Another important prong in being environmentally proactive is to help guests experience an area's rich culture, natural beauty, unique wildlife and history. The inn has partnered with several local businesses to create opportunities, both eco-friendly packages and custom itineraries, for guests to experience firsthand "the Real Maine" from a working lobster boat excursion, to walking Maine's Birding trail, to hiking on an island or learning the rich history of Rockland's Lime industry.

The Berry Manor Inn is committed to helping our guests indulge in the amenities offered at the inn "guilt free", as a means to renew and restore their own personal energy often depleted from the demands of everyday life and to better able them to make "greener" decisions in their own lives. To offset the resources consumed through the use of our fireplaces, whirlpool tubs and body jet showers, the Berry Manor Inn not only purchases Maine-based RECs (Renewable Energy Credits) to offset the inn's carbon footprint but has also pledged $3 of every reservation to local eco-friendly organizations committed to preserving Maine's green spaces, protecting wildlife or researching renewable energy options. Lastly, the inn offers easy to use links for an individual guest to offset the carbon footprint from their travels if they so choose.   

Berry Manor Inn Environmental Mission Statement
The Berry Manor Inn is committed to:

1. Working diligently to minimize the amount of waste going into our landfills and to conserve our natural resources particularly through energy and water conservation and by recycling all materials possible, reusing non-recyclables as dictated by common sense, sanitary conditions and ability of a material to be reused;
   
2. Making environmental considerations part of our everyday business decision- making process including but not limited to purchasing products made from recycled materials, purchasing energy star rated appliances, buying local, and buying products in bulk and supporting the local community;
   
3. Valuing the natural and cultural heritage of coastal Maine and to help guests enjoy and appreciate an authentic local experience through the development of eco-friendly packages, and recreational opportunities;
   
4. Complying with all applicable environmental laws and strive to follow best environmental practice in all facets of operations without compromising guest comfort;
   
5. Building local partnerships with other inns and businesses to strengthen business relationships and the sense of  "community" and to effect positive awareness and practice changes toward  the protection of our natural resources, local culture and the environment;
   
6. Soliciting feedback and suggestions from our guests regarding the inn's environmental practices;
   
7. Identifying areas for environmental improvements in our operations and continue to make improvements that promote conservation and reduce the waste stream and carbon footprint of our business.

Green Practices at the Berry Manor Inn
The list of environmentally-friendly and community practices in use at the Berry Manor Inn is long, ranging from widespread use of compact fluorescent bulbs and solar lighting to donation and recycling of old towels, clothing, shampoo and soaps to local charities. The inn uses bio-fuel for heating oil, and recycles guest and office products and encourages guests to use their own "peddle power" to walk to the downtown shops, restaurants and harbor!

Other eco-friendly efforts in practiced at the inn include:

General

• Purchase of Maine Wind Watt RECs  (Renewable Energy Certificates) to offset the inn's carbon footprint 
  
• Widespread use of compact fluorescent bulbs and LED emergency lights
  
• Widespread use of dimmable lights and timers throughout guest and common areas
  
• Individually controlled heat and air conditioning zones in each guestroom
  
• Group Contract for bio-fuel heating oil
  
• Use of thermal storm windows and doors to improve energy efficiency
  
• Purchase and use of energy efficient appliances
  
• Recycle old telephone books and reuse old furniture, china, linens via donations to local charities
  
• Donation of old linens and towels for re-use at Animal Shelters, old bathrobes for local Women's Domestic Violence Shelter, unused shampoos/conditioners to homeless shelter and unclaimed guest clothing to Salvation Army
  
• Recycling centers for newspapers, plastic, glass and metals; housekeepers trained to remove recyclable goods from common trash in rooms (i.e. newspapers, plastic bottles, soda cans)
  
• Post placards to announce waste reduction options and available guest participation in being "green"
• Preserved historic and architecturally significant buildings as Historic Bed and breakfast inn

Inn Initiatives

• Use of Green Seal Certified cleaning products
  
• Purchase concentrated cleaning supplies in bulk and use refillable bottles
  
• Use of paper liners in trashcans versus plastic bags
  
• Purchase phosphate free laundry soaps in bulk and recycle plastic soap containers
  
• Use of environmentally friendly packaging for guest room amenities
  
• Use of daily newspapers available centrally to all guests instead of automatically to all guest rooms
  
• Using open windows, window shades, and fans to provide shade and comfort to guests minimize the need for air-conditioning
  
• Linen Program - change sheets every 3 days, at checkout or upon request
  
• Towel Program - change towels upon request by guest
  
• Use washable cups in place of disposable cups in guest bathrooms
  
• Use and purchase of reusable food storage containers
  
• Use paper products for "to go" request
  
• Use reusable cups for coffee and beverages in common areas
  
• Committed to using eco-friendly biodegradable cutlery made of corn starch at inn events
  
• Purchase locally grown, organic products and bulk products where possible
  
• Reuse and recycle plastic bags and use reusable cloth bags for groceries
  
• Use and purchase of recycled paper and office products and recycling of used print cartridges
  
• Use and purchase of recycled paper products for printing needs
  
• Use of all-natural lawn care and gardening products containing no pesticides as much as possible
  
• Solar path lighting installed
  
• Use of non-toxic ice treatment products
  
• Use of low-flow toilets
  
• Regular maintenance program to reduce leaks and drips from faucets, etc.
  
• Regular maintenance program to maintain washers and dryers and other mechanicals to optimize efficiencies
  
• Member Local Food Coop and Organic Market
  
• Involved with CSAs at local farms
  
• Have kitchen garden for herbs, greens and garnishes used at the inn
  
• Collects all kitchen food and coffee waste and gives to a local farm for feed for the pigs and to compost.
  

Carbon Offsets
The Berry Manor Inn is committed to helping our guests indulge in the amenities offered at the inn "guilt free" as a means to renew and restore our guests own personal energy often depleted from the demands of everyday life and to better able them to make "greener" decisions in their own lives.  To offset the resources consumed through the use of our fireplaces, whirlpool tubs and body jet showers, the Berry Manor Inn not only purchases Maine Wind RECs (Renewable Energy Credits) to offset the inn's carbon footprint  but has also pledged $3 of every reservation to local eco-friendly organizations committed to preserving Maine's green spaces, protecting wildlife or researching renewable energy options.

Guests are also welcome to charge additional monies for "Green Pledges" to their bill at check out to be included in our donations to local eco-friendly organizations or can purchase their own RECs from Maine Interfaith Power or CarbonFund.org.