As you may know, we have been taking some serious steps towards improving our environmental sustainability here at UNISON Croyde Bay Resort. Last year we took some great steps and this year we look to improve even more. Here’s an update from our Environmental Coordinator, Dean Parish.
“2018 was a fantastic step in the right direction for UNISON Croyde Bay Resort. We have eliminated large amounts of unnecessary plastic waste from the Resort, making sure it is replaced with environmentally friendly alternatives. It was difficult, talking to staff and teaching them to order differently, or to promote products in a different way. I was sceptical at first, wondering if people thought it was just a ‘fad’ but the staff have really taken to it, and our customers seem to have taken to it as well. Not a week goes by without someone asking about our recycling facilities on site or what we are doing for the environment. It’s good to know that our hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.
Now the goal for 2019 is to take this further. I am sure you have all seen the news headlines about the need to look after our environment sooner rather than later. As a green person myself, it is nice to know it is no longer the minority that want to help. If someone told 12 year old me (who has just attended a Devon County Schools Waste Conference) that making my mum use reusable sandwich bags or recyclable foil in my packed lunch rather than one-use cling film to help reduce waste, that then 15-20 years down the line recyclable packaging would soon be the norm, I don’t think I would of believed it.
Here at Croyde Bay, we will always make further steps to not only reduce the amount of plastic available, but work further with our suppliers to try to decrease the amount of non-recyclable waste that enters the resort to begin with. Together we can all achieve more.”
Goals Achieved in 2018:
REPLACE PLASTIC DRINK BOTTLES – SHOP & BAR
REPLACE PLASTIC BIN LINERS
REPLACE TAKEAWAY STAFF DRINKS CUPS
REPLACE PLASTIC SAUCE BOTTLES
REPLACE TAKEAWAY FOOD CONTAINERS
REPLACE PLASTIC STRAWS
REDUCE PAPERWORK/LEAFLETS GIVEN OUT
MAKE HOUSEKEEPING CHEMICALS MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY
Goals already Achieved in 2019
| AIM: | STATUS: |
| REDUCE WASTE ENDING UP ON CROYDE BEACH | Achieved Guests love to make the most of Croyde Beach, but with a lack of bins on the beach, sometimes waste was being left. We have paid for a 2 Minute Beach Clean Board, situated by our beach gate, it provides bags and litter pickers, not only encouraging people to clean up after themselves, but to do a bit for any other waste washed up on the shoreline. Working with the local Beach Ranger and other businesses providing similar boards, we hope this will decrease the amount of waste on the beach. |
| INDIVIDUAL SOAPS IN LODGES | Achieved We now have soap dispensers to be fitted in all our accommodation, not just hotel rooms. |
Aims for 2019:
| AIM: | STATUS: |
| REPLACE PLASTIC MILK BOTTLES |
A supplier of Glass Bottles was found in 2018, but unable to meet volumes that the resort requires.
To be investigated further in 2019. |
| PLASTIC SAUCE SACHETS – TAKEAWAY | We still offer Plastic sachets for sauces for takeaway food. ALTERNATIVES: Possibilities include offering sauces to customers before they leave the counter (similar to Salt & Vinegar at a Chip Shop) |
| PVC GOLF BALLS |
The mini golf balls we sell are solid Plastic.
ALTERNATIVES: Either look for a different construction of ball (if possible) or encourage guests to return them as they can be reused for other customers |
| PLASTIC MILK BOTTLES AND SACHETS FOR ROOMS |
These products still use plastic.
ALTERNATIVES: Look into further ways we can reduce any plastic use in these, explore glass routes further, or look at ways to encourage customers to bring refillable bottles. |
| ONE USE BUTTER PORTIONS AT BREAKFAST |
Replace with more eco-friendly alternative.
ALTERNATIVE: Investigate individual butter cubes or non-wrapped portions. |
| WORK TO REDUCE PLASTIC PACKAGING FURTHER |
Whilst reducing our visual plastic waste, suppliers still send out items with unnecessary plastic packaging.
ALTERNATIVES: Work with Suppliers to see if they can help us find better packaged materials and help support their own efforts to encourage manufacturers to reduce wasteful packaging. |
