With the summer of Staycation well underway, we’re looking at ways we can help parks like yours keep up with the desire for sustainable travel. An astonishing 87% of travellers want to be able to travel more sustainably, however, almost a quarter of them believe there is a lack of choice when it comes to finding a sustainable destination.
This is where you come in.
There has never been a better time to shout about your green credentials. More people are staying local, looking at parks like yours for their holiday inspiration. Without the need for international travel, you’re already offering a sustainable option. We also know that most of you are already going above and beyond to reduce your carbon footprint and water usage – give yourselves a pat on the back!
Mayfield are proud to be a part of this industry, leading the way in sustainable decking and helping more holiday parks offer a green alternative to travel bugs. Our Sundecks don’t just look amazing when paired with a holiday home or lodge, they also stand proudly as a sustainable alternative to timber decks.
But what else can you do? Here are five things you can do to earn your Green Tourism badge and become a sustainable travel destination in 2021.
1. Reduce Energy Use
Firstly, look out for any opportunities to reduce the amount of energy your holiday park is using. This could simply be switching off appliances that aren’t in use, switching to energy-efficient light bulbs or adjusting the timer settings on your thermostat.
A good way for parks to reduce energy use is to get the homeowners involved. Offer rewards and incentives to residents to encourage them to reduce their energy consumption and help the park become more environmentally friendly.
2. Save Water
There are many ways you can reduce your water usage across your park. Start by installing water-saving appliances such as toilets and shower heads. To keep up with outdoor maintenance you can install water butts to collect rainwater.
You can also ask guests and residents to consider their water usage. If a family of four remembers to turn off the tap whilst brushing their teeth they could save 32 gallons of water a day!
3. Efficient Waste Disposal
By ensuring every guest at your park has access to recycling facilities, you should be able to dramatically reduce the amount of waste your park is sending to landfill. We know most parks are already excelling when it comes to recycling and setting up efficient waste disposal systems. To make your process even more efficient, try adding food waste and compost bins.
If you really want to drive sustainability, you can become a plastic-free park or run plastic-free weekends. This is a great way to get the residents and guests involved and make sure everyone is considering the amount of waste they are creating.
4. Stay Local & Seasonal
Have you thought about sourcing your goods from local businesses? The UK has a host of brilliant suppliers that would love to get involved with your park. While many of your guests are likely to be self-catering, you can still do your bit to support local businesses by stocking seasonal and locally sourced produce in your bar and dining areas.
Not only are you doing your bit for your community by supporting local businesses but you are also massively reducing the distance that goods travel to reach your park. This is a great step to take to reduce your carbon footprint.
5. Choose Sustainable Suppliers
When it comes to operations, your park could deal with several businesses on any given day. Have you thought about their credentials or how they impact the environment?
Many businesses are taking steps towards becoming more sustainable. They might have switched their company cars for electric vehicles, supported a local charity or joined the cycle-to-work scheme. By choosing to support businesses like this, you can all endorse each other’s efforts and lead the way towards environmentally friendly business practices.
Mayfield are proud to be aware of our environmental impact. Since launching over 30 years ago, we have made a conscious effort to reduce our carbon footprint and provide you with a product that is as sustainable as it is gorgeous.
We’re not alone. Whether you need Hot Tub installation, swimming pool maintenance or holiday home cladding we’d gladly point you in the direction of a sustainable supplier, just get in touch with our team or keep reading to find out more about our sustainable decking.
Sustainable Decking for Holiday Parks
All Mayfield deck boards are manufactured here in the UK and use up to 80% recycled materials. This has absolutely no effect on the quality or finish of our product, every Mayfield deck is certified to British Standards and carries the same structural benefits as it would with new materials.
We keep waste to an absolute minimum. All our materials are 100% recyclable which means any offcuts from your installation don’t go in the bin, they go into new decks! Although our decks have almost double the lifespan of a timber deck, when the time comes that you want to update your outdoor space you can simply recycle the materials that you don’t need anymore.
But, as we all now know, there are loads of ways that you can earn your Green Tourism Award.
