As we grow as an organisation, we aim to continue our commitment to environmental sustainability. Here are examples by department of things we do as part of this commitment.
Events & Filming
- Re-purpose film props wherever possible, including: chairs, curtains and timber to build props for in-house events.
- Re-use art fixtures here in the house to avoid waste – 21 portraits now hang in the Oak Staircase.
- Only work with films crews who are ALBERT registered – an accreditation that shows crews have signed up to the environmental sustainability principles (Studio Sustainability Standard).
Fundraising
- Re-purpose original materials from Wentworth Woodhouse to create fundraising items, such as:
– Clocks made from original roof slates and timber frames
– Tea light holders made from excess copper
– Tote bags made from the old Garden deck chair fabric
– Lamps and sun dials made from original stone balusters
– Keyrings made from original roof tile slate
Gift Shop
- Source local products wherever possible to mitigate transport pollution.
- Source from only UK brands.
- Prioritize sustainable packaging and the use of paper bags.
Marketing
- Use recycled paper for printed brochures and leaflets.
- Prioritize sustainably sourced merchandise e.g seed packets and branded fruit rather than one-use plastic items.
- Re-use foamex boards multiple times to reduce their environmental impact.
- Send newsletter’s via email rather than on paper.
Gardens
- Use water harvesting equipment to collect rain water for watering plants in the Gardens.
- Re-use and re-purpose old materials to build equipment and fixtures for the Forest of Bewilderment activities.
- Create dead hedging areas to encourage wildlife – sustaining a healthy eco-system in the Gardens.
- Seed collection and propagation of Bee & Butterfly friendly perennials, encouraging & sustaining pollinators.
- Ensure areas of the grass are left uncut to benefit our wildlife such as, birds, bees and butterflies.
- Actively encourage a conservation and sustainability ethos through educational materials with garden visitors, community groups and schools.
Catering
- Use local suppliers within a 40 mile radius who prioritize locally-sourced produce.
- Work with Doncaster based company, ReFood, for sustainable food waste management.
- Re-use disposable items wherever possible and request the same from our suppliers to deliver in re-usable trays.
- Aim to use as little one-use plastic as possible.
- Use produce and ingredients from our Gardens such as the honey from our bees on-site.
- The food menu is 50% vegetarian and vegan, 25% fish and 25% meat.
Community & Education
- Use of electric minibus.
- Greenhouse project, re-purposing glass from the Camellia House.
- Wild at Heart project increases children’s awareness of birds and bugs using nature-based crafts and re-cycled materials.
- Projects to increase biodiversity and habitats in the Gardens.
- Community gardening groups for well-being aim to develop an area for seasonal vegetables to be grown and used in the Butler’s Pantry Café.
Volunteering
- Prioritize re-cycled and eco-friendly materials in the Crafting Trailer activities.
Site Management
- LED lightbulbs now in place across 98% of the site.
- Insulating all new roofs (60% completed at the Mansion since 2017).
- Moving to ground source heating (work has already begun on this at the Stables).
- Exploring use of solar panels.
- Exploring ways to control our heating before major capital works take place.
General
- Betterworld water filter system in situ with re-useable water bottles provided to all staff and volunteers to reduce single-use plastic.
- All general waste is managed by KCM Waste in Rotherham who recycle 99% of all waste they receive and are working towards a zero-landfill policy.