Eco Centre
Putting 'hippos' in loos, intensive recycling and energy saving has helped our Lake District visitor centre lead the way in clinching the coveted European eco status.
Eco-Centres is a European programme organised by Encams, which runs the Keep Britain Tidy campaign.
We are the first National Park visitor centre in the country to be awarded a major Eco-Centres Award. It recognises and honours Brockhole's commitment to caring for the environment including how:
- we make sure we use both sides of each sheet of paper before we recycle it
- we buy 100 per cent recycled paper
- we reuse envelopes
- we compost shredded paper
- we recycle CDs and batteries
- we use low energy light bulbs
- we have hippos in our toilets! A free United Utilities ‘save-a-flush’ pack, saves water every flush - SaveaFlush order form (opens in new window)
- we collect printer toner cartridges, and money raised goes to charity
- we bought recycled plastic picnic tables
- we have created the pond and the meadow wildlife areas in the garden
- in the woods, we leave fallen timber to rot, so that fungi and insects have a home
- we don’t use pesticides or chemicals in the garden, except on paths
- we don’t use any peat or peat-based products
- we put up bird and bat boxes
- we use as little water in the gardens as possible and are going to restore the Victorian rain water collecting system
Brockhole's 160,000 visitors a year have been actively encouraged to follow the green trail, both at the centre and when they get home.
What can I do?
- Buy local produce and make use of local services and shops wherever possible
- Car share to work
- Use water sparingly. For example, turn off the bathroom tap when brushing your teeth
- Choose products with less packaging, therefore creating less waste
- Re-use paper and plastic carrier bags where possible
- Use low-energy light bulbs which last longer
- Use recycled products wherever possible
- Use natural alternatives to artificial chemicals on your garden, and don't use pesticides
Want even more visitor information?
Visit Golakes (opens in new window), the official website of the tourist board for The Lake District and Cumbria. Browse and book accommodation and attractions online and see what's on in the area.
