to zero.

Waste - We try to separate it into its component parts to be recycled on site or exported to where facilities for recycling exist. We reduce wastage and re-use or recycle products wherever possible.

We Seek To - foster a close relationship with our community as a whole and in collaboration with customers, staff and suppliers help to conserve the environment in which we operate.

looking towards the village	wild orchid	birch mhor woodstore

• Aluminium cans collected in a dedicated dustbin for removal to a local centre.
• Waste paper (no cardboard – no staples) collected in a dedicated dustbin for removal to a local centre.Glass (without tops) collected in a dedicated dustbin for removal to a local centre.
• Kitchen Waste to compost heaps (in left hand corner of garden facing main gate) for garden use.
• Fire ash, small cardboard boxes to compost heaps (in left hand corner of garden facing main gate) for garden use.
• Grass cuttings, garden waste to long term compost heaps at foot of lower garden.
• Tree prunings stacked into dead hedges provide shelters for birds and mammals.
• Septic Tanks (we are not on main drains). We do not use bleach and provide environmentally friendly cleaning agents wherever possible.
• We seldom have a bonfire.

Energy

• Wood. We utilise fallen timber and prunings from our site and locally sourced logs (mostly birch) for burning.
• Heating oil is acquired from ethically operated suppliers according to availability.
• Coal (for Birch Croit’s open fire) is the smokeless variety.
• Peat. Locally sourced crofter’s peat is occasionally used.
• Electricity is supplied under a “green” scheme from local Scottish Hydro Electric operated by the RSPB. We use low energy and reflector light bulbs in suitable locations and time clocks.

vegetable garden	bird feeding station	ringing swifts

Water

We collect rain water from some roofs in water butts. We have two shallow pools in the bog garden which are drinking holes for birds and mammals and sustain their own aquatic life.

We try to use water saving devices e.g. including hippos in cisterns or a dual flush cistern and so on. We believe that the installation of dishwashers in the cottages would be a development too far, for our site.

Although we read meters for electricity and, where appropriate, oil with you so you can monitor your own consumption, we also check each cottages' water meter to assess consumption even though there is no separate charge to visitors.

Products

We use recycled paper at home and in our office, environmentally friendly laundry aids and pump sprays for cleaning processes. Our principle source of foodstuffs and cleaning products is Highland Wholefoods (www.hihoco.com) and Fair Trade. All purchases are made with consideration of the environment in mind.

Birchfield Cottages supports SWAN (Strathspey Waste Action Network). Our green policies are independently audited by Green Business UK Ltd. Under the Green Tourism Business Scheme (www.green-business.co.uk).

To Book phone: 01479 821613