How we minimise our environmental impacts....... and with your help make a difference 

Recycling

We promote recycling, reused cardboard for mulching and select items with minimal packaging. 

How you can help: There is a bin for recyclable items in your cottage, when you leave you can place in the correct waste bins

Food Waste

We have managed to cut landfill waste by 66% in 3 years. One of the ways we have achieved this is by feeding food scraps to the chickens. 

How you can help: Keep you food scraps in the bucket provided and feed the chooks; they’ll love you for it! 

Plastic Waste

We support Kangaroo Valley’s Plastic Bag Free Zone and have a voluntary ban on plastic water bottles 

How you can help: Buy our refillable water bottles and borrow our shopping bags 

Water

Harvest rainwater for our cottages. Collect storm water for property irrigation. 

How you can help: Be mindful of water use, especialy during times of drought  

Electricity

Consumption has been cut. Our 5 kW solar farm provides one third of our needs, the purchased balance is 100% Accredited Green Energy 

How you can help: use natural ventilation (we have designed the cottages so you enjoy the breeze of fresh clean air), use the key tags, turn off outside lights at night, note the Centmetre (a fun device that shows energy use and cost in real time), turn off things you don’t require 

Firewood

Firewood from environmentally sustainable forests is a magnificent resource, cleaner and more efficient than electricity....and renewable. Visit our firewood plantation which is also a conservation area for wildlife. 

How you can help: read your wood fire guide that explains how to light your romantic cosy fire efficiently, collect some kindling together as you enjoy a walk on the property.

Gas

We use instant hot water systems so there is no energy waste in keeping water storage hot. 

How you can help: don’t run the hot water unnecessarily. 

Vehicles

We keep vehicle use to a minimum (buying locally), use E10 fuel 

How you can help: take advantage of our free rail and bus transfers from Berry; make the journey to us part of your holiday. Guests can borrow our bikes (its fun and you might get to see more), for longer journeys borrow our car (conditions apply) 

Chemicals

Although not a certified organic farm, Crystal Creek Meadows has a minimal chemical use policy. So you will see some weeds in the garden but also butterflies, bees and birds. Our cottages are cleaned with eco friendly products using native essential oils.

How you can help: tell us what interesting insects, birds and animals you saw during your walk as we are monitoring the results of low/no chemical use on the land. Enjoy the chemical-free fresh scent in your cottage.

Biodiversity

Free range meat, salmon from Australian fish farms and priority given to organic and local produce. Our aromatherapy range promotes the medicinal values of plants.

How you can help: select items on local menus and markets that contain local, organic ingredients. Purchase souvenirs made from local sustainable natural materials, or items that are antiques or second hand. Enjoy the scent of the aromatherapy plants  on your walks around the propery.

Conservation

60% of our property is devoted to conservation through the rehabilitation of wetlands and perennial streams.

How you can help: Guests can plant trees on our property for $3.50 or enjoy a day in the garden with Christopher and family with some conservation work (kids love to take part and travel in the trailer!) 

Threatened Species

Through the conservation activities we have seen bird species grow from just 20 (2004) to over 50 including the threatened Gang Gang Cockatoo and the Powerful Owl.

How you can help: donate to the Friends of the Brush Tailed Rock Wallaby (there are only 200 in NSW of which 40 reside in the Kangaroo Valley so your donation will help their protection through research and fox baiting programs). Take a look from your cottage or as you walk the property and let us know what birds,echidnas or wombats you see – reports contribute to our monitoring program. Please drive carefully, particiularly at dawn and dusk to avoid injury wildlife.

Every little bit makes a difference. Thank you to all our guests for their participation 

The Big Picture 

Development: Crystal Creek Meadows was established on land that had been previously cleared. We have focused our attention on rehabilitating much of the property. At the beginning, rather than pull down the original buildings we renovated and focused on insulation and the shade provided by deciduous trees. When we have built, it has been from renewable and/or reusable materials sourced from the local area. 

Our Footprint: Since applying responsible actions we have cut our CO2 footprint from 50 tonnes (2007) to 14 tonnes (2010-11) – read our Environmental Statement, see below. 

Consumerism: We focus our attention on consuming fewer materials, wasting less and enjoying more from experiences that support local culture and the environment. We buy antiques, second hand items where practical.  Crystal Creek Meadows is an original member of the Green Box Cooperative, a community not for profit organisation to promote local produce.

Aromatherapy: Our aromatherapy range uses organic or Australian essential oils as much as possible. We favour minimal packaging and glassware rather than plastic (unless it is not practical). Crystal Creek Meadows is a member of the Essential Oil Producers of Australia.

Local economy: The majority of our expenditure is within a 40 km radius – see Local is Better 

Verification: Our conservation and CO2 footprint claims are independently verified. In addition Crystal Creek Meadows is Nature Tourism certified by EcoTourism Australia and Climate Action – Leader accredited by Sustainable Tourism Australia.

Crystal Creek Meadows' efforts to become more sustainable have been recognised nationally (read more...)

Read the results of our endevours to become more efficient and supportive to the Kangaroo Valley community in the report attached below.