Our Sustainability Policy

We don’t claim to be perfect at The Chesterfield Guest House but we are committed to doing good and, as a family passionate about the environment, we’ve woven sustainability into our business. Our journey is a constant evolution and we are always striving to do better.

In a world that is always changing, we embrace our ‘best-for-now’ policy, which is our way of doing things with genuine effort but, behind the scenes, we are always thinking of ideas for a ‘best-for-tomorrow’ future.

Your stay is an opportunity to join our journey, making sure you have a fantastic experience whilst helping the planet to be a little brighter.

Our 'best-for-now'

General

  • Reducing the use of paper by using email whenever possible
  • Turning off unnecessary lights, electrical items and taps
  • Purchasing recycled paper, second hand items and other goods
  • Only using washing machines when there is a full load
  • Buying in bulk
  • Sourcing goods and services locally, where possible
  • Composting all food waste
  • Only having one car in the family household
  • Cycling – Dan always cycles to and from work (Torquay to Bovey Tracey)
  • Recycling as much as possible

Cleaning

  • Washing and reuse cleaning cloths
  • Using old towels as cleaning rags
  • Limiting the use of the tumble dryer and air dry towels and linen, when possible
  • Limiting the use of harmful cleaning chemicals and replace them with eco-friendly products, where possible
  • Using cleaning products from concentrate 5 litre bottles so spray bottles can be reused

Utilities

  • All toilets are fitted with Cisterns Displacement Devices (CDD), saving up to 3 litres of water per flush
  • All sink taps are fitted with flow restrictors to reduce wastage
  • Smartest Energy supplies our electricity; 100% of their electricity comes from renewable sources

Furniture and Decor

  • During refurbishments, furniture is upcycled, sold or donated to local charities or other businesses
  • Items that are broken and cannot be fixed are taken to the rubbish tip and disposed of in the correct way

Guest House

  • Hallway lights are on movement sensors or timers
  • LED lighting, dimmers and motion detectors are used throughout the building
  • Smart eco heating system in the bedrooms reduces energy consumption; each room is heated on an ‘as required’ basis
  • Bedrooms are only heated when in use and, if necessary
  • Tourist leaflets and maps are reused in the display unit
  • Out of date leaflets and magazines are recycled
  • Guest information is collected via email before arrival; we do not use registration cards
  • Some garden lights are powered by solar energy
  • Electrical items throughout the building are turned off during winter
  • Guests are encouraged to recycle items and a recycling bin is provided in the guest lounge
  • The garden is home to plants that aim to encourage wildlife, especially bees
  • Grind coffee pods are used in the coffee machine in the guest lounge; these are completely home compostable and plastic free
  • All beverages in the guest bar fridge are in glass or cans; we do not sell plastic bottles
  • Guests are encouraged to use refillable bottles; the tap water in the buildling is soft and safe to drink
 

Guest Rooms

  • Faith in Nature products are used in refillable containers
  • Half-used toiletries left behind by guests are used by us then recycled
  • Sanitary disposal bags are made from plants or recycled materials
  • Guest bed linen is changed on a weekly basis (if requested)
  • Towels are only changed at guests’ request  (a minimum of every 4 days is suggested)
  • All rooms have en-suite showers rather than baths, reducing wastage
  • All rooms have small kettles or hot water dispensers, reducing water wastage and saving energy
  • Most items on the complimentary tea tray are in refillable containers
  • Unwanted items that are left behind by guests are sent to charity
  • Books that are left behind are added to our guest lounge library –any donations go to local charity.

Local Support

  • Guests are given information on walks, wildlife and local tourism services
  • Employ local contractors
  • Guests are provided with local transport services information
  • Guests are provided with cycle hire information along with details of various cycle routes
  • Local produce is used, where possible
  • Guests are encouraged to explore local attractions on foot, by bicycle or by public transport

Your 'best-for-now' and 'tomorrow' as guests

You can help us by...

  • Turning off lights, televisions and fans when leaving the room
  • Turning off taps, while cleaning teeth
  • Limiting the use of heating and turning it off when a window or door is open to the outside
  • Leaving newspapers, cans and bottles out of the bins so they can be collected separately for recycling
  • Supporting our towel and linen policy (our policy is that towels are changed every 4 days and bed linen is changed weekly)
  • Using refillable water bottles and drinking tap water rather than purchasing plastic bottled water
 
 

Our 'best-for-tomorrow'

We are currently working on...

  • Sourcing bio-degradable rubbish bags
  • Becoming more involved with local community projects
  • Providing a guide book via an app rather than on paper
  • Considering whether solar panels and car charging devices are a viable option for the business
  • Updating our website with green travel information e.g. local bike hire
  • Replacing the few single glazed windows that remain in the building with double glazing
  • Offering accommodation discounts for those who travel to us and around the area on foot, by bicycle or by public transport