Our Policies

Environmental Initiatives

The Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa is situated in what is now a designated “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”, a title that has been given to this area since the original golf clubhouse and two championship golf courses were built here in the early 1970’s. Before then this acreage, which was relatively infertile, was used for arable crops. 

The area has now been sensitively transformed into a forested, emerald landscape, full of natural water features, as well as some picturesque lakes which harness the streams for the irrigation of the golf courses and apple orchards.  We planted more than 60,000 indigenous trees over the two courses.

We are proud of this transformation, and are very determined and aware that it is our duty to continue to preserve and enhance the inherent beauty of this special corner of Suffolk. We know that we are only miniscule in the global scheme of things, but all of us here at the Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa are committed to minimise our carbon footprint by implementing as many environmental and sustainable initiatives as possible. 

Greenkeeping Initiatives:

· Sustainable golf, working towards long term ecological and environmental goals.
· We have planted over 60,000 trees during the past 40 years.
· A pro-active woodland management system.
· Pest and disease control are carried out within an IPM (integrated pest management) programme to minimise the   use of fertilisers and chemicals into the environment.
· Regular ecological assessments are carried out via English Nature, STRI and the EGU.  We work closely with the    Environment Agency, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Writtle and Otley Colleges, the PGA and European Seniors Tour to ensure best practice is maintained.
· We log fallen trees into piles to encourage wild life.
· A register is kept of any hazardous materials, and such materials are securely stored and usage is monitored.
· Our hedges are managed to encourage their use as nesting sites for the numerous birds in the area.
· We compost all our grass cuttings and leaves to be re-used on site.
· We have a sophisticated computerised system to make best use of water resources.

Energy/Waste Management Initiatives:

· We use wherever possible low energy lamps equating now to 60% of the hotel lighting or low voltage light fittings.
· The heating/lighting in our new bedrooms is only activated when a key card is placed in a designated slot.
· Most of our public areas, function rooms, toilets etc. are on movement detector sensors which will only activate lights once movement is detected.
· Our heating systems are on time clocks.
· Stopover guests are encouraged to re-use towels/linen each day to save on washing energy and detergent.
· Inverter driven heating systems are used throughout the Hotel as an alternative to more traditional heating systems.
· We use water savers in all flushing toilets.
· Our used fluorescent lamps are separated and go to a specialised disposal company.
· An in-line oil/chemical catchment tank has been fitted to the storm drain leading from the maintenance facility and car park.
· We use thermal covers on the swimming pool and spa to prevent heat. loss when pool areas are closed.
· We use local companies and manufacturers for our produce and supplies.
· Warm air is heated by reclaimed heat from the pool.
· Low levels of chemicals are used in the pool.

Food and Beverage:

· All of our kitchen oil is sent for recycling.
· Bottles are recycled via our own bottle bank. 

Administration:

· Re-use of envelopes and other paper for internal communication.
· Use of e-mail wherever possible to save on paper.
· We recycle our empty ink cartridges and toners.

Health and Safety:

· All staff and machinery are kept to Health & Safety guidelines  alongside an on-going staff training programme.

Employment Policy:

· Wherever possible we will employ local people.
· At each induction and during training it is stressed to new staff members that they have a social and environmental responsibility to turn off lights, heating and air conditioning when rooms are not in use.