Corporate and Social Responsibility
Environmental Policy
In a drive to establish best practice in the development and management of eco-tourism matters, Retallack Resort & Spa embraces as policy the guidelines set out by the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS).
The GTBS is an environmental accreditation scheme for tourism related businesses, launched in the late1990s by VisitScotland. The scheme encourages tourism businesses to improve their environmental performance by developing and implementing cost efficient ways of conserving energy, recycling waste and where appropriate, encouraging the wildlife, flora and fauna within its grounds.
The Green Tourism Award
In 2008, Retallack Resort & Spa joined GTBS to ensure all was being done in their commitment to the environment, social responsibility and sustainable tourism. Retallack Resort & Spa’s performance was first evaluated in 2008 and this assessment resulted in the hotel being granted the Silver Award recognition.
Having evaluated advice and recommendations from GTBS in 2008 furthered by a ‘don’t sit on your laurels attitude’ Retallack Resort continues to strive to further improve the performance of the business and this year having implemented many additional ecological strategies, Retallack Resort is going for the Gold Award standard - the highest award achievable.
The following are examples of current practices adopted:
Energy
- Radiator thermostats are installed in all houses, public areas and offices so that individual room temperatures can be separately controlled.
- All boilers are A rated and are maintained yearly with weekly checks prior to guest arrivals with burn efficiency tests showing efficiency levels of over 80%.
- All accommodation benefits from modern wall insulation and being double glazed with ‘K’ glass and argon gas filled thus improving heat retention.
- Energy saving lamps have replaced traditional lamps in most locations throughout the resort.
- All new facilities added to Resort are fitted with low energy lighting or PIR sensors
- Dimmer switches are fitted in most accommodation and where not possible GU10 energy efficient bulbs are used.
- Curtains throughout the resorts accommodation are interlined to provide greater insulation.
- Creation of multiple facilities onsite obviates the need for guests to travel offsite to seek entertainment (ie kids club, restaurant, FlowRider)
- Sensor taps and showers are installed in all new changing rooms.
- Thermostats are set to 'frost' stat when houses are unoccupied.
- PIR sensors have been installed in all new changing rooms
- External lighting is fitted with timers or motion sensors.
- Torches in houses are wind up, rather than battery powered.
- Housekeeping and other staff are trained to switch off appliances when not in use.
- Timers have been installed on lighting and heating systems to prevent unnecessary use of energy. .
- Night lights to mirrors have been fitted in all en-suite bathrooms. This obviates the need to put on the main light (and ventilator fan).
- 2011 sees the launch of the 'switch it off' campaign for all staff – Includes PC’s.
- Guests are encouraged to use Bio-travel where taxi's are required
- Guests are given details of local transport networks including railway
Water & Chemicals
- Flow regulators have been fitted to taps throughout the building, wherever practicable.
- Low-flow replacement showers are used to reduce of water usage.
- Smaller dual-flush cisterns are installed so as to reduce water usage.
- The hotel changes towels weekly unless otherwise requested.
- Central washing machines are only used for full loads, and are run at reduced temperatures whenever practical.
- Dosage systems control the dilution and usage of chemicals in central washing machines.
- Dosing systems for housekeeping cleaning products reduces waste and chemical usage and obviates the need to throw away plastic bottles
- Waterless urinals have been fitted to new changing rooms.
- Water butts are in place in the garden to collect rainwater for use in watering planters and shrubbery.
- Bag It & Bin It policy is in place.
- Paraben Free guest amenities are being introduced from April 2011.
- Water treatment plant meets and exceeds some of the most stringent discharge standards in the world - the treated effluent can be reused for irrigation of: Plants/woodlands/gardens & Golf courses
Waste and Recycling
- Recycling centre for clean waste paper, plastic & glass has been established for guests, health club and restaurant.
- Recycle bar glass bottles and broken bottles – using glass recycling bins
- Recycle cardboard at neighbour’s cardboard bailer.
- Recycle all waste paper – providing recycling boxes in all departments/offices
- Recycle printer cartridges and send to local charity.
- Recycle jiffy bags / boxes for future posting
- Recycling bins in properties allow guests to recycle during their stay.
- Returnable packaging for suppliers are returned eg milk crates/ bread trays/gas bottles/beer barrels
- Composting area introduced at recycling centre for restaurant & guest green waste.
- Operating the 'Think before you print' campaign on all emails.
