A greener future for the Forest

As an environmental charity, the Forest of Marston Vale is passionate about being as sustainable and eco-friendly as we possibly can be. At the Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park we want to set an example for the whole of the Forest to follow. Here are some of the ways that we are doing our bit towards a greener future:

Power

All of our electricity requirements are provided by renewable energy. Most of our electricity comes from photovoltaic panels on the roof and the wind turbine in the Millennium Country Park, the remainder is purchased from a Carbon Trust Verified supplier. Our corridor lights are on a motion sensor so they are only on when necessary, and our car park lighting runs on a timer.

Water and heating

Most of our heating and hot water is generated by a biomass boiler, using locally sourced woodchip. We use push button taps and dual flush toilets in the Forest Centre to reduce water wastage. Instead of providing bottled water to conference delegates, we provide water coolers (using filtered mains water) to minimise the use of plastic.

Woodlands

Wherever eligible, our woodlands are validated by the Woodland Carbon Code and leftover wood from the thinning of our sites is made into firewood and sold, providing a sustainable heating source and raising money for the charity.

Waste

We closely monitor the resources we use, and the amount of waste and recycling we generate, continually striving to reduce our impact. Food waste is collected separately and sent for anaerobic digestion.

Catering

We regularly review our suppliers to make sure that we’re sourcing everything we serve as locally as we possibly can. Our coffee is roasted in Ampthill, fruit and vegetables are from Bedford and we use our local butcher in Marston Moretaine; we even have a gin distilled in Sandy behind the bar.

Our takeaway cups and lids are made from low-carbon plant-based materials and are biodegradable and compostable; napkins are made from recycled paper with no bleaching or dyes involved; straws are paper and our waste cooking oil is recycled into bio-fuel.

Social Enterprise

As the Forest Centre is a social enterprise, owned and run by the Forest of Marston Vale Trust (Registered Charity No. 1069229), all profit can go directly to creating and maintaining woodlands and green spaces throughout the Forest.

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