Each year we review our progress towards a sustainable and ethical adventure centre delivering fun but safe sessions to our users. We want to make our customers aware of our sustainable and responsible tourism practices,  so we have been adding more signage about sustainability, telling them about places to go using public transport, and getting our instructors to engage with customers telling them about Dartmoor, the countryside and wildlife.

Major Developments in the last three years

Energy

In 2022 our self-build project was the new Cycle Hub building at Okehampton Station, which has an Air Source Heat Pump and underfloor heating combined with good insulation, creating a more sustainable new build.  The solar tunnels add light to the building reducing the need to light the room during the summer.  Between 2023 and 2025, we switched our energy suppliers to one that claims to use 100% renewable sources and we have installed additional solar panels at Bracken Tor. Whilst we would like to do this at YHA Okehampton, there are some technical issues that at present mean this is not possible.

Transport

After 18 months on order the first new electric minibus finally arrived in 2023 and entered service in the fleet, the first steps towards changing our fleet over to all electric.  Fortunately the second electric minibus was added after a shorter period and entered service in 2025.

Waste

Since 2022, we recycled 75% of our waste, partly by taking on recycling glass ourselves. This has been a gradual journey, starting from 30% recycling in 2014, to 60% by 2018 and since 2022 we have maintained a level of  75%. All used cooking oil and food waste is collected and recycled.

Reductions in the % of water usage.

In 2022 we have installed a second grey water system in the new Cycle Hub building, increasing the level to which we use water from the roofs for for toilets and laundry at YHA Okehampton and Granite Way Cycle Hub and Cafe.

Since 2019 we have reduced our water bills by 24% though adding valves to reduce pressure, based on information and advice from SW Water.

Reducing our energy use

Adventure Okehampton’s utility bills represent a large percentage of our running costs. If we can become more efficient in our use of energy, then we can reduce our bills and give long term benefits for the environment. Hence as traditional lights fail they are replaced with energy efficient LED lighting throughout sites.  We have reduced  energy use by creating zonation systems into the buildings, which allow more careful control of heating levels.

In terms of self generation, in 2018 we added Solar Panels at the Bracken Tor Function Room generating up to 4000kW per annum. At the same time, we have changed the way the electricity is supplied to the three buildings at Bracken Tor, so that any excess energy from the Solar Panels can now be used in Bracken Tor Lodge. The gradual switch to LED lighting has reduced the amount spent on bulbs per annum by 80% as well as reducing customer complaints about flickering lights. In 2023 we added further solar panels at Bracken Tor to increase the level of generation on our journey to become carbon neutral.

Ensuring our use of local suppliers
Whilst costs often mean that we can buy produce at a lower cost from one of the large suppliers that have distribution centres some distance from Okehampton, we seek to use, where possible, local suppliers for daily supplies of eggs and milk, local producers for vegetables and meat. We bake cakes, biscuits and acquire some goods from local bakers rather than buy pre-packed products for packed lunches and resale.

Increasing our “Free-from” food options.
We have sought better signage for our “free-from” menu options, we have folders with information on all allergens for staff and customers and we have added new products increasing the proportion of gluten-free and dairy-free products in shop and snack-bar.

Installation of electric car charging point We are investigating adding a rapid charge point for two parking spaces at the Granite Way Cycle Hub, as the old overnight charge point is now being used for our own fleet of vehicles.