Hotels Taking Steps Towards Sustainability in Powys

Embodying a commitment to sustainability, The Old Vicarage prioritizes eco-friendly operations with a focus on minimizing environmental impact. Compliance with environmental legislation and approved codes of practice is a given, but the establishment goes further by actively monitoring and reducing energy, water, and other resource usage. Pollution, emissions, and waste are continually reduced, and risks associated with environmental and social issues are kept to a minimum. There's a conscious effort to participate in sustainable business practices and support other businesses in doing the same. Moreover, the local and wider community are encouraged and assisted in sustainable practices. A key aspect of their strategy includes a continuously reviewed action plan for further improving environmental and social performance.

Visitors to The Old Vicarage also have a role to play in the establishment's sustainability efforts, thanks to the Responsible Visitor Charter. This initiative encourages guests to conserve energy, use local transportation or active travel methods like walking or cycling, shop locally, and recycle. There's an emphasis on respecting nature, whether by using footpaths responsibly or not leaving litter. On-site, the inn operates with a 100% green electricity supply, energy-saving light bulbs, an environmentally friendly wood pellet boiler for heating, and wireless thermostats in public areas. An impressive recycling program is in place, which extends to food waste that is either fed into a local biomass digester to generate electricity or composted for use in the kitchen garden. The Old Vicarage is also exploring a carbon-offset scheme, making it a model for sustainable operations in the hospitality industry.