Responsible Business - Let's take responsibility

Taking responsibility for the environment and local community has been an important part of the Rezidor Hotel Group's broader commitment 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, cultural heritage, employee and children's rights, health and safety, as well as environmental improvements. To read more about the RB programme, please go to responsiblebusiness.rezidor.com.

The hotels are engaged with both local charity groups and the Rezidor Hotel Group corporate international charity organisation, 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. Visit http://www.childhood.org/ for further information.

Below are some of the RB activities and achievements of this hotel:

Environmental
The hotel is the proud winner of the Failte Ireland 2009 Green Hospitality Award Silver level and the 2008 Green Hospitality Award Bronze level. "Greening Irish Hospitality" is the hotel's focus and aim and the Green Hospitality Award (GHA) is now recognised as one of the most successful programmes in Europe. This is a voluntary programme that demonstrates leadership in environmental management within the hospitality sector. Each successful member receives an award based on a set of strict criteria and can use the GHA Logo. (The Green Hospitality Award is a Type 1 Eco-Label as defined by the ISO - International Organisation for Standardisation).

Waste

• Prevention of waste through operational and service changes through staff training
• Reducing waste going to landfill by separation of waste
• Reducing packaging waste being delivered to hotel by asking our suppliers to use reusable containers as much as possible
• Excellent glass, cardboard, and paper recycling
• Excellent recycling of hazardous and WEEE waste by providing guests with collection point in our main hotel reception
• Encourage guests to get involved in offsetting carbon emissions through Club Carlson

Water

• Reducing water consumption through taps and shower flow restrictors
• Reducing water consumption through toilets and urinals be installing low flush option
• Identifying and repairing leaks as soon as possible

Energy

• Reducing energy consumption through staff training
• Reducing energy costs by using low energy bulbs where possible
• Controlling car park and outside lighting by timers

Social, economic and community involvement
The hotel held a charity golf classic in aid of the North West hospice which provides essential care for patients with terminal illness, support for their families and educational resources in all aspects of palliative care. The staff of the hotel chose the hospice as it relies so heavily on public funding to maintain its service.

At various fundraising events, the hotel has auctioned the services of the head chef Joe Shannon to cook dinner for ten at the home of the highest bidder; food is also supplied by the hotel. At various events this year, the hotel has raised €6,000 for charitable causes.

The hotel's annual Swim Marathon and non-uniform day in association with 'Back to the shop floor' and daffodil day held in March 2008 and 2009 in aid of the Irish Cancer Society raised €2,000 in 2008 and €1,000 in 2009

Joe Shannon, Executive Chef, held a "READY STEADY COOK" evening in the hotel November 2007 to raise funds for a local GAA team which raised €12,000.

A second "READY STEADY COOK" evening was held in February 2008 in aid of local Glencar Manor Rangers under 16 soccer team who competed in an international clubs competition in Blackpool that March. They raised over €15,000.

Complimentary room hire, free corkage and reduced menu price were donated for Blaithnaids Trust Ball in March 2008, a local-based charity for children with Leukemia. Joe Shannon, Executive Chef, was auctioned for €1,100 to cook a meal for ten people at their home.

• Annual GOAL ball held in the hotel given free room hire and sparkling wine reception.
• Joe Shannon, Executive Chef, has a weekly slot on the local radio Ocean FM promoting the hotel, different food groups, and recipes each week.
• Leisure Club Christmas party raffle raised over €1,000 for Sligo local men's homeless centre 2008.
• Donation made to the Cystic Fibrosis Appeal for ball held on the 15^th Feb 2008, which raised over €84,000 for Cystic Fibrosis research.
• Oliver Mc Geehan leisure club staff member ran both the London and New York marathons and raised over €5,000 for the Irish guide dogs in 2007.
• The hotel was the main sponsor for the “West of Ireland Open Amateur Golf Competition” held in Sligo in March 2007, 2008 and 2009.
• The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa played host to eighteen visiting children from Chernobyl on the 10^th July 2008, ensuring that they had a fun-filled day that would leave them with lasting happy memories of their visit to Sligo. The children were joined by their host families, interpreters and some children of the staff of the hotel.
• On the 13^th April 2009 Healthstyles Leisure club sponsored membership to the first three local male and female runners in the “Carney Lissadell 10K.” All funds raised from the race go to the Special Olympics Ireland.
• Sligo Carers association annual mini marathon held on 4^th May 2009 started at the hotel. Over 250 walkers and runners took part in a 10k challenge around the local Rossespoint area. The hotel provided light refreshments and rooms for registration.

How can you help?

• Offset the carbon emissions associated with your stay through our gold point plus loyalty card
• Participate in our towel reuse programme 'Water water everywhere'
• Conserve water by not running the tap while brushing your teeth
• Save energy by switching off appliances when they are not in use
• Close windows if you have air conditioning in operation in your room
• Bring your used batteries to Reception where we will dispose if them correctly
• Participate in our waste recycling programme by sorting your waste accordingly in the bins provided
• Use public transport where possible when visiting Sligo