The Tower Hotel Group estimate that they have saved €17,500 in just one year by applying the principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle at the Faithlegg House Hotel in Waterford.
Since the introduction of improved waste management practices at two of their Waterford hotels, The Tower Hotel Group has seen significant changes and savings. Cost Reductions, Best Practice, and the visit of EU Environment Ministers in May 2004 were the main motivational factors for Faithlegg House Hotel and the Tower Hotel.
The process was very similar to that set out in the Small Change guide. From the outset, the programme received the all important endorsement and commitment from senior management. Once this was obtained, the current waste disposal company and procedures were examined. A champion was identified and a Green Team was developed, which identified opportunities for improvement with the help of an external audit. All departments received training and the programme was implemented step-by-step, area-by-area with constant monitoring and reviewing.
Communication to both staff and customers has formed an important part of the overall waste management programme. All departments were engaged in training through a training video supplied by the service provider and also hands-on training with the Green Team. As well as this all staff were asked to suggest four initiatives for improving the programme and the issue is always kept on the management agenda. These initiatives followed the three principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Reduce
Signs have been placed in bathrooms asking guests to reduce waste by using their towels more than once -not washing and drying towels daily saves water, electricity, detergent and labour, and it reduces the wear and tear on towels so that you don't have to replace them as frequently. The customer response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Reuse
Empty toner and ink cartridges are donated to local charities who can use them to generate extra income. Food is separated from general waste and plans are afoot to compost food waste and use the material in the Faithlegg House Hotel gardens and golf course.
Recycle
The Faithlegg House Hotel recycles all paper and cardboard, tins and aluminium cans and plastic. Even guests are encouraged to separate their newspapers and magazines for collection.
Faithlegg House Hotel has begun to see the savings since new waste management procedures were put in place. If no change had taken place in July 2003, it is estimated that the waste charge for the year would have been €40,607. However, because of the change in practice this cost was reduced to €26,778. With further changes occurring in 2004, the cost was again reduced to €23,103.
The Tower Hotel Group has received a number of awards and recognition for the efforts involved in environmental and waste management. These include:
| For Faithlegg House Hotel | - - | Green Dragon Environmental Standard, Level 2 2005 Green Fáilte Gold Award 2005 |
| For The Tower Hotel | - - | Green Fáilte Gold Award 2005 Overall Waterford Winner 2005 |
