ENVIRONMENTAL

The Greendale Group is working hard to become a more sustainable concern, minimising its impact on both the local community and the wider world. Sustainability-led initiatives range from using renewable energy to power businesses (via an AD plant and solar array) to trialling fishing methods designed to reduce emissions and lower fossil-fuel usage, as well as focusing on locally-sourced meat, fish and produce at Greendale Farm Shop. The Group is also part of farm land-management trials to help protect natural local habitats, and aims to reduce the carbon footprint of Greendale beef production to net-zero by 2027.

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Situated at Greendale Business Park, Greendale Group’s own anaerobic digestion (AD) plant, Willowglen, generates clean, renewable energy to power Group businesses. The AD plant is ‘fed’ with an innovative input mix of organic materials collected from Greendale farmland (predominantly cattle dung) and rainwater harvested from farm buildings, to create biogas and, in turn, clean electricity. Everything electrical at Greendale runs on renewable energy from the AD plant or the solar array, including lights, refrigerators, ovens, delivery vans and even forklift trucks!

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Fishing initiatives

Waterdance Fishing works with the WFPO on sustainability projects, including the Sumwing trial for beam trawlers. Designed to fly just above the seabed, Sumwing technology has shown reduced seabed contact and lower fuel use. The current south-west trial, supported by Seafish experts, will test its suitability for UK vessels, including the Waterdance fleet.

Waterdance Fishing

Farming initiatives

The Greendale Farming team is currently working to reduce its beef-production carbon footprint to net-zero by 2027. This includes trialling cattle feed made with by-products from the brewing and baking industries, and recording individual animal growth and harnessing lifetime data to optimise productivity. Greendale Farming is also participating in an environmental land-management trial with Clinton Devon Estates, and in addition – under the government’s Countryside Stewardship Scheme – is committed to conserving natural farmland habitats for birds and insects, including protecting flower-rich field margins and promoting low fertiliser-use zones

Greendale Farming

Love Local Campaign

Greendale Farm Shop proudly sells meat from Greendale farmland and fish from Waterdance boats, alongside exceptional produce from West Country growers and makers. By championing local suppliers, Greendale offers customers great choice while supporting the local economy and reducing food miles — a commitment celebrated through its Love Local campaign and popular Exeter food festival.

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