Like a lot of people, we are concerned about the environment we live in! We try to limit the effects we have at the Lodge. For those that are interested, here are some of the things we do here…

Recycling
Tins, glass, plastics and cardboard are all recycled here; newspapers we use as mulch, in our compost or as a fire starter! And of course – we recycle empty whisky containers and use them as decoration! (Or inspiration?!)

Vegetable matter
The animals love the pulp from the fruit/veggie juices and the chooks get the toast, bacon rinds etc. All other vegetable matter is composted and returned to the garden.

Food
Our bacon is cured by the local butcher who sources ‘Happy pigs!’ (Ie from places that treat and feed their animals well etc.) She also recycles the meat that has gone out of date for human consumption to make Kali’s food. A dog breeder herself, she adds essential minerals and veggies. Honey is sourced locally and we try to support the other local businesses as much as we can. (Including the pubs!) Likewise, we support our local organic farm - eggs (when our chooks get into a grump!) and salads mostly. Our coffee is certified as organic & ‘Fair Trade’ and is roasted in Westport. Our tea is from ‘Tea Total’ who buy it direct – cutting out the middlemen and giving the growers a fair price

Power & water
Our largest hot water tank is heated by the log burner – we are looking at alternative heating for the others. (For every tree we burn we try to replant at least one more tree.) Low wattage light bulbs are used where possible. As you can imagine, we get through lots of washing here! We use ‘eco-wash balls’ which save on water, heating and use of excess chemicals. We ‘air-dry’ when we can – outside and/or in. When we do use the dryer, we use ‘softening balls’ instead of chemical fabric softeners. Liquid soaps are used and large refillable containers for shower gel – rather than creating lots of waste with small soaps and plastic bottles. We encourage bird and insect life by planting suitably and steering away from harmful chemical use in the garden.

We end up taking one full garbage bag (mostly full of plastic wrapping etc) to our local dump every fortnight on average - which we’re quite pleased with!

However, we’re sure we can do better – so any suggestions you may have would be welcome!