Hilton achieves energy savings
Hilton Hotels says it made energy savings of over 10 per cent across its European properties in 2007. The savings are part of the group’s “We Care!” initiative, which has also seen Hilton reduce water consumption by 5 per cent, and CO2 emissions by 11 per cent since 2006.
The hotel chain has recognised individual hotels within its portfolio for exceptional energy performances last year, with the Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol Airport taking top spot in the Benelux region, and the Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle coming out top in France and the eastern Mediterranean area.
Among the individual hotels with green initiatives are: the Hilton Istanbul, which collects waste soap from guest rooms to grate and reuse for washing staff uniforms; the Hilton Milan, which recycles 1,000 metal coat hangers per month; and the Hilton Strasbourg, which has installed new bathroom taps with motion-detection systems.
Hilton aims to reduce energy consumption by 15 per cent by 2009, compared with 2006 levels.
For more information visit hiltonwecare.com.
Green meetings and parking at the Cavendish
London’s Cavendish Hotel is encouraging meeting delegates to go green by introducing a raft of environmental initiatives, including in-room recycling bins and wind-up mobile phone chargers.
The hotel is also providing delegates with water-powered calculators, eco-friendly staplers (no staples required), pens made from recycled car parts and coffee endorsed by the Rainforest Alliance. Delegate lunches will be made from locally sourced, free-range and organic produce where possible.
Meanwhile, the Cavendish is offering a 50 per cent discount on valet parking for guests using environmentally friendly cars. Qualifying vehicles include hybrid, alternative fuel, LPG converted and electric cars, with a valet parking fee of £20 per night, instead of the normal £40. The hotel also provides charging facilities for electric cars and a secure lock-up for guests arriving by bike.
Other environmental projects at the hotel include replacing existing lifts with energy-efficient ones, and the use of a low water-volume dishwasher.
For more information visit thecavendish-london.co.uk.
Conrad Cairo awarded green certificate
The Conrad Cairo has been awarded Green Globe certified gold status, the highest level in the environmental programme.
The hotel achieved the accolade by being successfully certified by Green Globe seven years running. The certification process involves an on-site audit by an independent third-party Green Globe accredited auditor, who looks at environmental indicators such as energy and water consumption, waste production and community commitment.
Environmental initiatives at the Conrad Cairo include appointing members of staff to monitor waste, energy and water consumption, training staff in environmental awareness, installing dimmer switches and power-saving lights, replacing the electric swimming-pool heating system with a steam system, and introducing recycling measures.
For more information visit conradhotels.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
