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Beechwood Inn – Eco-Friendly: Situated against the backdrop of the picturesque, North Georgia Mountains is an eco-friendly gem known as the Beechwood Inn. Although other lodging establishments make a half-hearted attempt at being green, the Beechwood Inn is unique in that the staff puts a great deal of heart and soul into the effort. Green-centric initiatives manifest themselves in the Inn’s eco-friendly amenities, seasonal menus, packages and special events.
Beechwood Inn – Eco-Friendly
Eco-Friendly Destinations: The Beechwood Inn in Clayton, Georgia
“Situated against the backdrop of the picturesque, North Georgia Mountains is an eco-friendly gem known as the Beechwood Inn. Although other lodging establishments make a half-hearted attempt at being green, the Beechwood Inn is unique in that the staff puts a great deal of heart and soul into the effort. Green-centric initiatives manifest themselves in the Inn’s eco-friendly amenities, seasonal menus, packages and special events.” Killeen Gonzalez, Yahoo! Contributor Network Dec 21, 2010
Beechwood Inn – Eco Commitment and Foods
Traveling can be a challenge for those trying to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle. From room deodorizers to non-organic breakfasts and sheets that reek of bleach, the typical overnight stay can seem so toxic you’d almost rather stay home. We are committed to providing a great visit while also offering eco-friendly practices into our operations.
Our Environmental Commitment:
It is our mission to be the best bed and breakfast in Georgia, providing the highest level of hospitality and guest experience while preserving and promoting the unique historical and environmentally sensitive nature of our property and the area; we are committed to sustainability in all practices.
The two efforts – providing luxury accommodations and being eco-friendly – are not mutually exclusive and this is proven at the inn every day. While the inn strives to deliver exceptional comfort and service to each guest, it continues to incorporate newer products and eco-friendly practices to do so in a “greener” manner to ensure that the natural beauty of our North Georgia Mountains is preserved for future generations to visit.
At the Beechwood Inn, we have attempted to use this philosophy in our analysis of the many long and short term decisions we make regarding the way we do business. Our goal is to minimize our use of natural resources while still providing a magnificent guest experience. The Inn is user-friendly, and we welcome guest suggestions and contributions on how to reduce the inn’s impact on our environment.
Our Foods
At Beechwood Inn we have an appreciation for our history, the region and traditional foodways. Food is needed by everyone, everywhere, every day. We believe that making shopping decisions that favor sustainable and local food sources, especially organic sources, benefits health, improves the local economy and is ecologically sound. We are proud of our local farmers and ranchers; their names dot our menus paying homage to those who have done the work to get such delicious ingredients through the kitchen door. Once through that door, respect and care for the ingredients play as important a role as the preparation of them. The goal of our chefs is to make as much of what is used from scratch as possible – we think that is what makes cuisine authentic. We trust you will appreciate our care and devotion to freshness.
Here are some of our Beechwood Inn – Eco-Friendly programs:
- Extensive recycling program with guest recycling center on our porch for glass, plastic, aluminum, newspaper, cardboard
- We use Mrs. Myers Clean Day cleaning products (non-toxic, natural ingredients, biodegradeable, cruelty free testing) and recycled materials wherever appropriate
- Use of organic cotton linens & bamboo towels
- Use of organic and/or locally grown food as much as possible. Most of our dinner entree meats are natural (organic, no hormones, no antibiotics, no feed lots). We use many local and organic farms for fruits, vegetables, and cheeses; we use local farmer David Taylor’s free range chickens for eggs.
- Energy efficient appliances (all Energy Star Rated), lighting is mostly compact fluorescent bulbs (CFB) and we are now converting to LED’s and other technology
- Landscaping using both historic and native plantings
- Composting of garden waste
- We avoid the use of pesticides, herbicide or commercial fertilizers on our gardens
- Low water use washer
- Guest Rooms: Low-flow showerhead (2.5 to 3.0 gpm); Fluorescent lighting where appropriate; Amenities – 100% natural, biodegradable, vegetable-oil base, dye-free, natural scents; hot water – 120 F; Linens changed between guests or on request only (towels on floor or in tub); 100% organic cotton linens; Extra blankets – room can be kept colder on winter nights if guests prefer; Glass water glasses no paper covers; Ceiling fans, No Styrofoam usage; Newly purchased furnishings of non-tropical hardwoods.
- Donate old linens to our local Woman’s Domestic Violence Shelter; appliances and furniture are recycled to our local Habitat for Humanity
Certified Habitat
Our gardens support a variety of wildlife and so you will not find it all manicured but hopefully a combination of mature trees, wild areas
as well as flowerbeds and shrubs all part of our eco-system, helping to attract insects, butterflies, birds and mammals.
Beechwood Inn’s habitat is certified in National Wildlife Federation’s World-wide network of mini refuges. Because of our conscientious planning, landscaping and sustainable gardening, wildlife may find quality habitat–food, water, cover and places to raise their young.
Designated Bird Sanctuary
Beechwood Inn’s owners have designated the 5 acres of Beechwood Inn property as a bird sanctuary. It is not permitted for any person to trap, hunt, shoot or attempt to molest in any manner any bird or wild fowl, or to rob or destroy the nests of any such birds or wild fowl within the property borders unless determined they constitute a menace to health by competent authority.
How You Can Help
Bedding and towels are changed only at your request. Please turn out lights, turn off appliances and gas fireplaces when you leave rooms. The hall and stair lights are left on as a safety precaution and many of our outside lights are solar powered. We will make sure that the standby on appliances are switched off (it is estimated that the equivalent of 2 power stations would be saved if everyone did just that). Please recycle aluminum, paper, glass bottles, cardboard and plastic bottles on our porch in our re-cycling center.
Eco-Friendly Bamboo Towels – Soft and Absorbent
We have completely re-toweled the Beechwood Inn with Kassatex Bamboo Towels. Natural, hygienic and super absorbent, these luxurious towels are 65% Bamboo and 35% Egyptian cotton yarns. The bamboo yarn comes from the bamboo tree which grows in a pesticide free environment. Its natural antibacterial characteristic is hygienically ideal for daily use. Its absorption and softness is superior to cotton. The weave is comparable to micro-fiber. And Bamboo is a renewable resource! We hope you enjoy this luxurious towel upgrade during your next visit to the Beechwood Inn.
Beechwood Inn Eco-Friendly Inn and is Environmentally Friendly to our habitat and surroundings