Our Green Ethos
From the first day it opened in 1999, BrookLodge & Macreddin Village has embraced sustainability and proudly championed the value of organic food.
BrookLodge & Macreddin Village has always demonstrated commitment, innovation and action in evolving Irish Food Production towards sustainability. We’re renowned for our decades-long dedication to sustainability and have established a reputation as a progressive leader in green practices.
We understand that we must do our utmost to minimise our impact on the natural environment.
This extends to the energy we consume, the waste we produce and the natural resources we utilise. In doing so, Macreddin Village is now proudly carbon-neutral. This commitment to environmental and social responsibility has earned us the Sustainability Award at the prestigious Good Food Ireland Awards in 2023.
At the heart of our sustainability efforts is The Strawberry Tree Restaurant, Ireland’s only restaurant certified by the Organic Trust. This reflects our commitment to providing organic and sustainable dining experiences to our guests. Our road to sustainability began with baby steps and taking the basics on board. These steps have now evolved into a dedicated programme that is part of everyday life at the Village.
Our green initiatives encompass various aspects of our operations:
Renewable Energy: We use renewable and local geothermal energy sources, significantly reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Our carbon-neutral wood chip burners provide hot water, and geothermal energy heats our conference suites and BrookHall swimming pool.
Pure Water: Our sparkling and still water is sourced directly from onsite wells, ensuring purity and minimising our carbon footprint.
Organic Spa Treatments: In our Wells Spa, we offer all-natural treatments using organic products, aligning with our commitment to holistic wellness.
Waste Reduction and Recycling: For nearly two decades, we’ve meticulously sorted waste materials into sixteen ‘waste streams,’ minimising waste and reducing environmental impact.
Plastic Elimination: We’ve taken decisive steps to eliminate plastic usage across our operations, from straws to lamination. We also have a very close relationship with all our suppliers and have asked them to use as little packaging as possible on the produce they provide to us. Our Organic Vegetable supplier delivers our order in crates to the kitchen door every day.
Carbon-Neutral Business Travel: Through a partnership with the Climate Protection Partnership, we offset CO2 emissions from business event delegates travelling to BrookLodge & Macreddin Village.
Food Foraging & Preservation: Specialising in Organic and Wild Foods, The Strawberry Tree’s full-time Wild Foods Forager utilises the bounty of Wild Foods available on our hedgerows and preserves them for future use using traditional methods. These precious resources are stored in our Wild Foods Pantry to be served each night at the Restaurant for our guests to enjoy. The Strawberry Tree has won many accolades recognising these efforts.
Electric Car Charging: Electric Vehicles reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change, improving public health and reducing ecological damage. Here at Macreddin Village, we wanted to make it convenient for Electric Vehicle owners to take a break away. BrookLodge & Macreddin Village was the first hotel in Ireland to install electric car charging points and now has 5 [pay-as-you use] charging heads. Both of these dedicated charging areas within the Village are available 24 hours a day.
Let’s not forget the basics…
We use phosphate-free cleaning agents in all departments
We use power key card savers and individual heating in all guest rooms
All office printing is done on recycled paper and each crew member types in Century Gothic which is said to use 30% less ink compared to other fonts
Our dedication to sustainability infuses every aspect of our operations, and as time passes, we eagerly embrace emerging opportunities to further reduce our environmental impact. This dedication to sustainability is not just a commitment, it is a way of life that we proudly champion. Dedicated Crew members consisting of a person from each department make up our Macreddin Village Green Team. They come together regularly to brainstorm and discuss further steps that need to be taken to ensure Macreddin Village continues its sustainable practices. New ideas are consistently being developed so that we are all ahead of the curve and that we continue to make an impact.