Sustainability is Good for Business

GROUNDSKEEPING DEPARTMENT

Introduction

– Our customers are looking for accommodation that is working to improve its sustainability and reduce negative environmental impact – The hotel is making efforts to reduce its water and energy consumption and to minimise the production of waste – All departments are able to contribute to this effort

GROUNDS – Energy Reduction

DECORATIVE LIGHTING – external lighting should use energy efficient lamps – Install automatic timers to limit the hours that decorative lighting is on to when it is likely to be viewed by guests i.e. turn off by 1am – Install daylight sensors to ensure the lights can only be on when it is dark and not left on accidentally

Grounds – Water Reduction

– Use indigenous plants appropriate for the local climate – Water gardens at night or early morning to avoid evaporation – Use a controlled irrigation system rather than hoses – Capture rainwater from roofs and gutters to be used on the gardens – Consider using grey water (from sinks, baths and showers) for irrigation

Grounds – Waste Minimisation

– Garden waste can be composted on site and the resulting compost used on the gardens – This process can be extended to include kitchen waste – Avoid the use of pesticides wherever possible – Oils from equipment should be collected by a specialist contractor

Case Study - Morocco

– Hotel Tikida Garden, Marrakesh – Action – The hotel has 5 hectares of land so the Gardening Staff set up a composting system – Impacts – Cancelled weekly collection of garden waste by truck – saving €200 a week – Produce their own fertiliser and don’t need chemicals anymore - saving €1000 each year and significantly reducing their environmental impact – The scheme is a great way to communicate the hotel’s environmental work with guests and partners

Action Planning

– Discuss what options there are for reducing energy, water and waste in your operations – create a list of potential actions – who needs to be involved to ensure that these actions can take place?

– how quickly do you anticipate these actions being put into place?

– will any further training be required?

MAKING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE…