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Aaran Guest House Green Awareness Statement
Introduction

While there may be discussion surrounding the facts and theories of human activities causing global climate warming, there is no doubt that saving energy and minimising waste makes good economic and ecologic sense. Aaran House Hotel is committed to improving our Green Awareness credentials and taking action to reduce waste and energy costs wherever possible and reasonable, consistent with your seaside holiday enjoyment.

Policy Statement

ѫ      Aaran Guest House is committed to minimising waste and energy loss, consistent with providing the best possible b and b experience for our guests during their holiday with us

ѫ      We will embrace actions to achieve these aims and replace inefficient equipment and methods as soon as reasonable

ѫ      We will endeavour to improve our knowledge and practice of Green Awareness principles and seek to communicate Green Awareness to our guests and through our website

We are carrying out these activities in connection with the Jurassic Coast Quality Business Scheme and the Dorset and New Forest Tourism Partnership.

Welcome on a plate 2008

You can contact us with comments and suggestions via email at - denise.groves@sky.com

Reducing energy usage

ѫ      Fluorescent, compact fluorescent and low-energy lights are used throughout the owner's accommodation areas. The entrance hallway uses compact fluorescent lamps and there are compact capsule lamps in the lounge and dining room. Safety and intermittent usage considerations mean the emergency luminaires, the stairway lights, shaving lights and external lighting are unchanged (as yet). The stairwell lights are on delay-timer switches and some room lights have been changed to compact fluorescents.

ѫ      The central heating system is controlled via thermostatic radiator valves and is switched via a timer (to reduce heating cycles during the day when the guests are normally out). Many of the radiators have been replaced with higher efficiency units and work is ongoing to box in and/or insulate hot pipes. We turn radiators off when guests leave (also some guests do this for us).

ѫ      A number of alterations may not currently be permitted because the building has listed status (Grade II*), including sun-pipe (for the upper stairwell), solar panels, double-glazing, wall and roof insulation. For example, a window (if permitted) at the top of the stairwell would (during daylight hours) enable reduced electric lighting and improve visibility and safety in that area.

ѫ      Major appliances have been replaced with "A" rated equipment and we now switch most appliances off completely, rather than leaving them on standby. We have noted some guests follow our example and also switch off TV's completely rather than leaving them on standby.

ѫ      We only serve full cooked breakfast from *:30 to 9:00 a.m., to reduce heating energy requirements. This also helps to minimise food wastage that might otherwise be incurred from  multiple sittings.

Reducing water usage

ѫ      At present, Aaran House has an un-metered supply, in common with most guesthouses, due to financial constraints. We hope that our guests will co-operate in trying to reduce their water consumption, including not requiring towels to be laundered excessively frequently and moderating their use of shower/bath facilities.

ѫ      Unfortunately, we have no space to start rainwater- or grey-water collection and reuse.

 

Local purchasing and reducing carbon footprint due to transport

ѫ      Most of our food, cleaning (etc) supplies are purchased within walking distance.

ѫ      Otherwise, we rely on our suppliers being carbon-aware (e.g. local source, multi-drop-off).

ѫ      Several of our breakfast items are locally sourced and we use recycled goods where practicable (e.g. micro-fibre cloths, tissues, etc). Our personal petrol consumption has dropped by over 90% since 2008.

Minimising waste

ѫ      We have very little storage space for waste so we have it taken by authorised agent under annual waste transfer note, according to Duty of Care Regulations and as directed by Environmental Health authorities. We reuse packaging (eg plastic bags) where possible. We would advocate any initiative to reduce packaging waste.

ѫ      We like to offer a hearty breakfast and offer a selection from the available menu, hopefully avoiding waste as far as possible. Food waste is separated as far as practicable, into plastic bags, collated into black bags.

Wildlife and Landscape

ѫ      Weymouth is blessed to have 2 RSPB reserves within easy walking distance. A number of unusual, even rare, species can be seen (eg. Cetti's Warbler, Bittern, breeding Marsh Harriers, as well as otters, Nathusius' Pipistrelle, etc) and expert advice is available as well as guided walks, observation hides etc. Portland Island is one of the main jumping-off points for migratory birds, also being home to numerous wild flowers. At Studland Bay, we are fortunate to have a site of international scientific importance with a population of sea-horses and local waters afford a very wide range of fish and other marine species.

ѫ      The Jurassic Coast is a tremendous asset, right on our doorstep, with many features and attractions to explore (e.g. Durdle Door, Cliffs, Chesil Beach, fossil grounds and Lyme Regis bay, Kimmeridge, pirate coves/Portland, Abbotsbury tropical gardens and Swannery).


Links

Contact Information

Address:

Aaran House

2 The Esplanade

Weymouth

Dorset  DT4 8EA

Telephone:  01305 766669

Email:  denisegroves@sky.com

www.aaranhouse.co.uk

We welcome your feedback to help us continuously improve our ecological impact and your Holiday

If you have any comments please email              denisegroves@sky.com

Created on : 03/10/2010

Updated on: 16/12/2010

Comments - please feel free to email your suggestions for reducing our carbon footprint

Owner's comments -

1.      We have replaced a number of incandescent light fittings and bulbs wherever possible with long-life compact fluorescent and LED bulbs.  We would comment that it probably pays to shop around for products intended to provide environmental consideration in terms of lower power usage or alternative materials (etc) to ensure they are robust and long-lived, to avoid undermining their green benefits.

2.     As an example of packaging waste, when we came to replace our 4th (unreliable) vacuum cleaner 2010, we were confronted with about 1 kilo of packaging materials, occupying 1 cubic metre of space and consisting of 17 packaging items and different materials (limited reuse or recycling potential). We would welcome any initiatives on "smart" packaging from our supplier companies

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