Thanks to support from the Sustainable Business Services team at Groundwork, Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum in Suffolk has made significant improvements in energy efficiency, procurement and waste management.
Energy
- LED lighting has replaced internal halogen lighting and external floodlights
- A 100% renewable energy tariff for electricity has been introduced
- Sub-metering has been installed to measure the efficiency of grinding
- The Sluice-gates have been re-aligned to increase efficiency and maximise use of tidal energy
- Milling techniques have been refined to enable milling on a lower tide; reducing reliance on the electric motor
Procurement
- Grain is bought from local grain merchant and is sourced locally
- Grain is delivered in bulk, in paper sacks which are re-used
- All flour is packed in paper sacks, which are purchased from a local supplier
- All products sold in the gift shop are made in Suffolk
Waste minimisation
- A bespoke extraction system has been installed which captures 120kgs of flour dust (around 88 bags) which was previously lost as waste. This flour is now collected and distributed as a new product to restaurants and will no longer go to landfill.
Sales and transport
- Flour is supplied to local bakeries and retail outlets-delivered on foot by volunteers wherever possible
- Staff, volunteers and visitors are encouraged to come on foot or by bike
