Rhug Estate has been announced as one of the finalists in the National Newspaper’s Environmental Entrepreneur Award with the winner being announced next month.
The Environmental Entrepreneur Award recognises those starting out or supporting environmentally friendly businesses. Sponsored by Valero Environmental, the award was open to anyone who has set up a new carbon zero business as well as long-established entrepreneurs who have spotted an opportunity and invested in, or supported, the launch of a new environmentally committed business.
Rhug Estate is one of three finalists. The first finalist is: Sero Waste who have started a refill shop in Newport. It is the first shop of its kind in the city. The second finalist is Afallen, Afallen was started after a gap was spotted in the sustainability market in Wales for a Wales-based, high-end consultancy focused on helping organisations understand and work with the Future Generations Act.
Lord Newborough, Owner of Rhug Estate said, “I am truly thrilled for my team that Rhug Estate has been chosen as a finalist for this award, sustainability is in our DNA at Rhug. My driving force has been to work with the environment and to protect and enhance the rich tapestry of the countryside and by doing so enhance the environment for the next generation. Climate change is our biggest threat and we owe it to the next generation to do everything we can to mitigate its effects. At Rhug we really care about sustainability in everything we do, organic farming, organic skin care, green energy and caring for the environment. We are constantly looking at how each aspect of the business can reduce its carbon footprint. We have measured our carbon footprint on the estate and this is our benchmark for the future.”
At the heart of Rhug is Lord Newborough’s commitment to an organic lifestyle. Rhug’s organic farm leads the way with all the animals reared on the farm fed on feed grown on the farm and they can range freely onto clover-rich pastures that are free of sprays and artificial fertiliser. The highest standard of animal welfare are practised with no routine injections or dosing.
The Estate produces its own power through solar, hydro and wind systems to ensure a minimal carbon footprint and a truly sustainable approach to agriculture. Rhug has also recently invested in measuring and monitoring its carbon footprint so that improvements can be made to make the entire farm business reach the Government’s target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Rhug’s Wild Beauty skin care products are bottled and packaged in recyclable materials. The majority of products are produced in glass jars or bottles. Where plastic bottles have been used for select body products, these are made entirely (100%) from Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic. This is an environmentally friendly alternative that recycles plastic waste that would otherwise find its way into landfill. All mail order delivery boxes are made from 100% recycled cardboard and printed with 100% vegetable inks.
The winners of the National Environmental Awards will be announced on Thursday, 4 November 2021.