Our Environment
White Meadows Farms has dedicated a huge effort in changing the way we treat our environment. From energy conservation to composting and recycling we are taking every step we can to protect our planet from ourselves.
Lighting
In “The Maple Sweet Shop” (our on-farm retail store) we have started to replace our existing halogen spot lights with the greatly energy efficient LED spot lights, reducing our yearly electricity consumption by 94%.
Manufacturing
The production of maple syrup is a manufacturing process relying heavily on burning fuel to produce heat to boil water out of the sap. Some maple operations rely on oil as there primary heat source. At White Meadows Farms we are very aware of the environmental impact fossil fuels have on the environment, which is why we use wood as our main fuel source. Not only is wood a renewable resource but the left over ash is used to enrich the soil we grow our crops on.
Packaging
The labels on many of our products are printed in a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified manufacturing facility. This state-of-the-art eco-friendly facility incorporates sustainable site planning, innovative wastewater technologies to use reclaimed rainwater, recycling heat from the printing presses to heat the building, use of recycled construction materials, and indoor environmental quality in its design.
Restaurant Waste
The Pancake House, as in many restaurants, produces a large amount of waste. This waste in the form of beverage bottles and cups, disposable cutlery and plates and left over food, adds up to be a big impact on the environment if not dealt with properly. The paper products, left over food and anything that is biodegradable is sorted, composted on site and is used to fertilize our fields. All plastic recycling is dealt with in the same manner and is sent to a local recycling facility to be processed into a new product. This project has enabled us to reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill by over 75%.
Heating
White Meadows Farms has a work shop on the farm for repairing farm equipment and building tools used for our maple syrup. Much of the work done in this building is in the winter months. During the summer of 2009, we have installed a solar heating system to supplement the current heating system, and reduce the buildings carbon footprint.
By you supporting our business and others that are taking steps to protect the environment we live in, you are ensuring a sustainable future and a greener tomorrow.