Green Policy

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• With plastic being one of the biggest pollutants in our oceans we are endeavouring to minimise single use products. The body wash and shampoo supplied are in refillable dispensers, sourced from a supplier committed to reducing plastic waste, Walter Geering. Although this is only a slight change, we estimate it has led to 6,900 fewer plastic bottles being disposed of each year. This is just one example of how even a small change can be effective, something that we want to highlight to our guests, owners, and staff.
• By moving most of our correspondence and marketing online, we have drastically reduced our paper usage. Each year we estimate we save 37,000 sheets of paper by emailing out the AGM information and newsletters alone.
• Many of our owners will be aware that in previous years we’ve made numerous changes to how we dispose of the apartment waste. We have now made it easier than ever. We supply a blue reusable bag to place all mixed recycling into, we then collect it from your apartment door each morning and sort it.
• Food Waste bins are now supplied in every apartment, these are collected and emptied 3 times a week.

Conserving Energy

• By making the switch to LED light bulbs in all apartments, communal areas, and staff areas we have been able to reduce the amount of energy lost through lighting. LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than incandescent or halogen bulb of equivalent brightness. Speaking of lighting we have also installed sensor lights into all Houses, reducing the unnecessary wastage of energy when no ones around.
• To reduce energy being lost through unnecessary heating we have installed thermostatic controls. The heating will only come on if the outdoor temperature drops below a certain level.
• Dual flushes have been fitted to all apartment toilets. Every time you choose to use the smaller flush you save around 2 litres of water.
• Houses 1, 2, 12 and 14 have been fitted with automatic door closures to help prevent unnecessary heat loss overnight.

Sourcing Responsibly

• We have a dedicated team of local trades people we use for all refurbishments or development works on the apartments and building.
• Where possible we endeavour to use independent local retailers.
• We are conscious of materials used, energy produced, and labour involved in production of products used here at The Osborne. We have a dedicated member of staff for the procurement of items, who carefully controls purchasing to keep waste to the minimum. Where possible we buy in bulk, to reduce mileage and reduce packaging.
• Our cleaning liquids are diluted on site, producing a smaller carbon footprint than if the cleaning company were transporting water filled products.

Transport

• We are in a prime location for joining the coastal path either heading towards the town centre or walking to Babbacombe and St Marychurch, where you can make the most out of our guest discount scheme and visit Bygones.

For information on walks in the local area visit www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk where you can access there walk itinerary, or visit www.englishriviera.co.uk where they list their Top 10 Coastal and Woodland walks.

Other

• We have developed a guest discount scheme to encourage our guests to buy local, eat local and stay local during their stay.
• Any unwanted books, puzzles and DVDs are placed into our library available for guests to use during their stay or take home for a small donation to charity.
• We are proud to be a “Way Maker” for the Southwest Coast Path a charity which helps protect and care for the path and encourage users to use local businesses along the way.

Our Green Team

Factoring the environment into our everyday decision making is becoming more and more important to all the staff at The Osborne. We have developed the green team, comprised of staff from all areas of the business to work together throughout departments to reduce our impact on the environment. The subject has become a topic discussed in the weekly Head of Department meetings.