Ethics & Sustainability

Established in 1996 as a centre for learning, discovery and retreat, Trigonos is a company limited by guarantee - a not-for-profit social business. We choose this legal structure to break the tie between running a business and the private ownership of assets and profits, an arrangement that focuses a business on the maximisation of profit to the detriment of social, cultural and environmental concerns.Trigonos seeks to give equal weight to all the outcomes of its business activity and, being without owners or shareholders, retains all profits for the development of the business.

Our expressed aims are to combine social and cultural development along with economic activity whilst co-operating with people and communities locally and globally. This is the ethical basis for our work in which sustainability is the natural partner.

Read our Sustainability Policy

TRIGONOS & THE GLOBAL RECESSION - Crises are the Time for Thinking & Acting Differently

“Meltdown” might be the word of the moment.

Until recently climate change was probably seen as the greatest challenge facing the world by people in rich nations like the UK, but many may not now think this to be true. The economic meltdown brings immediate pain or fear to the majority whereas major climate change is a future event that we can hope may not even happen. Unless, that is, you are poor and living in the developing world where the consequence are already acutely felt.

The present economic and climatic disasters are so closely related that they are best regarded as presenting conjoined crises. Our desire for material possessions, food and travel is the stuff of global warming. The resurrection of economies through the re-growth in existing patterns of consumption may relieve some immediate economic problems but only by boosting the conditions for a future climate catastrophe. “Borrow and spend, no matter the long-term cost” is the plea from governments facing political meltdown induced by economic failure.

To avoid meltdown – ecological, social and economic – there has to be substantial change that is accepted as the responsibility of everyone. The 20th century saw the world dominated by companies whose priority is the maximisation of shareholder value, measured solely in financial terms. The 21st century needs businesses that have a different set of values, giving equal weight to social, environmental and economic outcomes. Such businesses have to address their impact upon all who are touched by their activities, be they customers, employees, suppliers or bystanders: Business as if all people mattered.

Trigonos is part of a growing number of social businesses that are values rather than shareholder driven. As a company limited by guarantee we have no shareholders and neither distribute profits nor pay bonuses. What we do have are strong ethical and sustainability policies and practices that are designed to ensure that our business activity is focussed on benefiting many and damaging none.

We all have a part to play in resolving the current crises. One of the biggest engines for change is the power of everyone who buys goods and services. Individually we can choose to deal with businesses that have a well-rooted and long-term commitment to ethical practices. Our single action will bring about very small changes but it will encourage others, who encourage others, until the cumulative affect grows into true significance. In so doing we can all contribute towards a fairer and safer world.

March 2009

• Animal welfare requires that animals live in as natural an environment as possible, receive their natural diet, are subjected to minimum medication and are slaughtered with the minimum of distress. Livestock and poultry reared in this way will also be healthier for the consumers. We will avoid products from intensively reared animals and favour those raised and maintained in more natural conditions.
• Fairtrade is an independent consumer label which guarantees that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal than if selling through the usual commercial channels. We will give preference to Fairtrade produce.
• Food additives natural and artificial, are generally found in higher concentrations the more processed the product. We will keep the use of processed foods to the minimum and avoid where possible those with high levels of added sugar and salt and those artificial additives that are known to have adverse affects on some people.
• Food miles concerns the distance food is transported and how it is moved. Airfreight between continents is common and, according to a recent Defra report, 25% of all HGV kilometres in the UK involves the transport of food. We will minimise the use of long-haul food.
• Local food is that which is sourced as near as possible to the point of consumption, minimising the need for transport, maximising the prospect of receiving fresh produce, creating a market for local producers and benefiting the local economy. Local producers also need a fair deal to ensure that they and their employees can make a reasonable living. Using local food also means recognising and working with the seasonal availability of different foods. Local food will generally be preferred and we will encourage local production. (Local means the nearest available producer).
• Organic produce is legally defined. It severely restricts the use of artificial chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Instead, organic farmers rely on developing a healthy, fertile soil and growing a mixture of crops. Animals are reared without the routine use of drugs, antibiotics and wormers common in intensive livestock farming. Organic produce is increasingly available but can involve high levels of food miles and high purchase costs. We will use organic produce when it is readily available, affordable and does not contribute excessively to food miles.

Practicability

The sustainability issues outlined above have to be considered in terms of their practicability. Four factors are weighed when making purchasing choices:

• Conflicting preferences may mean that one factor works against another. For example, organic produce may be considered healthy but involve air transport from the developing world and with no guarantee of a fair deal for producers and employees. Fairtrade may offer no guarantee as to the use of herbicides and pesticides but does ensure a fair return to producers and their workers.
• Availability of supplies may mean that the preferred produce is not available at certain times, especially when there is a preference for local and seasonal food.
• Product quality can vary greatly and we will not use poor quality produce even if it is in a preferred category.
• Cost is key consideration in terms of economic sustainability. We will not regularly purchase items if the cost requires an increase in charges that is not economically viable.

Trigonos Produce

We grow a variety of vegetables, salads and fruits on our own land for use in the Trigonos kitchen and for sale to local people. All produce is grown using organic and biodynamic principles We are not, however, a registered organic producer but are members of the Wholesome Food Association whose guiding principles we support:

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

Trigonos’ policy on food has a clear sense of direction and is constantly evolving. This allows us to take account of the changes around us, from the local to the global. We welcome comment and contributions to help with the continuing development of our food policy and practice.

Eco Features

ENERGY

• Heating and hot water supplied by a low-carbon woodchip boiler
• Electricity supplied by Good Energy. who guarantee a 100% renewable supply
• Thermafleece sheeps wool insulation used in buildings refurbished since 2006.
• Lights use low-energy CFL bulbs where possible
• Land irrigation powered by solar pump
• Lofts insulated with Thermafleece insulation
• Double glazing installed when windows renewed
• Car-sharing and alternatives to travelling by car are promoted to our visitors

MONEY

FOOD

• Biodiversity of wildlife and plant life is protected and enhanced
• Native trees, shrubs and wild plants re-introduced into the landscape
• Access to woodlands and lake-side for all

WASTE

BUILDINGS