Sustainability Statement
The wedding industry has long been recognised as inherently wasteful. A widely cited Sainsbury report from 2017 revealed that approximately one-tenth of all food served at weddings ends up wasted, while other studies have highlighted staggering amounts of plastic waste, ranging from 20kg to an alarming 180kg per wedding.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way.
At THB, we see ourselves as problem-solvers, innovators, dynamic, and flexible. We don’t shy away from challenges; instead, we embrace them and continuously push ourselves to improve. Tackling climate change and caring for our planet are integral parts of our ethos. It’s about acknowledging our role in the problem, learning from past mistakes, and sharing our experiences to build solutions together with the couples who entrust us with one of the most significant days of their lives.
On Earth Day 2022, we pledged to take intentional and tangible action to enhance the environmental sustainability of the UK wedding industry. Since then, we’ve proudly assumed the role of stewards for the Welsh countryside we call home and the communities we serve. By actively reducing carbon emissions and waste, we’re contributing to the preservation of this beautiful part of the Earth for present and future generations.
Our pledge statement:
We pledge to be a sustainable, environmentally conscious company committed to making decisions today that will improve our environmental standing tomorrow. We pledge to raise awareness and to be a change agent to help reduce the impact of UK weddings on the environment.
Innovation is part of our DNA. We encourage idea sharing and out-of-the-box thinking to tackle the massive challenge of climate change both in Wales and at a global level. We pledge to guide our couples, suppliers, and industry partners to join us in our mission.
22nd April 2022
What does this mean?
A statement lacks substance without clarity on the who, what, how, and when. We’re committed to avoiding empty promises. While the potential for improvement is vast, we acknowledge the risk of becoming overwhelmed by fixating solely on the big picture, potentially stumbling at the first hurdle.
That’s why we’re focusing on the key polluting factors within the wedding industry, scrutinizing our approach to each one. We’re challenging ourselves to set realistic goals that produce tangible results, ensuring our efforts lead to meaningful and enduring impact.
We Are Going To:
Take Action To Reduce Food Mileage
Food mileage contributes a significant proportion of overall food-related carbon emissions. To combat this we’ll continue to improve our sourcing, working specifically with suppliers who align with our mission. With a wonderful selection of local producers right on our doorstep, this one’s a no-brainer!
Support The Local Economy By Choosing Small Welsh Businesses, Where Possible
Data shows that by buying local, up to 63p of every pound remains within the local economy – which is enormous! This translates into more money spent on improving the local community allowing us to fight climate change in a way that also benefits our neighbours. That’s why we’re committed to growing relations within the local community, to support Welsh small businesses and locally grown, field-to-fork initiatives, where possible.
Significantly Cut Food Waste
Sources estimate that one-tenth of all wedding food ends up in the bin representing a huge amount of food wastage produced by the wedding industry as a whole. We plan to significantly reduce our contribution by catering specifically and for the correct number of guests and by being intentional with our menu choices through the promotion of seasonal menus.
Remain Paperless Where Possible
In 2020 we made the switch to e-contracts and in 2021 we went digital with most of our brochures and promotional materials. We’ll continue to uphold these efforts where possible and further encourage our suppliers, contractors and couples to support this.
We Hope To:
Begin Composting and Use Polytunnels To Grow Our Own Vegetables
Composting will allow us to avoid our minimal food waste ending up in landfill and ‘close the loop’ in our consumption habits. This means that energy isn’t wasted – the food we grow will be served and anything wasted will contribute to the future growth of delicious fruit and vegetables in our gardens.
Reduce Our Reliance On Single-Use Plastics And Catering Disposables
We probably don’t need to explain why this is important – David Attenborough did a great job a few years ago. We all know microplastics damage our precious earth and all its inhabitants. However, there is a balance to be struck; sometimes single-use plastics are important for certain sectors of society. Our mission to tackle climate change will never lead to exclusion.
Recycle and Repurpose Materials Where Possible
Surprisingly uncommon in the wedding industry – this is something we feel is extremely important, and easily achieved with a little planning and training. We’ll share resources as part of our journey to help you participate in this goal as you plan your wedding.
Nurture Partnerships With Like-Minded Providers
We’ll endeavour to nurture partnerships with suppliers and providers who share our values because together, our efforts are more impactful.
In the future, we intend to develop a ‘sustainable wedding’ package, with everything made by or provided by us, or by specially selected suppliers that align with our values and our mission.
What Comes Next?
We’ve always felt that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well and we’re committed to accountability and transparency as we embark on this journey. As we work towards becoming a more sustainable wedding venue, we’ll provide annual updates on this page and share regular updates and resources via our social media channels, website, and email communications. Fostering ongoing conversations about environmental issues and collective action is crucial to us, and we aim to lead the way in this regard.
