Here at Stoer Bay we pledge to continually do what we can to reduce our carbon footprint.
What we are doing so far
Since purchasing the chalets at the end of 2017 we have taken the following steps within our chalets and in the surrounding area.
Reducing heat loss and preventing damp
We have upgraded the windows and external doors in all the chalets. Reroofed and re clad externally where necessary and put a rising damp preventative system into our wooden chalets foundations.
Electricity
All our light bulbs are now LED, and external motion lights are solar powered.
Heating is electric – using a sustainable energy supplier and using thermostatically controlled heaters. We have replaced all electrical equipment throughout the chalets and have tried to buy replacements that are as energy efficient as we are able.
Reducing landfill
We have facilities for recycling, with separate bins for land fill, glass and mixed recycling We have a waste facility in each kitchen for used oil to prevent this going down drains.
We also ask guests not to bin any unopened unwanted foods at the end of their stay but to leave and we will donate to a local food bank.
Eco Friendly products & reducing plastic waste
We try to use as much environmentally friendly cleaning products as we possibly can and buy in bulk containers. Our eco hand soap & washing up liquids we provide are dispensed from bulk containers into reusable dispensers as necessary.
We offer the use of ego eggs with our washing machine which replaces the need for using washing powder/liquids in the wash and ask if not using them to use non biological powder. Though Tarka does have a tumble drier (with dryer eco eggs provided, these reduce the drying time needed) we do though encourage guests to line dry outdoors using natural wind & solar power or on a clothes horse provided if necessary.
Water
Our water heaters have all been upgraded to modern more efficient heaters with capacity for the usage necessary in our chalets. Our kitchen taps are fitted with aerators and so far, we have changed 2 out of 3 of our toilets to dual flush. Our outside cold water shower – for removing excess sand/mud from humans, pets and anything else, has an automatic switch off to reduce waste usage.
Shoreline rubbish
When out enjoying our beautiful shorelines we take what rubbish we can home that is washed up in the tides.
Recycling and reusing
We love a bit of recycling and reusing at Stoer Bay and will do this whenever we can. When refitting the chalets 80% of the old furniture and old kitchens were donated to be reused and we purchased 2nd hand items where we could. We also ask that guests read and follow the recycling & waste guidelines left in our welcome folder in regards to their household waste whilst staying with us.
Wildlife
Our flower bed of wild iris, garlic, mint & nettles attract moths, butterflies, toads frogs, beetles, bees, slugs & snails.
Some of the plants growing in our wildflower meadow includes buttercups, cowslip, daisy & Orchid…….as well as an Oak tree that our son planted from an acorn many years ago. The reeds which we gather after stormy weather from our loch side are now a thriving shelter for frogs, newts & toads. Our bird tables attract many local wild birds including Wagtails, Robins, chaffinch & Starling as well as the odd visit from the local ducks, oyster catchers and gulls.