Avron House - Environmental Policy

• Throughout the Guesthouse we use low energy bulbs. When switching on lights the bulbs warm up to their full brightness.
• We do not leave appliances on stand-by, and encourage our guests to switch off equipment in their rooms that is not being used (eg. showers, TV, phone chargers).
• Our heating system and water heaters are regularly serviced to ensure they are working effectively and efficiently. All radiators are fitted with thermostats.
• Avron House is connected to a water meter to help us monitor our water usage. We have water butts located around the property to save rain water for watering the garden, washing cars, etc. All our en-suites are showers rooms, and guests are encouraged to use water wisely during their stay.
• All toilets are being replaced with modern dual-flush cisterns that hold less water.
• Our linen policy is that towels and sheets are changed once per week to reduce the amount of water used and detergents going into the watercourse.
• Our business and personal trips by car are combined wherever possible to limit unnecessary travelling. If our destination is within walking distance, then we walk. We encourage our guests to walk to local destinations, or use the regular and reliable public transport system. Maps, bus times and train times are provided if required.
• In order to cut down on waste packaging, the individual toiletries in the guest rooms will replaced with hand pump wall dispensers containing liquid soap, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel.
• We source our products from local suppliers where possible.
• Scrap paper is used for taking telephone messages and for note pads.
• We recycle glass, paper and cardboard. If the items are not collected by the Local Authority then we take them to the recycling centre in Paignton. Guests are encouraged to recycle as much as possible. We are currently looking for a recycling centre that will take plastic.
• We compost our food waste in our garden composter.
• We recycle all our printer ink cartridges.
• We recycle carrier bags by using them as bin liners in guest rooms.
• We are a non-smoking establishment.
• Plants are placed around the house as a natural way of creating clean air.
• We are in the process of creating natural habitats within our gardens for birds and insects. We have a bird bath and bird feeders in the rear garden which prove very popular (to the squirrels as well as the birds!), and a pond in the front garden with our two resident goldfish (Vera and Ronnie).