Here at The Bowes Museum we are committed to providing a good quality service whilst minimising the environmental impact of our activities.

A symbol of this commitment is our membership of the Green Tourism Business Scheme.  The scheme provides accreditation and encouragement for tourism businesses to reduce the environmental impact of their activities.  By encouraging sustainable practices the scheme ensures the continued enjoyment of the environment around us for future generations.

 

The Museum has approximately 60 members of staff. A member of staff from each department gets together on a regular basis. This group is the Green Team and is committed to raising awareness of environmental issues and reducing the environmental impact of our activities.

 

A full survey of the grounds has taken place in recent weeks. A large number of birds, plants and trees were recorded within the twenty acre site. 

 

We are always interested in hearing what your thoughts are on environmental issues, please email us at info@thebowesmuseum.org.uk.

 

One of the ways to help reduce our environmental impact is to assess what we are already doing. Monitoring of waste and energy consumption is now common practice at the Museum.

To encourage other business to consider their environmental impact we research companies and suppliers to assess their ‘green credentials’ before employing them.

 

We now source cleaning products that don’t contain bleach and the handwash in the toilets is phosphate free – better for you, better for the environment.

 

The Museum recycles paper, card and glass bottles and we are now beginning to compost waste from the kitchen.

 

Café Bowes now uses Fairtrade coffee beans. Fairtrade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Its purpose is to create opportunities for producers and workers who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading system. If fair access to markets under better trade conditions would help them to overcome barriers to development, they can join Fairtrade.

Fairtrade is a tool for development that ensures disadvantaged farmers and workers in developing countries get a better deal through the use of the international Fairtrade mark.

 

Local Head Chef, Ben Parnaby is passionate about local food and sources many ingredients locally including meat, fruit and veg, dairy products and bread. 

 

In the shop you can enjoy a variety of gifts including photographs, books, confectionary, drinks and jewellery produced by people in the region.

 

Like many of you who visit the Museum, we also try and share our travelling to the Museum. Many of the staff now drive to work together while others walk to work and some cycle.

 

Barnard Castle is the gateway to upper Teesdale and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). There are pieces of literature about how you can enjoy this beautiful area in the leaflet rack at the bottom of the corridor or ask a member of staff for assistance.