This year we have once again been shortlisted for the
District Council’s Green Footprints Awards.
The awards, which are tomorrow, showcase the best that North West Leicestershire has to offer
in sustainable and environmentally responsible organisations. Last year we were awarded a certificate of
excellence in sustainability but fell short of winning the ‘Greenest small
business’ prize; this year we’ve upped our efforts and hope to grab the gold.
The projects we’ve highlighted in our Green Footprints
application are…
·
Our Biomass Boiler & Sustainable Timber
Production
o
Almost all of our buildings are now heated by
Biomass and we’re working on the rest.
This has vastly reduced the amount of oil, gas and electricity we use.
o
Our boiler is powered by timber grown on the estate;
planted, felled and chipped by us. It is
a sustainable solution which greatly reduces our total carbon footprint.
o
This year we've also planted 600 English Oak
Trees which will not be felled, ever!
·
Our Reed-bed Ecosystem & Natural Sewerage
Treatment
o
Our grey water and sewage is now treated
organically on-site and returned to the water table. A waste removal vehicle is
required only once annually.
o
The reed beds are surrounded by a wild flower
meadow which will further enrich the ecosystem, especially for pollinators.
·
Our Solar-powered Events Space
o
46 photo-voltaic solar panels provide power to
the Barn, Oak Room and Stag Room.
o
This helps make us both a green Wedding venue
and a green meeting venue.
·
Our commitment to Reducing, Reusing and
Recycling waste
o
We purchase locally wherever possible to
minimise transportation and packaging.
o
We produce what we can on-site to eliminate
transport altogether, including Beef and Venison from our own herds.
o
We recycle everything but food waste.
Being an environmentally friendly hotel has always been very important to us at Donington Park Farmhouse Hotel. It’s part of being responsible as a business and more importantly as a group of people. Unlike many other
hotels, for us being green isn't about creating a selling point; we do it because it matters to us.
Fingers crossed for the Green Footprint Awards tomorrow!
