TRIGONOS: SOCIAL ENTERPRISE & SUSTAINABILITY

BUSNES CYMDEITHASOL A CHYNALADWYEDD
Ymddiheurwn nad yw'r tudalen hwn ar gael yn y Gymraeg ar hyn o bryd.

 

There are three sides to sustainability in business activity: environment, economy and community. When aiming for sustainable practice all three factors must be given equal consideration from a local through to a global level.

Environment - Ensuring that business engages in the proper and careful use of finite resources and the management of waste so as to minimize the negative and maximize the positive impact of human activity.

Economy - Ensuring that business is financially viable, engages in good employment practice and is of benefit to the economy as a whole.

Community - Ensuring that business is overall of benefit to communities, their culture & heritage and does not endanger them.

 

With this in mind Trigonos has developed the following sustainability policy.

 

ENERGY

We will reduce our negative impact on the local and global environment through prudent use of energy:

  • We have changed our electricity supplier to Good Energy who guarantee 100% renewable energy supply, reducing our CO2 emissions by over 10,000kg];
  • A solar-powered pump has been installed to power a small horticultural irrigation system. The viability of solar panels on main buildings is being looked into;
  • Recent refurbishment to Plas Baladeulyn includes locally made double-glazed windows and Thermafleece insulation; further energy saving improvements and draughtproofing will be made as buildings are maintained and repaired;
  • All our 300w and 500w floodlights have been replaced with low-energy alternatives;
  • 60w and 100w bulbs are being replaced with low-energy bulbs where the fittings allow - other lamps and fittings will be replaced when possible;
  • Workers and visitors are encouraged to turn off electrical goods when not in use, use power-saving options and conserve heat;
  • When electrical goods are replaced energy efficient models will be chosen;
  • We are planning a transition from gas and oil boilers to a wood-chip biomass heating and hot water system.  CO2 emissions will be reduced by 80%, from 87 tonnes to 15 tonnes[2].

 

WASTE
We adhere to the ³reduce, reuse, recycle² principle:

  • Overpackaged products are avoided, whenever possible;
  • We use Evolve  recycled paper (100% post consumer waste) for most office printing, though  necessary quality is not forfeited;
  • Draft documents and file copies are printed on the back of used office paper;
  • Glass, paper, household batteries and aluminium and steel cans are recycled via the doorstep collection scheme;
  • We look forward to Cyngor Gwynedd Council extending this scheme to include cardboard and plastics;
  • All vegetable waste and peelings are composted;
  • Appropriate non-compostable kitchen waste is recycled by feeding to the chickens;
  • Plastic bags are re-used when shopping and to pack veg and fruit sold in our shop;
  • Furniture, electrical hardware and other items are recycled via Antur Waunfawr, charity shops, or other local recycling agencies eg Porthmadog Freecycle.

 

TRANSPORT

Our position some miles from main roads and railway stations creates a challenge where transpost is concerned, especially as local bus services are still being cut rather than improved.  Despite this we:

  • encourage workers to use public transport to get to and from work, with flexible working hours to facilitate this;
  • Trigonos has two vehicles: when replaced  the most environmentally friendly option that meets our needs will be chosen; Non-essential car journeys are kept to a minimum;
  • Part of our appeal for holiday groups and retreats is the tranquility and remoteness of the location. Visitors are provided with:
  • clear and comprehensive information about alternatives to travelling by car, including information about our proximity to the Sustrans cycle network and car-sharing schemes;
  • marketing campaigns have  initially been focused on North Wales.

 

WATER & DRAINAGE
Water is plentiful in Gwynedd but consumption should be minimised due to costs associated with supply and waste infrastructure.

  • We will use water wisely and minimise wastage and leaks;
  • Rain-water is collected for use on the land;
  • Additional irrigation of the vegetable gardens is fed by the stream with due consideration to the health of the lake and to biodiversity downstream;
  • Wherever possible we use naturally draining surfaces for car-parks and walkways to reduce the pressure on drains and consequent flooding associated with tarmac and concrete surfaces.


FINANCE

  • We hold our mortgage with Triodos Bank, who have strict ethical principles;
  • Under the Stakeholder Pension Scheme employees can invest in The Stewardship Fund an ethical pension fund provided by Friends Provident;
  • Trigonos has an equitable salary structure which restricts the differential between the highest and lowest paid (see our Annual Report);
  • Consideration is being given to transferring our current account banking to an ethical provider.

 

PURCHASING

  • Our telephone service is provided by the Phone Coop, a cooperative owned by its¹ members and with a strict ethical and environmental policy.
  • We favour local suppliers, manufacturers and service providers when they meet appropriate quality criteria;
  • Coops and businesses with green credentials are also favoured.

 

FOOD SOURCING & CATERING

Food choices can have a major impact on sustainability, with implications for local economy and culture, packaging and waste, exploitation and pollution.   Trigonos is a member of the Wholesome Food Association and food is produced and sourced according to their principles, ie. food is:

  • grown and processed using sustainable, non-polluting methods as close as possible to those found in nature;
  • wherever possible, traded and consumed within a short distance of where it was grown;
  • an integral part of life and community, rather than merely a commodity for profit.

For catering purposes we:

  • make maximum use of vegetables, fruit and salads grown on our own land;
  • use fresh ingredients and minimise use of processed foods;
  • avoid GM foods and GM derivatives;
  • seek local and organic produce and fair trade items and are working to reduce our dependence on supermarkets.

See our Food Policy for more information.

 

LAND

  • No artificial fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides are used for growing food crops;
  • Herbicides are used elsewhere very occasionally to help control invasives;
  • Trigonos grows fruit, vegetables and salads according to organic principles for catering for our visitors and for sale locally. 
Due to the small scale of the venture registration as an organic producer with The Soil Association is not economically viable.  We are a member of the WFA (see above);
  • Traditional features of the land such are dry stone walls, slate fences, etc are repaired and extended using local materials;
  • When planting, native species of plants and trees are favoured over non-native and biodiversity of wildlife and plant life is protected and enhanced;
  • Woodlands and natural habitats are being considerably extended and grazing reduced.

 

MAINTENANCE, CLEANING & CHEMICALS
  • Environmentally friendly and biodegradeable materials for all cleaning and maintenance are favoured eg Ecover cleaning products;
  • Cleaning products containing artificial musk perfumes are avoided.

 

PARTICIPATION & SOCIAL INCLUSION

Trigonos works with the principle of social inclusion for a healthy, creative community, where each individual is valued and encouraged to fulfil their potential. Within Trigonos:

  • All public areas are accessible to people with mobility problems or using a wheelchair; there is residential accommodation on the ground floor also appropriately adapted;
  • Providing work experience for young people at risk is an integral part of our work;
  • Trigonos plays an active role in local environmental, health and cultural initiatives;
  • We always consult local residents about development plans that may affect them and respond to their concerns;
  • We organise cultural events related to local heritage and the environment and respond to requests from local groups to use our facilities;
  • We are an equal opportunities employer.

 

LANGUAGE

Trigonos is aware of the importance of the Welsh language and the culture flowing from it and of our responsibility to support its continuing use and development.  We have a language policy in place, use Welsh on our website and actively seek Welsh speakers for key posts.  We will continue to look at how we can further extend the role of the Welsh language within Trigonos.

 


[1]  Based on Defra calculations.

[2] Based on an analysis by a renewable energy consultant.

 

Trigonos, Plas Baladeulyn, Nantlle, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, Wales, UK. LL54 6BW
Tel / Ffôn: +44 (0)1286 882388 space Fax / Ffacs: +44 (0)1286 882424 spaceEmail / Ebost: info@trigonos.org