Silos and the Environment
Carbon Neutral
In 2007 Silos Estate outlined a three year plan to become fully self sufficient in energy needs. As an interim measure it commenced using solar panels for all outdoor lighting; moved to 100% renewable energy sources; replaced all old and/or inefficient lighting and appliances; and commenced a recycling program. In fact for the majority of its energy needs, Silos Estate became carbon neutral in 2007.
Within the next 24 months, Silos Estate plans to reduce its ecological footprint to such an extent by generating its own energy through solar and wind power that it is anticipated that it will be carbon negative i.e. sequester or offset more carbon than it emits.
Silos Estate has also taken major steps in the use of water. All guests now use rainwater in their rooms, while all waste water is treated and recycled for use elsewhere on the Estate. Silos Estate also does not irrigate its vines - one of the few wineries in Australia which doesn't. Each year, Silos Estate now saves hundreds of tonnes of CO2 emissions and tens of thousands of litres of water. Coupled with our native tree planting program, this has dramatically reduced the ecological footprint of the Estate.
We very much want our visitors to have a worry free (and guilt free!) stay - and by and large, these environmentally sensitive measures have had no direct impact on our guests. In fact, a number have chosen to adopt some of the measures we have implemented back at their homes locally and overseas.
Carbon Offsets
Silos Estate has also implemented an initiative whereby guests are able to use carbon credits to offset their emissions from driving to and from the Estate. Based on calculations provided by the Australian Greenhouse Office, guests can have a small charge added to their bill which is used to offset their emissions by planting a tree. Since the program commenced, dozens of trees have been planted and will be used to offset guests' carbon emissions many times over.
In addition, Silos Estate now also offers carbon neutral weddings, where the entire carbon footprint for a wedding can be offset.
Earth Hour Participant
Silos Estate is also proud to be the first Shoalhaven Coast business to participate in Earth Hour. For Earth Hour 2008, all guests received a complimentary energy saving light globe and were invited to participate in the event by turning off all non-essential lights and appliances for one hour on March 29, 2008. The event was a terrific success and raised further awareness of environmental issues by living the ‘think global, act local' promise.