Green hotel in Cork with focus on environment and community
Taking responsibility for the environment and local community has been an important part of the broader commitment of the Rezidor Hotel Group to sustainable development for many years. In 2001, this commitment was fortified and placed within the scope of a programme called Responsible Business (RB). Each hotel has a unique RB Action Plan covering areas such as community outreach, environmental improvement, employee well-being and health and safety. To read more about the RB programme, please visit http://www.responsiblebusiness.rezidor.com/.
The hotels are engaged with both local charity groups and The World Childhood Foundation, the international charity organisation supported by the Rezidor Hotel Group. The mission of The World Childhood Foundation is to defend the rights of the child and to promote better living conditions for vulnerable and exploited children at risk all over the world.
Responsible Business activities and achievements of this green hotel in Cork:
In 2007, the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Cork committed to reducing its impact on the environment by employing a chief engineer with a background in environmental management who implemented an award-winning, easily replicable, no-cost Environmental Management programme. While driven by an appointed environmental manager, this programme derives its success from the commitment and participation of staff at all levels within the organisation.
A monitoring and recording programme was put into place as the foundation of the staff's overall efforts. Reduction targets were set and the Environmental Management programme began in earnest. A waste, water and energy management training schedule was put into place with all staff introduced to the new regime. These programmes were reinforced with environmental awareness campaigns.
This programme has achieved significant results during the past few years, with energy consumption reduced by 28 percent and water consumption by 10 percent. The hotel now recycles almost 75 percent of all waste. Most importantly, CO2 emissions have been reduced by more than 850 tonnes, which has had the effect of completely removing the carbon footprint of the hotel's entire staff for a year.
The hotel also hosts an annual Introduction to Environmental Management class for hotel management students from a local college, thus ensuring continuity in environmental management into the future.
In 2010, the hotel staff began to use social networking media to blog about achievements and to share knowledge and experience gained during the past three years. The blog provides insights into the development of a successful Environmental Management programme with articles on how any organisation can reduce environmental impacts and reduce operating costs at the same time. This blog was recently featured on the Travel Mole, Vision on Sustainable Tourism newsletter, which is distributed to 40,000 subscribers worldwide each week, as well as having been distributed nationally by the Green Hospitality Award newsletter.
The hotel staff has introduced a successful programme and, most importantly, has shown that it does not have to cost money to help protect the environment for future generations. In fact, the hotel can actually save money in the process, allowing it to remain competitive in these challenging times.
Bearing in mind that the hotel has a wider impact on the local community, the staff also has initiated clean-ups in the local area and works with charities both locally and nationally.
Increasing guest awareness
Efforts have been made to increase guest awareness through key wallet inserts, posters displayed in public areas and placement of the Environmental Social Policy in all guest rooms. A towel and linen programme is in place in all guest rooms to reduce energy and water usage.
Increasing employee awareness
All new hotel employees receive introduction to the Responsible Business programme, and all staff receives regular training on Responsible Business activities and policies throughout the hotel. An employee energy awareness campaign includes posters in staff areas and offices to stress the importance of turning off all unnecessary lights and equipment when not in use. The staff has donated second-hand clothes to a local Cork charity. The staff also participates in an annual community clean-up that involves collecting litter, weeding and gardening in a local housing estate and on grounds of the local primary school.
Environmental awards and commendations
The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Cork achieved Gold certification from the Green Hospitality Award scheme in Ireland for its efforts, as well as several other environmental award nominations and commendations from organisations, including the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland, the Irish Hospitality Institute, Chambers Ireland, 2010 Green Awards, Greenme.ie and the 2010 European Hospitality Awards.