- Promote double sided printing for staff where possible
- Promote E-Brochure for guests over hardcopy
- Where batteries were required for torches, wind up torches are in place
Flora & Fauna
Retallack Resort & Spa are committed to providing a wide range of wildlife habitats throughout the Resort and promoting environmental education. Retallack Resort have carried out the following measures to promote flora and fauna:
- Two substantial wild flower areas created - fantastic environments for insects birds and small mammals, as well as being visually pleasing.
- Continue to plant native trees and nutur the natural surrounding habitat
- Increasing feeding stations for wild birds and providing them with essential cover.
- Increasing the amount of bird and mammal boxes on resort – including the installation of a barn owl box and protection of rough margins for hunting.
- We aim to introduce a scheme for children to plant a sunflower area – encouraging the children to be understand their environment, providing essential food for insects and birds.
- We are preparing a nature trail for guests to enjoy and interact with nature; along with a nature treasure hunt for children.
- Local schools will be invited for nature walks.
- Nature bookshelf added to coffee bar with a nature diary, maps and local attractions
- Sedum roof
Purchasing
- Wherever possible, Retallack Resort seeks to purchase from local suppliers, therefore reducing the impact on the environment associated with the transportation of goods. This policy runs through from the restaurant to our developments who source local materials (such as Cornish Stone from a local quarry)
- From 2011 new suppliers will be screened for their CSR
- When the option exists, we aim to select suppliers who can demonstrate that they have sound environmental policies in place in the running of their businesses, e.g Eden Project and Bio-travel.
- Stationery and marketing materials – paper from 100% post consumer waste is to be preferred moving forward.
- Consideration will be given to purchasing locally produced foodstuffs, with welcome hampers stocked only with local produce.
- Local produce and fair trade is takes priority with local craft products being sold in summer months in surf store.
- Vegetarian and vegan food options are available to guests in the restaurant.
- Retallack Resort prefers paper products that are produced from 100% recycled material or from wood sourced from sustainable forestry.
- We endeavour to ensure that detergents used in the hotel are phosphate and chlorine free.
- Retallack Resort in 2011 takes on a paraben free green guest amenity product.
- Equipment purchasing practice includes the identification of low energy appliances when replacing existing equipment.
- We “bulk buy” wherever practicable, thereby reducing the amount of packaging for recycling.
Travel
- Public Transport and access statement
- Bike hire
- Car free activities
- Walks and cycling
- Electric Golf Buggies
- Give the car a holiday promotion - Kids club activity
- Bodmin railway and pickup from Bio Travel
- Where applicable staff can work from home 4 days over the month
- Future plan of Plant a Tree to off set C02 emissions
Green Team
A "Green Team" has been established comprising nominated members of staff from various departments.
Through the efforts and initiatives of the team, staff awareness of the Resorts ‘Green Policy’ and wider environmental issues is promoted. Team members are expected to lead by example, and encourage sound environmental practice in their own and other departments.
The team is looking into ways in which energy use and waste creation in the Resorts individual departments can be measured, with a view to introducing specific targets for reduction.
Staff members are encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport to commute to and from work, whenever possible. Electric golf buggies have been introduced in 2011 for staff and guests where walking or cycling is not possible.
Social & Community
As a large business Retallack Resort have compiled a CSR report.
As part of our community programme our spa, health club and FlowRider are all open to locals so that staff can be employed year round.
Retallack Resort Health Club lead charity ‘The Precious Lives Appeal’ - £4386.93 raised for their new centre from April 2009 to Feb 2010
Retallack Resort operates a 100% non-smoking policy for all houses
The spa uses aromatherapy products offering holistic treatments including Indian head massage, well being with holistic activities eg yoga classes are offered along side the facilities of the steam room for relaxation and contemplation.
We seek to assist and support local causes wherever possible. For instance:
We have hosted the first disabled Flowriding competition here.
We are intending to start a staff beach cleaning spree in summer 2011!
The hotel seeks other ways of supporting local projects concerned with environmental issues, and when suitable opportunities arise, staff will be encouraged to participate in such projects.
The ‘Green Folder’
This folder includes information relating to public transport and other environment matters which may be interesting and helpful to visitors to the Resort. Please ask for the folder at Reception. If there is any additional information which you think could be included in the ‘Green Folder’ please let us know.
Feedback
We would welcome guests' comments on their experience of the Resorts environmental efforts, and any suggestions as to what we might do to enhance them will be considered.
Plans and Ideas for the future
- Battery recycling
- Rain water harvesting is to implemented in 2011 at the resort FlowRider to minimise water loss.
- Code 6 New Building control levels 5 years in advance
Our Commitment
Retallack Resort commits to comply with any relevant environmental legislation.
Retallack Resort commits to continuously improve in sustainability.
Retallack Resort commits to minimising and preventing pollution.