At the Inn at Glencairn, we have been incorporating sustainable practices into our business for some time. In fact, our entire business model was built on the philosophy of preserving and restoring an 18th century farmhouse and filling it with beautiful antique and vintage furniture and paintings!
Since we first opened our doors in 2004, we had a towel reuse policy; as the years went on, we extended that to bed linens for guests who did not want their linens washed daily. Also, since day one, we had programmable thermostats in guest rooms and an active recycling program. We are fortunate to live in a town that recycles, and we take advantage of their programs. Lately, we have started recycling plastics that are not typically included in the municipal program by taking them to recycling centers such as Whole Foods and local farmers markets. More recently, we discontinued the practice of using plastic water bottles. We have a highly inspected and regulated well on the property, and we enjoy our very own spring water! You will also notice that we use real glass, china, and cutlery rather than disposable products.
We have begun to switch out less eco-friendly items for more sustainable products as their useful life ends: We have begun phasing in LED lighting, and we have installed solar lighting outside where it makes sense. Where possible, we blend our own cleaning and laundry products using natural ingredients. And, finally, in the kitchen, we endeavor to buy local and organic ingredients, and we have increased our daily breakfast to include two new options that allow guests with smaller appetites to enjoy a full breakfast without leaving a plateful of waste for the landfill. Plus, we are constantly adding to our list of “made from scratch” goodies such as baked goods, yogurt, granola, jams & jellies.
We look forward to adding new initiatives as the year continues. The best part of being eco-conscious is that many of our initiatives take place behind the scenes without sacrificing the comfort of our guests, and in many instances it can enhance their stay. We fully anticipate that the Inn will be around well into the next century, and we will do our best to minimize its carbon footprint so future generations can enjoy its unique history and ambiance.