What are we are doing to help the environment? Our cottages have been refurbished to maximise the available technology to save our environment. In almost all instances, this has been done regardless of initial cost.

Energy / Heating

• Energy saving long life bulbs are being used as much as possible.
• Insulation in the roof space is and always has been well above recommended levels of rock wool, usually up to 300mm.
• We use the latest electronic timers on the central heating to control the house temperatures to within 0.5° C
• The whole heating system is on a timed on/off system.
• Each room has its own thermostat (on the radiator) so guests can adjust the room temperature.
• We have zoned areas on the heating systems to control each area in use at a particular time.
• When a room is not in use the central heating is turned off or down to minimum.
• If a cottage in not in use the electronic timers are set to absolute minimum (just to prevent freezing).
• All rooms have secondary glazing or are double glazed.
• The central heating circulation pump is the latest which only uses enough power when required as opposed to the old style which runs flat out all the time. (Instead of 95W – normally it is only 20W to 45W)
• Heating oil is ordered in large quantities to reduce delivery fuel costs/emissions.
• Where possible all appliances are “A” rated (usually the most expensive!)
• The hot water in “Daisy” cottage uses an “instant” hot water heater which only turns on when hot water is required (it does not store any hot water). The boiler does not even have a pilot flame (no wasted gas). It is electronically ignited instantly hot water is required.
• Our house is supplied by a heat recovery system of fresh and vented air.
• Our hot water tank is the latest sealed/insulated type.
• We record all energy (Gas, electric and oil) purchased. (Oil on 9 July 2004 was 24.47p per litre and on 19 February 2008 it was 45.68p per litre!!!)

Waste products / advertising / recycled

• We recycle all newspapers/papers either into our own garden or official recycle bins.
• We do not buy newspapers (TV has most of it!) and magazines are kept to a minimum.
• All bottles are recycled into containers provided in the town. (There is no collection from Manston Guest House.)
• All garden waste is recycled back into the garden.
• Any plastic bags are recycled into the bedroom waste bins, at least once.
• Cleaning materials (fluids) are kept to an absolute minimum (although we have a reputation for spotless rooms!)
• To reduce the quantity of paper used we have invested heavily on Internet marketing and use email etc. whenever possible.
• Small glass bottles we recycle to the neighbours where they are used to bottle home made jam.
• In order to reduce the amount of soap pollution we provide bottles of liquid soap in the bathrooms.
• Any products/items we no longer require are recycled through the charity shops & local recycling for larger items.
• We use recycled building materials whenever possible (such as roof tiles etc.)
• We ask all our guests to observe the strict disposal of sanitary items and provide special bags for this purpose.

Garden

• We use manure from the local farms whenever possible.
• Where possible many of the vegetables we use are grown in our greenhouse and in the garden.
• External night lighting is either long life bulbs (near the garages) or on motion detectors for short periods of night lighting.
• All external lighting in the garden is shielded to reduce light pollution while giving light during early winter evenings. The lights come on at dusk with a light sensor and off after a few hours with a timer.

Water use

• We have installed the latest designed equipment such as taps and showers to minimise water use by the modern design providing low flow while improving the effects of the equipment.
• All toilet cisterns have a small capacity water storage while the toilets are excellent and work very well.
• All toilets have a duel flush system, and flush extremely well.
• All our rooms (including our own house) have showers (no baths). All showerheads are the latest design giving a luxurious shower with reduced water usage.
• We use water butts to collect rainwater where possible.

General

• We have a non-smoking policy, which besides being a lot healthier also reduces cleaning materials, energy, and other waste (additional paints etc.) — it is also a legal requirement since 2007.
• We are a supporter of Dorset wildlife making monthly contributions.
• We provide information on local walks and local cycle hire and routes – one of which passes our door.
• Our local wild birds are provided with purpose made nesting boxes (we have a small colony of sparrows). We also provide them with bird food during the winter months.
• There is a local cycle hire shop within 10 minutes of the house.

Local Produce / Fair Trade

• Wherever possible we source produce locally.
• We produce eggs from our own free range hens or the eggs are bought from the farm a few hundred yards away.
• Bacon and sausages are from the local butcher, when possible.
• Jams and marmalade are produced two doors down the road.
• Milk is delivered to the door (no unnecessary trips to the shops!)
• Local fresh tomatoes and mushrooms are used wherever possible.
• Some items such as coffee & bananas we use “Fairtrade” products wherever possible.
• Through the Shaftesbury & District Tourism Association, we try to promote the use of local products and crafts.

Manston Guest House
Updated March 2008

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