(And how it helps make a small difference in today’s world.)
The news can be pretty grim nowadays and if you’re paying attention, you might be worried about the future of life on planet Earth as we know it. We are all concerned so at Atlantic Bay Rest, Laura decided to do things in the most eco friendly way she could manage. If you are into slow travel or sustainable travel, a stay at Atlantic Bay Rest might be just what you need. And if you’re just looking to lower your impact while staying at a beautiful location, this works for you too.
Please note that, of course, perfection doesn’t exist but Laura is constantly striving to improve.
Here are some of the ways Atlantic Bay Rest is eco friendly:
Ethical banking
This might be one that most people don’t think about. It is not very obvious but it makes the biggest impact. Many banks support fossil fuels, wars, conflicts, weapons industry, and such lovely things… So, without your knowledge or your consent, your money, no matter how big or small, could be supporting things you would never stand for. It is very important to choose a bank that aligns with your moral values. The online bank Bunq stood out for its sustainability values and the freedom of choice of where your money goes to. You can choose this yourself in the app. So all of Atlantic Bay Rest’s income goes into this ethical bank account. If you’re an individual reading this and wanting to change banks as a result, An Post Money seemed a good choice.
I am no way qualified to give you financial advice, do your own research and make an informed decision about your money.
Sustainable travel / Slow travel encouraged
Time is our most precious commodity so it is understandable to want to see as much as you can of Ireland during your journey. But, as slow travel is the more sustainable way to travel, you get a cheaper rate if you stay longer. The longer you stay the better the discount in all of the accommodations.
Priority to the local economy
As many as possible of the purchases or services rendered for Atlantic Bay Rest support the local economy. The plumber, internet company, and many more for example are local. When buying something, Laura gives priority to small local businesses like the Ventry shop and a variety of small stores in Dingle and Tralee.
Support to “minorities”
When you stay at Atlantic Bay Rest, the profits from your stay supports a woman run business which is also a black owned business. Peter Paul, Laura, and of course, mad genius Peter thank you for sharing this slice of heaven on Earth with us!
Composting on site
This was an obvious choice as food ending up in landfills emits methane. Starting a food composting bin just seemed natural and much needed for a business that host people traveling through who can’t always be creative with leftovers. The black gold serves to grow some herbs and veggies around the property and to give some much needed nutrients around established plants and trees.
Recycling diligently
All Return items are collected and exchanged at deposit machines in Dingle. Glass and aluminium are disposed of manually in the respective containers. The rest of the plastic, paper, and general waste are sorted into separate bins and lifted by KWD (a Kerry based waste management company).
No disposable or single use offered
In order to ditch plastic as much as possible, Laura opted not to offer any single use items at Atlantic Bay Rest. There is no single mini shampoo bottle or individually wrapped coffee or teas on plastic. Everything is available – you can still enjoy your coffee in the Galley while watching the sunrise – but it is all bought in bulk or bigger sizes to decrease plastic packaging waste.
Bulk buying of eco friendly shower products
Following up from the previous points, Laura buys bulk containers of Faith in Nature products from the Ventry shop which are use to refill metal bottles in each accommodation, including the hot outdoor shower.
Eco friendly / homemade general products
For cleaning, wether it is the dishes/dishwasher, the laundry, or the accommodations in general, Laura makes most of the products herself with natural ingredients which are bought in bulk (black soap, vinegar, etc). The rest is bought in bulk, natural paper packaging (dishwasher tablets) or refilled.
Eco friendly toilet paper
Our toilet paper is made from recycled paper (the brand also stocks bamboo toilet paper) and delivered plastic free to our doorstep every few weeks. This is an easy but important step so if this is something you might consider, check out Who Gives A Crap and get a discount here.
Air drying laundry
It is hard to imagine the amount of laundry that needs to be done per day to run a place like Atlantic Bay Rest. If Laura was to use the dryer, it would run all day most days, which is an electrical nightmare for the environment. So, she opted for the not so convenient option to slow down and air dry in a partly open but protected barn. Laundry is only finished up in the dryer for 10 minutes to get the Irish dampness out of the sheets and to make the towels soft again for the comfort of your skin.
Reusing first
Whether it is fixing a broken wooden stair or changing the tiles in the bathroom, if the materials are sitting in the barn, they will be the first choice.
Repair before buying new
Repairing should be the default. But in today’s world, planned obsolescence and decreasing product quality means constantly having to replace things. Laura always tries to repair when possible. For example, a rip in a duvet cover gives a small job to a local seamstress.
Buying second hand
If repair isn’t an option, Laura heads for the charity shops, online second hand apps, yard sales, etc. Usually, it is possible to find what you need with 300% more of the cuteness and character of what you would find if you were buying new. Often, it is also possible to find 100% cotton linens still in the packaging.
If it’s new, it’s eco friendly
When having to buy new, Laura strives to buy eco friendly. For example, many of the duvets were replaced recently for new Tencel duvets from eco friendly brand Kipli. When buying new bedding, it is always 100% cotton and Laura looks for OekoTex certified products. Natural materials are prioritised because everything some day returns to the Earth as either food or poison.
Eco indoor paint when renovating
Although modern paints are getting better, the air you breathe indoors is so important. And paint is such a wasteful product where you always end up with a little leftover that you don’t know what to do with. So it was important to use one of the most eco friendly paints available on the Irish market to repaint indoors. If you’re curious or need to freshen up your home, you can check out the website here.
Thermal panels
Thermal panels at the parking area heat up the water for three of the accommodation (Bird Nest, Lookout, and Eagle Nest).
Wild garden / local flora
Pollinators need all the help they can get so it was a conscious and easy choice to decide to let the garden be wild in many parts of the property and to plant pollinator friendly plants in other parts. Local flora is prioritised in general that can handle the proximity to the sea. Three years in, Laura is always trying to plan more and see what survives the harsh conditions at Atlantic Bay Rest.
Volunteering for wildlife
With the biggest grey seal colony just around the corner on the Blasket island, the numerous threats to the ocean they rely on are extremely worrying. To name only those, overfishing, climate change, and tourists ignoring guidelines of proper seal – human interaction are a big issue for the future of the grey seal colony. During grey seal pup season (August to February), pups often find their way onto the Atlantic Bay Rest beach as well as many others around the Dingle Peninsula. Laura gives as much of her free time to Seal Rescue Ireland. Being a Seal Rescue Ireland volunteer implies monitoring seal pups that have been flagged by caring passerbys and potentially lifting them to bring them into the care of their rehabilitation clinic.
If you see a seal pup in trouble, don’t approach but send their location to the Seal Rescue Ireland hotline +353871955393.
Planting seeds by encouraging guests
Last but not least, YOU! Our guests are encouraged to do the right thing and switch off appliances and lights when not in use. And, of course, recycling. Laura hopes these gentle reminders help plant seeds that will create ripples into our guests’ lives.