Blenheim to phase out single use plastics

As part of our commitment, we are implementing a series of new environmental initiatives across the Estate.

Plastic straws have been replaced with paper ones in all our eateries, no plastic water bottles are being sold on site and all Blenheim water is only available in glass bottles – which are made up of 80% recycled glass.

Our cafés have invested in crockery cups, resulting in a 50% reduction in the use of disposable coffee cups; our take-away cutlery is made by Veg-ware, a 100% natural and biodegradable product; and no polystyrene takeaway containers are available on the Estate.

All the heavy-duty bin liners across all office and working areas are 100% natural and biodegradable and we have also introduced reusable, locally-sourced cups and bags for life, made from jute, in our retail outlets.

Jacqueline Gibson, Blenheim’s Sustainability Advisor, said:

“We are also working in partnership with Friends of the Earth Oxford and Sustainable Woodstock, to share best practice with other local shops and organisations to reduce single-use plastic (SUP).

In the past year, we have provided environmental training to 82% of staff, commissioned external consultants to host a Waste Workshop for senior teams, and standardised the way waste is segregated and stored for recycling across all our offices and work areas. We are trialling the use of a fully biodegradable ‘plastic bag’ in our retail shop, while offering paper bags for smaller purchases.

Our Green Team are working with suppliers and event providers to reduce the amount of SUP entering through our palace gates in the first instance. We are also switching our coffee cup waste removal firm to Simply Cups UK. This is one of two companies in the UK who recycle coffee cups, thereby diverting this waste away from landfill. The material can then be remade into alternative plastic products.

Additionally, the introduction of a recycling compactor on site in March results in plastic and cellophane packaging material being recycled, rather than ending up in the general waste."