Responsible Business - Let's take responsibility

Galway, Ireland hotel's Responsible Business activities
Taking responsibility for the environment and local community has been an important part of 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 go to www.responsiblebusiness.rezidor.com.

Rezidor hotels are engaged with both local charity groups and the corporate international charity organisation recognised by the Rezidor Hotel Group, the World Childhood Foundation. The mission of Childhood 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.

This Galway, Ireland hotel's Responsible Business practices include:

• Action week was held in the hotel's Leisure Centre, including a water polo night and morning tea in aid of Enable Ireland.
• An opportunity was provided for guests to contribute (voluntarily) a minimum of one EUR each during the month of September for the international aid agency GOAL. Radisson Blu corporate clients were also given an opportunity to buy raffle tickets in aid of GOAL, and it is hoped to raise significant funds for work overseas.
• Annual Lough Atalia cleanup to benefit the environment was carried out by members of staff. This annual event is in the public interest and takes a day of the staff's voluntary time to rid the area of debris and buildup of rubbish.
• For the promotion of "Diversity in the Workplace", a large mural was created by the restaurant staff, creating interest and providing information on the 22 nationalities represented among the staff in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway.
• Full hot meals are cooked for the residents of the COPE homeless shelter.
• Staff raffle with significant prizes was held. The money raised was donated to Shelterbox through the Galway Rotary Club.
• The hotel is involved in Ireland's largest coffee morning welcoming the local business community. Residents and leisure guests participate in aid of the local Galway Hospice Foundation.

Ongoing Responsible Business activities:

• Community involvement sponsorship of local football, GAA and Rugby
• Continuously support local charities by way of voucher donations and support/sponsorship when charity functions are held at hotel
• Bring 'n Bin campaign whereby different charities selected by the RB team receive donations from the staff's collection of goods, clothing and various categories of items on a monthly basis

Environmental improvements

• Energy saving
• Safe disposing of light bulbs, batteries, used cooking oil and old/used equipment
• Separating all waste for recycling
• Water saving

Employee health

• Diversity in the workplace
• Good work practices
• Health and safety in the work place

Guest involvement

• Battery disposal box at reception
• Healthy choices and organic options in on-site restaurants
• Save the Children box at reception
• Save water - guests have option to reuse their towels when staying more than one night