GREEN INFO

At Lifton Hall we're very conscious about the impact that a hotel, bar and restaurant can have on the environment. We try to keep a 'green' eye everything we do, whether that's decisions about the up-keep and running of the building, or about the services we provide.

We were delighted to be given a Silver Award by the Green Tourism Business Scheme. The award recognises the 'green' things that we're already doing and gives us suggestions so we can work towards a Gold Award.

We always look for ways to reduce the energy we use and the carbon foot-print we tread. The following are a few of the things we're doing.

Lighting

A huge amount of electricity is used keeping the hotel lit. Where possible we have installed low energy light bulbs and our aim is to replace them all. Low energy bulbs use a massive 80% less electricity than standard bulbs.

It's been a challenge to find low energy bulbs for some of our lights, especially the chandeliers. We need bulbs that not only look right but can be dimmed. Thanks to a few inventive suggestions from local suppliers we think we're there.

Heating

We want all our customers to feel warm and cosy during their stay with us, especially during the long winter months. Each guest room has at least one radiator that's fitted with its own thermostat, so that the room's temperature can be individually controlled. When rooms aren't occupied we turn the radiators down - and back up again when a guests is expected.

We've fitted a Savastat device to our boiler which cleverly helps to reduce the amount of energy used heating the building. The Savastat can typically reduce energy consumption by as much as 20%.

Laundry

We're saving energy by doing most of our laundry on site, which reduces our laundry miles. Like many hotels around the world, we are keen to reduce the amount of laundry we do and encourage our guests to reuse the towels rather than request fresh ones every day.

We've recently started putting two pillows on each double bed (one on each single), rather than four. This reduces the amount of pillow cases we wash each day by almost a half. Extra, freshly laundered pillows are available in the wardrobe.

Recycling

It possibly goes without saying, but we try to recycle as much as we can. At the moment this includes: paper, card, glass, plastic, ink cartridges and tins/cans. We also compost a lot of our food waste.

Where possible we use recycled products, such as envelopes, printer paper, and pencils made from old newspapers. We're always on the look-out for different things to try.

Water

We have a programme in place to fit all our showers with water saving showerheads. They cleverly mix air with the water and use approximately 75% less water without compromising on the shower experience.

Our toilets are fitted with 'Hippos' that reduce the volume of each flush and save an amazing amount of water over the year.

Other green issues

Electrical appliances on stand-by can use as much as 90% of their normal energy consumption. Our TVs are designed to use virtually no energy in stand-by mode.

We try to buy as much of our food and drink from local suppliers so that we can reduce our food miles. We also try to buy in bulk and choose suppliers that keep packaging to a minimum. Our coffee machine uses Fairtrade beans, and we have a selection of Fairtrade teas available too.

We use a variety of cleaning products at Lifton Hall and if at all possible look to use low impact products that are friendly to the environment - whilst doing a good job.