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In recent years, I’ve seen a noticeable shift in how holiday parks and resorts are approaching pet-friendliness. With more guests choosing to bring their dogs along on their getaways, creating a “Pet Positive” experience could be the next step to truly stand out. Holiday parks can go beyond “dog-friendly” policies by providing tailored spaces that allow pets to enjoy their stay as much as their owners.

One idea I’ve often thought about (especially as a pet owner myself) is the benefit of adding dog agility fields that guests can reserve for private or group sessions. This extra touch would be valuable for visitors who, like me, travel with dogs that might be nervous around other animals or in unfamiliar settings.

Why Offer Dedicated Dog Agility Fields?

Statistics from sources like Hoseasons highlight the growing popularity of pet-friendly accommodations, with over 70% of travelers seeking spaces that cater to their pets. But being “Pet Positive” isn’t just about allowing pets on-site; it’s about enhancing their experience. By securing a field dedicated to agility and play, holiday parks can provide a safe, enriching environment that guests can book either as a complimentary perk or as an added, paid option.

Such a facility allows for secure off-lead time, which has been shown to be beneficial for dogs’ mental and physical health. According to studies, off-lead exercise can increase dogs’ happiness and reduce anxiety by over 20%, thanks to the freedom to explore and expend energy. Not only does this promote exercise, but it also reduces stress—especially important for dogs visiting new places, where typical walking options may feel restricted.

Sustainable recycled plastic dog agility by DCW Polymers durable long-lasting – Hoop jump

Sustainable recycled plastic dog agility equipment by DCW Polymers Ltd

Sustainable recycled plastic dog agility equipment by DCW Polymers Ltd

What Makes Our Agility Equipment Perfect for Holiday Parks

My team and I have crafted our dog agility equipment with ease of installation and maintenance in mind. We deliver it mostly assembled, with some items requiring just eight bolts to put together, ensuring a simple setup. And the best part? Made from 100% recycled plastic, our equipment is weatherproof, durable, and maintenance-free. Once installed, you can “set it and forget it,” so your staff can focus on other areas of guest service while the equipment remains ready for use in all seasons.

As a dog owner, I know that I’d be thrilled to find a safe, well-equipped area for my dog to run and play off-lead in a holiday setting. This simple addition could be a game-changer, setting your holiday park apart by meeting the needs of the many guests who are eager to bring their pets along for the adventure.

By adopting the “Pet Positive” philosophy, holiday parks can create spaces that cater not only to people but also to their four-legged companions. Investing in dog agility equipment offers a distinctive, meaningful way to connect with pet-owning guests—and it’s one that they, and their pets, will remember.

An Exeter-based specialist plastic recycling company DCW Polymers has teamed up with South West Water to deliver a pioneering recycling partnership to reprocess over 320 tonnes of tiny waste bio-beads used in waste water treatment otherwise destined for landfill, into new water filtration media.

With the first innovation of its kind, DCW Polymers has piloted a new circular process for the water company, which will ensure its bio-bead products, which would otherwise have been discarded, are now instead being used in a circular way to create new, valuable and useful water treatment filtration media.

South West Water has a small number of BAFF (biological aerated flooded filter) plants installed across its estate. The BAFF plant is a secondary or tertiary treatment stage for wastewater effluent that utilises plastic ‘bio-beads’ as a media for bacteria to colonise. Air bubbles are blown upwards through the bio-bead filter media, and this provides a steady stream of oxygen for the biomass to support the oxidation process, which reduces the levels of organic matter and unwanted elements in the effluent such as ammonia.

In June 2021, DCW Polymers collected the first batch, just over 80 tonnes of used bio-beads, from South West Water. The used bio-beads were reprocessed back in to newer, larger filter media product and delivered back to South West Water for re-purposing in their BAFF plants.

After a successful trial at one of the water company’s waste water treatment works, to ensure that the performance of the BAFF plant was maintained, a second, larger batch of approximately 240 tonnes of obsolete bio-beads was collected by DCW Polymers in August 2023 and reprocessed in the same way.

Simon continues, “We are delighted that there are some significant benefits being achieved by this innovative new solution, beyond the obvious diversion of the product to landfill.”

Gavin Lincoln from South West Water commented, “This is a long-term solution for us and provides a sustainable and secure on-going supply for our replacement filter media. We really appreciate the DCW Polymers team’s  expert knowledge and their perseverance in finding a circular solution for us that really works.”

For more information about DCW Polymers plastic recycling services, call 01392 535 353 or email [email protected]