How Sunnyside have reduced single use plastic consumption

At Sunnyside we are dedicated to protecting our environment and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. A key initiative we’ve embraced is the substantial reduction of single-use plastics throughout our operations. Aware of the damaging effects that disposable plastics have on our ecosystems and health, we have committed ourselves to minimizing waste and promoting reusable alternatives.

Recent studies have shown that microplastics from single-use plastics are now found in the food we eat and the water we drink. On average, a person is estimated to ingest around 5 grams of microplastics each week, the equivalent of a credit card’s worth of plastic. These microplastics, which can carry toxic chemicals, pose potential risks to our health, including hormone disruption and digestive issues. At Sunnyside Guest House, we are taking action to reduce single-use plastics and support a circular economy, helping to ensure a safer and healthier environment for our guests and the community. By adopting practices that prioritize reducing and reusing, we aim to keep resources in use longer and lessen the impact on our health and planet.

Below, we highlighted some of the steps we have taken to eliminate single-use plastics from our operations.

Water Bottles

We transitioned from single-use plastic water bottles to reusable glass bottles, which are refilled on-site using an advanced three-stage water filtration system. This initiative helps us eliminate over 3,250 plastic bottles annually. By choosing glass over plastic, we’re not only cutting down on pollution but also enhancing the quality and taste of the water we provide.

It’s alarming to consider that the average person unknowingly consumes about a credit card’s worth of plastic every week through microplastics found in food, water, and the environment. By reducing our reliance on single-use plastics, we’re taking a crucial step in minimizing the spread of these harmful particles.

Fresh bottled milk instead of plastic milk portions

We’ve switched to using refillable milk bottles instead of UHT milk portions. This inititive helps us prevent over 5,000 single-use milk portions from ending up in landfills each year. This transition not only reduces waste but also supports local dairy farms by sourcing our milk from nearby producers, promoting sustainable agriculture and reducing our carbon footprint. By choosing refillable bottles, we’re minimizing environmental impact while fostering community partnerships and ensuring a fresher, more local product for everyone.

Jam and honey sachets for reusable jars

We’ve replaced mass-produced plastic jam sachets with homemade jam made from locally sourced fruit and honey, which we package in reusable jars. This change helps us save over 700 plastic sachets annually. By opting for refillable jars, we not only reduce plastic waste but also support local agriculture and offer a more sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to store-bought options.

Home-made youghurt served in reusable glass jars

We serve homemade yogurt, made with local produce, in reusable glass jars. This approach helps us eliminate over 250 single-use plastic yogurt pots annually, reducing plastic waste while supporting local agriculture. By choosing glass jars, we enhance sustainability and offer a fresher and better quality product.

Cupcakes served on glass cake stands

We serve homemade cupcakes on reusable glass cake stands, eliminating the need for over 1,500 plastic cupcake cases each year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we used single-use plastic cases for safety, but we’ve since switched to this sustainable option. This change not only reduces plastic waste but also improves the presentation and enjoyment of our cupcakes.

Miniml closed loop and toxic free cleaning products

Miniml, a natural cleaning brand, has implemented a forward-thinking closed-loop system that allows customers to return their empty containers for reuse. This approach is designed to significantly reduce single-use plastic. By reusing existing containers, Miniml not only minimizes the environmental impact associated with new plastic production but also helps to keep costs competitive.

This system supports a more sustainable business model, aligns with eco-friendly practices, and promotes a circular economy where resources are used efficiently and waste is minimized.

Home grown herbs

Although growing our own herbs dosn’t have as much of an impact as some the changes we have made above, growing herbs on site has been an unexpectedly effective way to reduce single-use plastic. Think about the fresh herbs you buy from the supermarket they often come in single-use plastic pots and packaging which usually end up in the bin adding to the growing heaps of plastic waste we produce every day. Growing our own herbs has meant we completely sidestep that problem. We simply snip what you need, when we need it.

Having a herb garden has also means fewer trips to the shop to buy fresh herbs that are highly perishable and often come in quantities far larger than we can use before they spoil. This not only reduces plastic waste but also cuts down the carbon footprint associated with transporting herbs over long distances and the energy intensive processes needed to refrigerate and package them

Compostable bin bags

By switching to compostable bin liners for our in-room bins, we eliminate over 2,500 plastic bags each year, significantly reducing our single-use plastic consumption. Unlike traditional plastic bags that can take hundreds of years to decompose and often end up polluting landfill sites, seas, and harming wildlife, these eco-friendly alternatives break down naturally within a matter of months. Made from plant-based materials, compostable liners not only reduce plastic waste but also support a more sustainable waste management system and reduce microplastic pollution.

Reusbale Faith in Nature soap bottles

Traditional single-use soap bottles are used up quickly and discarded, contributing to the growing problem of plastic pollution. By opting for reusable alternatives, we refill the bottles as needed, reducing the number of plastic containers that end up in landfill sites or, worse, in our oceans.

We’ve chosen to fill these reusable bottles with high-quality products from Faith in Nature, a brand renowned for its commitment to sustainability and ethical standards. As an Ethical Consumer Magazine Best Buy, Faith in Nature products are vegan, cruelty-free, and non-toxic, ensuring that both our guests and the planet are well cared for. This choice aligns perfectly with our values, allowing us to offer soaps and toiletries that are gentle on the skin while also being environmentally responsible.

Reusable cleaning spray bottles

In addition to our reusable soap dispensers, we also use reusable cleaning spray bottles, which we refill from larger 5-litre containers supplied directly by Miniml, a manufacturer based just 50 miles away.

What sets this approach apart is that once the 5-litre containers are empty, they are returned to Miniml for reuse. This return system reduces the need for new packaging and further minimises waste, as the containers are cleaned, refilled, and sent out again. This circular approach helps lower our overall carbon footprint by cutting down on both plastic production and transportation emissions.

Reusable vanity dispensers

Reusable vanity set dispensers are a sustainable alternative to single-use toiletries, offering both convenience and sustainability. By opting for reusable vanity set dispensers, we have reduced the volume of single-use plastic sachets that end up in landfill. This approach not only helps to decrease environmental impact but also promotes a more organized and aesthetically pleasing bathroom.