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Self Assessment Tool

These checklists are designed to take a high level view of your approach to sustainability.

Please answer the questions honestly. A bespoke action plan will be produced which will allow you to prioritise actions and implement projects. You can choose any of the modules and do them in any order.

Does your business comply with relevant environmental regulations?
Does your business comply with relevant environmental regulations?
The result of non-compliance is prosecution, but there could be other implications for a business, such as increased insurance premiums or difficulty in the acquisition of loans. Refer to guide.
Do you have a sustainability policy and a person responsible for sustainability matters?
Do you have a sustainability policy and a person responsible for sustainability matters?
It is good practice to underpin a policy with an improvement plan. By making someone responsible it will help the business focus on achieving the Policy commitments through a series of individual targets. Guidance on how to write and implement a policy can be found here: Environmental policy.
Is information about your business and it's sustainability initiatives made available to visitors?
Is information about your business and it's sustainability initiatives made available to visitors?
Providing information can deepen your visitors understanding about your venue and may inspire them to reduce their personal carbon footprint.
Do you encourage feedback from customers on sustainability initiatives?
Do you encourage feedback from customers on sustainability initiatives?
Feedback helps a business continually improve services. See guide: Promoting your green credentials.
Do you have recognised sustainability or environmental accreditation?
Do you have recognised sustainability or environmental accreditation?
Accreditation demonstrates the business' commitment to sustainability and can be used a an additional marketing tool. There are a range of certification programmes including - Green Tourism Business Scheme, Green Dragon, Green Key, Trip Advisor Green Leaders. For more advice see: Green accreditation and award schemes.
Do you have a towel re-use policy (that includes staff training)?
Do you have a towel re-use policy (that includes staff training)?
A towel re-use policy changes visitors towels on request. This saves energy and water and uses fewer chemicals.
Do you have a linen re-use policy (that includes staff training)?
Do you have a linen re-use policy (that includes staff training)?
A linen re-use policy changes visitors linen on request. This saves energy and water and uses fewer chemicals.
If you hold events, do you offer a sustainable events measures?
If you hold events, do you offer a sustainable events measures?
Running an event is inherently unsustainable yet steps can be taken to reduce its negative impacts and take advantage of the opportunities. See the independent guide.
Do you read your electricity/gas meter and record consumption of heating oil/LPG (where applicable)?
Do you read your electricity/gas meter and record consumption of heating oil/LPG (where applicable)?
Monthly meter readings and smart meters provide data for analysis. You can establish patterns of energy use, set targets for reduction, identify where savings can be made and monitor the success of energy saving measures. Good energy management could save over 10%.
Do you have good levels of insulation? Loft and where appropriate, wall.
Do you have good levels of insulation? Loft and where appropriate, wall.
Up to 25% of the heat lost from a building's fabric is lost through its roof and 10% through walls. Installing 300mm of mineral fibre wool (or equivalent) insulation to uninsulated roofs can reduce this by up to 90%. Installing cavity wall insulation to an uninsulated cavity can reduce by up to 80%.
Do you have drafts? Particularly from external doors and windows.
Do you have drafts? Particularly from external doors and windows.
When your building is draught-free, your heating systems don’t have to work so hard and visitor comfort levels can be improved. Draught proofing is a cheap and effective way of saving small to moderate amounts of energy.
Can you adjust the temperature of individual rooms?
Can you adjust the temperature of individual rooms?
Always check and adjust thermostat/s. Comfortable temperatures for sleeping and daytime activities are 16ºC and 20ºC respectively. Unoccupied rooms can be kept at 14ºC without the risk of dampness.
Do you have heating and cooling systems operating at the same time?
Do you have heating and cooling systems operating at the same time?
Unless there is a specified requirement, air conditioned areas need not be cooler than 24ºC.
Do you have a beer cellar? if so, do you maintain your cellar temperature at 12°C?
Do you have a beer cellar? if so, do you maintain your cellar temperature at 12°C?
Cellar cooling should be turned on at all times and the temperature maintained at 12°C, range 11-13°C.
Are hot water tanks, pipes, valves and flanges lagged?
Are hot water tanks, pipes, valves and flanges lagged?
Lagging is relatively cheap to install and can save up to 90% of heat loss. Each uninsulated tank, flange, valve or length of pipe acts like a radiator, leaking heat into your building.
Are lights (not required for safety or operating requirements) switched off at the end of the day or when not required?
