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.
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 to 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.
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.
Products
We use recycled paper at home and in our office, environmentally
friendly laundry aids and pump sprays for cleaning processes.
Our principle sourse 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.
