Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre


Key 'green' issues facing the business

  • One electricity meter for whole site, making monitoring usage very difficult.
  • Priority of business is production and retail of willow products. Visitor centrRSPB Exhibitione is under utilised.

What has the business done so far?

  • Linked up with the RSPB, which maintains a display on upper floor of visitor centre.
  • Sells one third of the world's artisan charcoal that is made onsite using locally grown willow.
  • Produce own willow starter kit on sale in shop
  • Bark waste composted in 1/4-acre composting area
  • Plastic packaging and bubble wrap re-used for wrapping willow products


Future 'green' developments

  • Link up centre with local community & special interest groups, and promote as a small meeting/conference venue (with minor upgrades such as pull-down projector screen). To increase awareness of centre and indirectly bring more customers to both visitor centre and shop.
  • Displace water in toilet cisterns using weighted down empty drinks bottles. Test to ensure flush still sufficient before leaving for visitors.
  • Install PIR (Passive Infra Red) sensors in visitor centre to control lighting at each stage of a walk through the exhibits. Saves electricity and staff time.
  • Make urinals waterless yet hygienic by using eco-cubes. See www.eco-works.co.uk
  • Sell compostable dog bags and scoops to avoid plastic waste onsite and local area.
  • Installed (covered) cycle rack onsite in car park. Promote this on-line and onsite in conjunction with cycle route info.
  • Provide information on local natural attractions, nature reserves, AONB's etc. In addition to estate information. Wildlife organisations can help with this.

Top 'green' tips

  • Installed own wind pump for tank supplying willow boiler
  • Residual heat from charcoal kilns re-used to 'pre-heat' and dry willow baskets.
  • Promotion of tearoom as local meeting place, with loyalty card for regular customers.


For more information contact: Jean Allen, Willows & Wetlands Centre, Stoke St Gregory, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 6HY, www.englishwillowbaskets.co.uk