At Denmark Farm were are constantly looking at ways to improve our site in modest ways, so we have recently undergone a review of our litter and waste disposal policy and procedures, in order to keep the site a clean and tidy sanctuary for all guests and wildlife alike.
Denmark Farm has always been a “leave no trace” site, encouraging visitors to use our site in a low-impact way, but some small changes have been happening in order to encourage this.
Non-recyclable waste
The biggest change we are making, is that we are asking all outdoor group participants and visitors to take away their non-recyclable rubbish, this includes anyone generating AHP (Absorbent Hygiene Products) waste such as nappies, as we simply do not have the facilities to process this kind of waste removal.
We ask anyone using the site or running a group to bring their own black bags to remove their rubbish, and if they need a recycling bin liner or to dispose of compost on site, then they are welcome to ask a staff member to help with this.
Any indoor groups/ venue hires and campers will also be required to remove their non-recyclable waste and bring their own black bin liners for this, but they will still have access to the toilet block, compost and recycling bins inside the main facilities that they will be able to use. Other residential guests, such as ecolodge and dormitory guests, will be able to use the non-recyclable, compost and recycling bins provided in the accommodation as normal.
Removal of bins
Some changes you might notice will be the removal of the wheelie bins and metal bins from the beginning of the woodland footpath. This is because the wheelie bins have never been for general, loose waste – they are council bins and all waste needs to be bagged in the appropriate liners for the council to take it (in line with their policy), so when people leave loose rubbish in these bins, including dog waste, the council do not take it and staff have to manually sort through it themselves. Denmark Farm also has to pay extra to have it removed as as a charity this is not something we can sustain.
We totally understand that the placement of the bins in these areas has encouraged people to use them in this way, so in order to improve this issue we will remove the bins from this location.
Recyclable & compost waste
Any green waste or compostable waste can go directly on the compost heaps near the kitchen garden, and staff can direct you to these and help you with this too.
If you aren’t sure what to compost, or would like to learn how to make a compost bin at home, you can book a place on our upcoming course:
Green Skills: Home composting & Soil Health
Any bagged recycling can be given to staff, or left in a place the staff have approved in advance, and they will bin it for you, or even better you are welcome to take it away with you.
Dog waste
Denmark Farm has always had a green cone near the kitchen garden compost toilet for disposing of dog mess in biodegradable bags, but now in order to make this more useful, we have installed a dispenser for biodegradable dog waste bags on the gate into the woods.
if you forget to bring your own biodegradable bags, you are welcome to use one from the dispenser. We would appreciate a small donation to cover this cost if you are able. We also have rolls of biodegradable bags for sale in our Little Green Shop for a small fee.
If you bring your own non-biodegradable bags, or if you are not sure if your bags are biodegradable then you must take your dog’s waste from site with you when you leave – we do not have a bin for this anywhere on site.
It is very important for us that dog owners act responsibly and keep their dogs on leads, partly to ensure the direct safety of the wildlife, but also so that they can see when and where their dogs go to the loo. Dog waste is a surprisingly potent ecological pollutant that introduces extremely high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus into the fragile environments, so Denmark Farm does not, and has never, supported the “stick and flick” method.
We really appreciate the support of our volunteers, group participants, guests and visitors, and hope that by working together on this we can maintain the understated peace and tranquillity that our beautiful site brings.
Diolch yn fawr,
Lulu & the Denmark Farm Team