While we recognize that we can’t do everything overnight, and certainly not without your support, we invite you to hold us accountable, challenge us to improve, and learn alongside us. We’re excited to see what we can achieve together.
> Read our Earth Day Sustainability Update on ‘what we’ve been doing so far’, published 07/06/22
April 2023 update
In our 2022 Earth Day statement, we pledged to take intentional and tangible action towards improving the environmental sustainability of the wedding industry. This still rings true today, more than ever.
We continue to see ourselves as proud stewards of both the Welsh countryside we call home and the communities we live and work with.
Over the past 12 months, we have:
Implemented A Recycling System: We successfully implemented a recycling system in our bar and back-of-house areas, ensuring proper sorting of waste materials for recycling and collection. This initiative has significantly reduced our environmental footprint and enhanced our waste management practices.
Reduced Food Waste and Local Sourcing: We’ve taken further action to reduce food wastage, cut food miles, and minimize the use of single-use plastics in both our operations and with our couples. By prioritising local sourcing and mindful consumption, we’re making strides towards a more sustainable future.
Planted A Heritage Welsh Apple Orchard: One of our most exciting accomplishments to date is the establishment of a Heritage Welsh Apple Orchard on the venue grounds. This orchard celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the region while preserving rare apple varieties from extinction. We’re eager to incorporate these locally grown apples into our food and drink offerings, further promoting sustainability and supporting local agriculture.
You can see more of our updates here.
Looking ahead to the next 12 months, we have ambitious plans to continue our sustainability journey:
Composting Project: We’re eager to embark on a new composting project for our organic food waste, further closing the loop on our consumption habits and minimizing landfill contributions.
Environmental Accreditation and Partnerships: We plan to explore relevant environmental accreditation processes, such as ISO 14001, and seek alliances with industry bodies that share our sustainability ethos. These initiatives will enhance our credibility and enable us to continuously improve our environmental practices.
As always, we remain dedicated to fostering dialogue with our couples and encouraging conscious decision-making in wedding planning. Together, we can make a positive impact on our natural environment while creating unforgettable wedding celebrations.
Statement issued 21 April 2023
April 2024 update
As we reflect on the past year, we’re thrilled to share our latest achievements in our ongoing commitment to sustainability. Here’s what we’ve accomplished:
Nominated for a ‘Building Biodiversity’ award: We were honoured to be nominated for the ‘Building Biodiversity’ award at 2024 the Sustainable Wedding Alliance awards for our groundbreaking ‘Living-Museum’ apple-orchard project. Although we didn’t win, this recognition underscores our dedication to fostering biodiversity and preserving our natural surroundings.
Registered as members with the Sustainable Wedding Alliance: We’re proud to announce that we’ve officially become members of the Sustainable Wedding Alliance. This partnership reaffirms our commitment to sustainability and provides us with valuable resources, support and training to further our efforts.
Partnership with Barnardo’s: We were honoured to partner with Barnardo’s to promote the benefits of sustainable British-sourced weddings and opting for second-hand wedding attire and/or décor as part of your big day. By joining forces with Barnardo’s, we aim to raise awareness about the environmental impact of weddings, offer an alternative cost-effective solution and ultimately inspire couples to make more sustainable choices.
Hosted our first fully sustainable wedding: We were delighted to host our first fully sustainable wedding earlier this year. From a locally sourced second-hand dress purchased on Facebook Marketplace that by some happy coincidence had visited the Barns previously (small world!) to beautiful DIY décor created using repurposed glass jars and bottles, every aspect of this event was carefully planned by the forward-thinking couple to minimise their weddings environmental footprint and we’re honoured that they chose the Barns to host their remarkable day.
We remain committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainability and pioneering innovative solutions within the wedding industry. Over the next 12 months, we aim to:
Composting Project: Despite our head gardener Sean making progress with our composting project over the past year, time seemed to slip away, and we weren’t able to fully launch it. In 2024, we’re determined to bring our composting project to fruition, further closing the loop on our consumption habits, reducing waste and minimising landfill contributions.
Measure Our Biodiversity Impact: While we’ve made significant strides in enhancing biodiversity through initiatives such as our ‘Living-Museum’ apple-orchard project, it’s essential to quantify our impact accurately. Over the coming year, we’d like to implement robust biodiversity monitoring measures. By analyzing flora and fauna diversity on our grounds, we aim to gauge the effectiveness of our initiatives to guide future conservation efforts.
Statement issued 20 April 2024