EcoBusiness Success - Reithof Rumke Inc.
Published on February 16, 2011
Reithof Rumke
Reithof Rumke Inc. has successfully completed the Cornwall Carbon Reduction Initiative project, EcoBusiness, which assists local companies as they adapt to the changing economic climate. Since today's market is rapidly changing as communities focus more and more on environmental sustainability, EcoBusiness provided guidance to several businesses in SD&G transition to this new economy. Reithof Rumke accepted the challenge and has improved its environmental sustainability. The equestrian facility was already very ecologically aware; EcoBusiness encouraged the business to become even more aware of eco-friendly procedures and provided assistance towards integrating more environmentally sustainable practices into its business operations.
Reithof Rumke is an equestrian facility located just east of Lancaster, Ontario. Reithof Rumke offers horse training, riding instruction, summer camps, vaulting lessons, working student packages, horse retirement packages and much more. Brigitte Rumke, a CEF certified Level 2 coach and former champion dressage rider, operates the facility and coaches dressage, jumping and vaulting at all levels. Brigitte opened Reithof Rumke in 2007 to promote the discipline she loves while helping other riders discover the wonder of horses.
The full-service stable includes an indoor arena, outdoor riding ring, plenty of riding trails, 20 box-stall barn, fields with shelters and heated water bowls. The barn also has a locker room, bathroom and feed room, all heated. The 145-acre property was the first business in SD&G to complete the EcoBusiness project.
Brigitte along with owners Olaf and Monika Rumke have recognized their eco-accomplishments and are working on establishing future eco-projects, including the installation of solar panels on the roof of the barn and adding more solar powered electric fences.
Brigitte, Olaf, and Monika are continually instigating a search for “greener” products and services in the local community. They buy local as often as possible and treat the horses with apples bought from the trees of Marlin Orchards in Cornwall. There is even an apple tree on the Rumke property. The bedding for the horses is manufactured and processed in Valleyfield, QC only 35 kilometres away. The wood shavings are reclaimed from a mill and then dried and packaged as livestock bedding.
If new items are not needed, Reithof Rumke buys second-hand or refurbished and reuses furniture instead of sending it to the dump, and brings retired items to second hand stores for someone else to use. To continue minimal waste emissions, magazines and newspapers are shared with employees, clients and visitors.
Recyclables are left out of the garbage and plastic water bottles and Styrofoam (polystyrene) have been eliminated from the stable. Written communications are done by email and printing is kept to a minimum. To ensure that items are being recycled and not sent to landfills, recycling bins are accessible to everyone to keep waste consumption to a minimum. Hazardous materials, including light bulbs, batteries, paints, chemicals and oils are disposed of safely and the Rumke family is aware of hazardous waste procedures and drop-offs within the community. Food waste and other compostable items are sent to a compost pile on the premises.
Reithof Rumke produces minimal waste generation and the quantity of waste is monitored and complies with relevant legislations. Horse manure is very organic and starts to decompose as soon as it hits the ground. Microorganisms break down the organic compounds of manure and even bedding, which recycles nutrients back into the soil, while releasing carbon dioxide, water, and heat.
To keep energy consumption down, not only is stable work done manually by employees, but equipment that is necessary is turned off when not in use. Compact fluorescent lights have been installed in every outlet of the barn. The indoor arena is equipped with specialty energy-saving lighting from local manufacturer, Triumph Manufacturing in Apple Hill and is the first riding arena to use this type of lights. Heating in the arena is not necessary during the colder months since the fabric roof cover allows in warmth from the sun. The electric fences that enclose the horse pasture are solar-powered. Energy consumption is monitored, helping the Rumkes ensure that everything is operating efficiently.
Employees live on site, which eliminates the need to drive to work; therefore, gas and oil consumption is kept to a minimum. Also, indoor air quality is monitored and controlled. Trees surround the equestrian facility; the rural outdoor air is clean and fresh. Five hundred deciduous trees were planted on the property in 2009 and 500 more will be planted in 2011. Olaf has expressed his concern of the deforestation of the surrounding area and is enthusiastic about planting trees on his property to support wildlife and provide wind barriers.
Reithof Rumke runs off a rural well and employees are sure to never leave taps dripping and any leaky faucets are fixed immediately. Since Canada could face a fresh water shortage in the near future, it is vital to be efficient with water use. The Rumkes recognize this risk and do not deliberately contribute to water wasted. To further the facility’s dedication to the environment, a composting toilet was installed in the bathroom of the barn. Traditional toilets use approximately 6-7 litres of water per flush and compost toilets use a fraction of that amount.
Cornwall Carbon Reduction Initiative is proud to announce Reithof Rumke as an EcoBusiness.
EcoBusiness is a project of the Cornwall Carbon Reduction Initiative. This project has received funding support from the Eastern Ontario Development Program. The Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) is a $10-million Government of Canada initiative which promotes socio-economic development in rural Eastern Ontario, encourages a competitive and diversified regional economy, and contributes to the successful development of business and job opportunities and sustainable, self-reliant communities.