Are lights (not required for safety or operating requirements) switched off at the end of the day or when not required?
It is cheaper to switch lights off than to leave them on. Make sure lights are switched off at the end of the day and when premises or rooms are not occupied.
Are bulbs/lamps/tubes low energy? - Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs), Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) or T5 High Frequency Fluorescents.
Are bulbs/lamps/tubes low energy? - Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs), Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) or T5 High Frequency Fluorescents.
Replacement bulbs/lamps/tubes can provide equivalent brightness and colour temperatures to conventional lamps. They dim smoothly and are instantly at full brightness. These lamps can save up to 80%, don't generate excess heat and as a result will not contribute to overheating.
Are controls fitted to appropriate light fittings? - Time switches, daylight or movement sensors
Are controls fitted to appropriate light fittings? - Time switches, daylight or movement sensors
It is common to find lights left on when not required. Time switches, daylight and movement sensors can be used to control lighting.
Do you purchase electrical equipment with EU Energy Label Class A or better certified by ENERGY STAR?
Do you purchase electrical equipment with EU Energy Label Class A or better certified by ENERGY STAR?
Use of energy and water efficient equipment will reduce environment impacts and energy consumption.
Do you generate electricity or heat from a renewable source?
Do you generate electricity or heat from a renewable source?
The business would benefit from savings from energy offset, income from energy exported and government incentives such as the Feed in Tariffs (FiTs) and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). A range of Carbon Trust publications are available at: www.carbontrust.com/resources
Do you read your water meter?
Do you read your water meter?
Monthly meter readings provide data to establish patterns of water use so you can identify where savings can be made, monitor the success of water saving measures and identify leaks. Good water management could save over 10%.
Do you check for leaks and dripping taps?
Do you check for leaks and dripping taps?
Dripping taps could waste up to 140 litres of water a week. If a leak is suspected take meter readings over a period when water is not being used. If the meter moves between the first reading and the second reading , when no water has been used, there may be a leak.
Do your guestroom bathroom fixtures meet water efficiency standards for flow and flush?
Do your guestroom bathroom fixtures meet water efficiency standards for flow and flush?
Water-efficient (or low flow) fixtures significantly reduce water consumption. Toilets are evaluated on Litres per Flush (LPF). Faucets and showerheads are evaluated on Litres per Minute (LPM). For more information on the water technology list: www.watertechnologylist.co.uk
Do your back of house and public toilets meet water efficiency standards?
Do your back of house and public toilets meet water efficiency standards?
Water-efficient (or low flow) fixtures significantly reduce water consumption. Toilets are evaluated on Litres per Flush (LPF). Faucets and showerheads are evaluated on Litres per Minute (LPM). For more information on the water technology list: www.watertechnologylist.co.uk
Do you have appliances (such as dishwashers and washing machines) with low water usage?
Do you have appliances (such as dishwashers and washing machines) with low water usage?
Dishwashers and washing machines are becoming more water efficient.
Do you collect rainwater for use in the garden?
Do you collect rainwater for use in the garden?
Rainwater collection is one of the most cost-effective ways of saving water.
Do you record how much you spend on waste?
Do you record how much you spend on waste?
Do you record the amount of waste you produce?
Do you record the amount of waste you produce?
Monitoring different waste streams will provide information on quantities, type and source of waste generated. This data will allow you to reduce and possibly avoid it in the first place. The cost of waste is not only for disposal, but also purchase price of the waste material, staff time, storage and transport. An example of a template for monitoring waste can be found here.
Do you minimise, segregate, recycle and dispose of waste appropriately?
Do you minimise, segregate, recycle and dispose of waste appropriately?
Prevent, reduce, reuse and recycle: Do you need to purchase an item? If so, can you minimise what you purchase (e.g. packaging)? Before disposal, ask yourself can it be reused? If not then send it for recycling, composting or anaerobic digestion (as appropriate). All waste has to be disposed of in compliance with legislation, with the minimum going to landfill. Many visitors recycle at home and expect appropriate facilities when on holiday.
Do you recycle waste electronic/electrical equipment and dispose of hazardous waste appropriately?
Do you recycle waste electronic/electrical equipment and dispose of hazardous waste appropriately?
Hazardous waste includes oil, batteries, toner, cartridges, electronic/electrical equipment and fluorescent light tubes. Disposal of these materials is subject to specific regulations. See document: How to reduce and manage your waste.
Do you retain Waste Transfer Notes and Consignment Notes?
Do you retain Waste Transfer Notes and Consignment Notes?
