An environmentally sustainable business for future generations

Thatchers, a fourth generation cider maker, has been producing cider at Myrtle Farm since 1904: our long view of the local area and environment has put us in tune with the soil! Our business is our home, and the land provides our cider apples, so caring for the environment, reducing our impact, and becoming more sustainable is in our blood.

The core of our business is, of course, the production of ciders: from intake of fruits, through milling, fermentation, filling in cans, bottles and kegs, to dispatch, offices, lagoons, and treatment works; and our environmental management system has been developed to this. But the wider business includes much more: orchards, beehives, shops, and of course The Railway Inn.

We commit to the protection of the environment, to prevent pollution, and to fulfil our compliance obligations. Furthermore, we shall achieve continual improvement in our Environmental Management System, and environmental performance.

We continue to invest in clean energy initiatives through our onsite solar panels which generate renewable electricity for our offices and production, 100% green electricity, and our apple pomace producing green energy at anaerobic digestion plants.

We strive to help work towards a UK circular economy by implementing innovative and recyclable packaging solutions. This applies to our primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging for our cider bottles and cans where recycled content materials and FSC-certified cardboard are used. We shall continue to promote recycling and reuse practices for our sites and educate consumers on our packaging characteristics.

Thatchers is committed to becoming net zero in it’s own operations by 2040. We care for our local wildlife and are taking action to increase and link biodiversity of flora and fauna. With the location of our site, the management of water and effluent is also a key environmental consideration, closely followed by the reduction of waste. We will ensure we have objectives to target a focused improvement in these areas.