There is much work to be done in achieving a truly green sustainable business. Having said that, my family and I do practice many examples already which are a great basis to build on.

About Crumplehorn Cottages
Crumplehorn Cottages are seven holiday cottages situated in Polperro and West Looe Cornwall. We advertise mainly on the Internet and do not send a printed brochure unless requested. All correspondence is done via email or on the phone. A good relationship can be built of using these methods of communication and of course I can provide regular updates to guests via email. Our unique selling points are our location actually in the heart of the popular resorts, close to the South West Coastal Path, just a short stroll from the harbour, beach, shops, restaurants, bus stops etc, and private off road parking outside each cottage. I promote the business as a friendly Cornish establishment drawing on my own Cornish heritage.

So how green are we already?

• To encourage our guests to be aware and conserve energy £1.00 coin electricity meters are installed in each cottage.
• To promote green travel we give details of car free travel methods and how to get about when you are here. Bus and train timetables are also provided.
• My web site is my showcase so is regularly refined and added to. We have links to local restaurants and activities that can be undertaken during guests stays.
• Festival and events are highlighted. We promote other sustainable business on our web site i.e. Purely Cornish.
• We have DDA constraints because the cottages are old traditional properties not purpose built accommodation, but we draw people’s attention to this on the web site.
• My emails do use larger size print for legibility.
• We have created a local business cluster, where guests that cannot be accommodated can be passed to others in the cluster. This is done via email forwarding.
• Where possible we catch rainwater in butts to water the garden.
• As our bathrooms are relatively new, each has a small cistern and or dual flush to save water.
• We promote local producers and suppliers to save food miles and shop as locally as possible where costs allow.
• We are active members of SECTA (South East Cornwall Tourism Association) and COAST (Cornwall Sustainable Tourism project).
• We have thermostats on night storage heaters.
• The immersion heater water system is fully controllable, and can be turned on and off as required.
• Extra blankets are supplied for each room. All curtains are lined.
• In response to visitor feedback forms, we have installed electric showers in every bathroom, which has reduced the number the baths taken.
• We recycle most plastic bottles, glass & paper and encourage guests to do the same. We have a kerb side collection every 2 weeks.
• Guests are encouraged to dry their towels on a drying rack or clothes line provided.
• Any appliance will only be replaced when broken and A rating goods sought.

Greening up the business!
Much of the improvements to our green credentials will be ongoing and phased.

Short-term projects

• Work towards accreditation on the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
• Be more vigilant in turning off appliances left on standby and also room lights.
• We are in the process of phasing out ordinary bulbs and changing to low energy.
• SW Tourism cards encouraging turning off appliance left on stand by will be deployed in rooms.

We have made a commitment to ensure we protect the beautiful environment of Cornwall and encourage guests to recycle their rubbish by providing recycling bins. Where possible our cleaning products are environmentally friendly. We are keen for our guests to support other local businesses and in particular reduce food miles.

South East Cornwall Tourism Association (SECTA), in partnership with Caradon District Council, has introduced The SECTA Green Acorn Award Scheme, a voluntary, Green Tourism Award scheme. We have been inspected by South East Cornwall Tourism association and have won Green Acorn accreditation by making at least 25 improvements to reduce the impact of our business, and that of our guests, on the environment.

The Cornwall Sustainable Tourism Project (CoaST) Network provides the opportunity for an association of organisations and individuals committed to the successful development of sustainable tourism in Cornwall to exchange ideas, knowledge and expertise - this is your one-stop shop for help and advice see www.cstn.org.uk