Businesses are required to retain Waste Transfer Notes for two years and Consignment Notes for (Hazardous Waste) for three years.
Examples to consider include the storage of fuel oil, the operation of a septic tank, noise and light pollution and risks from short term activities, such as dust from construction. Areas of risk include wells, watercourses, drains, neighbours land, etc.
Examples of hazardous substances include some cleaning agents, herbicides, pesticides and solvent based products such as paints. To prevent misuse or incorrect disposal these materials should be used by appropriately trained staff.
Cleaning chemicals and detergents could be changed to biodegradable, phosphate free products to prevent environmental pollution.
Position the tank to minimise risk from damage by vehicles and to protect sensitive receptors (e.g. >10 metres away a watercourse or >50 metres from a well or borehole). Consider the security of any storage as problems can arise from vandalism or theft. Advice can be obtained from: Above ground oil storage tanks, PPG 2:
Septic tanks are a common source of pollution, as they are often out of sight and not checked or emptied regularly. Advice can be obtained from: Disposal of sewage where no mains drainage is available, PPG4:
It is good practice to maximise the use of vehicles, cut down on single collections and plan ‘round robin’ collections to reduce pollution and fuel consumption.
It is important that vehicle emissions are kept under control to reduce pollution and maximise fuel efficiency.
Choosing a vehicle that uses less fuel can not only help you save money, it also benefits the environment by using less natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) has an online database that can be used to find out the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures for new vehicles currently on sale in the UK.
A workforce travel plan can be developed to encourage alternatives to single-occupancy car use. This reduces environmental impacts, and will have financial benefits, from improving productivity, saving business and staff money and time. Travel can have hidden costs, such as parking provision.
Providing alternative methods of transport reduces the reliance on cars and encourages guests to explore the area. See guide: Encouraging your guests to travel sustainably
Sustainable procurement involves taking environmental, social and economic factors into account when making a purchasing decision. Consider what the product is made of, where it came from and who made it. There is no formal definition of ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’ products. See guide
There are a number of international, EU, national and local labels which are usually located on the product's packaging. Lables include fairtade, EU organic and LEAF and local produce.
Purchasing paper products with recycled content and using recycled and/or recycle toner cartridges minimises the use of resources.
Purchasing toiletries with organic ingredients and packaging that is biodegradable or has recycled content minimises the use of resources.
This brings economic benefits to the community. Also adding value for visitors through providing local knowledge and advice.
Biodiversity needs to be preserved and promoted to be enjoyed by everybody (you, your visitors, your children …) and must not disappear or be damaged or reduced. Be proud of your natural heritage and encourage your visitors to discover and enjoy it, this will keep it alive and animated.
If you want to encourage biodiversity, then it makes sense to find out what’s already on site. Visitor experience is always enhanced by access to nature, even just watching birds feed during breakfast!
Biodiversity can be encouraged by adopting planting schemes using indigenous species of trees, shrubs and other plants, installing bird boxes or creating small ponds. Your local Wildlife Trust can offer comprehensive advice.
Promoting local services and products which use local labour and materials will result in money being re-circulated in the area. This is particularly significant in rural areas. Local products can boost the visitor’s ‘feel good factor’, as they have a holiday souvenir which is authentic to the area and the knowledge that they have supported the local economy.
Working with the community can deepen and strengthen your relationships in the area as well as introducing you to new people and new ideas. This may lead to projects by inspiring great ideas. Local people may have expertise in a host of relevant areas such as understanding the needs of your target audience, timings and logistics, and suggestions of others you could work with. See document: Work with your community
One of the strengths of tourism in Wales is its unique identity of which the Welsh language is an integral part. Promoting the language, even the use of simple phrases, therefore sustains the local culture and enriches the visitor experience. Adopting a language policy will help with this even if it is fairly basic. See document: Promote the Welsh language and culture
Sharing the traditions, culture and heritage of Wales will enhance the visitor experience.

Thank you

You have now completed the self-assessment; one of the nine sections available as part of the Sustainable Tourism Toolkit.

A tailored report has been produced for you based on the answers you have given. The report aims to give recommendations for consideration when making improvements to your business’ sustainability approach.