At Mayfield, we pride ourselves on being reactive to environmental concerns. That’s why when Mike (our MD) and his daughter watched David Attenborough’s documentary, the group agreed that we needed to cut down our timber usage.
Immediately Mike got busy looking for an alternative to timber for our decking sub-frames. After putting several materials to the test, he found aluminium. Aluminium is a fantastic material to use on our Sundecks – it doesn’t rot or sag and is impervious to moisture. It’s produced on-mass, with 60 million tonnes being produced every year. And it’s strong, stable and dependable… just like our Sundecks.
Most of our customers are aware of the impact they have on the environment and are keen to work with us to become a greener park. That’s why aluminium is the future. Aluminium is 100% recyclable much like our UPVC deck boards. If sustainability is something you are striving for, Mayfield will work by your side.
This is just one example of how Mayfield are adapting our offering and putting an environmentally friendly foot first. We’re incredibly proud of our product and our team for taking these steps and leading by example.
If you’re proud to be at the forefront of sustainable tourism and are already doing the things we’ve listed in this article, make sure you are shouting about it! We love seeing everything you’re doing on social media so share your green credentials and tag @themayfieldgroupdecking to be featured in our story!
To find out more about our sustainable Sundeck range, get a quote for your next project or find out how Mayfield can transform your summer by reinventing your outdoor space give us a call on: 01202 233959 or email us on enquiries@the mayfieldgroup.co.uk
Alternatively, look us up on www.themayfieldgroup.co.uk or head over to our Instagram for your daily dose of decking inspiration!
FAQs
Q. How can our holiday park reduce energy consumption and become more environmentally friendly?
A. There are several ways to reduce energy use at your holiday park:
- Switch off appliances not in use.
- Transition to energy-efficient light bulbs.
- Adjust thermostat timer settings.
- Involve homeowners by offering rewards and incentives for reducing energy consumption.
Q. What are some water-saving measures we can implement to reduce water usage at our park?
A. To save water, consider the following measures:
- Install water-saving appliances like toilets and shower heads.
- Utilise water butts to collect rainwater for outdoor maintenance.
- Encourage guests and residents to be mindful of their water usage.
Q. How can we improve waste disposal and recycling practices at our holiday park?
A. Efficient waste disposal and recycling can be achieved through the following:
- Ensure every guest has access to recycling facilities.
- Consider adding food waste and compost bins.
- Strive to become a plastic-free park or run plastic-free weekends.
Q. What steps can we take to support local businesses and source goods locally and sustainably?
A. You can support local businesses and reduce carbon footprint by:
- Sourcing goods from local suppliers.
- Stocking seasonal and locally sourced produce in your bar and dining areas.
Q. How can we identify and choose sustainable suppliers for our park’s operations?
A. Look for suppliers with sustainable practices, such as:
- Using electric vehicles for transportation.
- Supporting local charities or participating in eco-friendly schemes.
Q. How does Mayfield’s decking contribute to sustainable practices in holiday parks?
A. Mayfield’s decking is sustainable as it uses up to 80% recycled materials and has 100% recyclable materials, reducing waste and environmental impact.
Q. What percentage of recycled materials are used in Mayfield’s deck boards, and how does this benefit the environment?
A. Mayfield’s deck boards use up to 80% recycled materials, which helps reduce demand for new raw materials and minimises the environmental impact.
Q. Can Mayfield’s decking materials be recycled after their useful life, and how does this help reduce waste?
A. Yes, Mayfield’s decking materials are 100% recyclable, allowing them to be reused in new decks and reducing waste in landfills.
Q. How does aluminium as a material contribute to sustainability in decking, and why did Mayfield choose it?
A. Aluminium is a sustainable material for decking as it does not rot or sag, is impervious to moisture, and can be mass-produced with minimal environmental impact. Mayfield chose it to reduce timber usage and enhance sustainability.
Q. How can our holiday park work with Mayfield to enhance our sustainability efforts and become a greener park?
A. To enhance sustainability, you can collaborate with Mayfield to implement their eco-friendly decking options and work together towards achieving green tourism goals.