carbonneutraltourism.co.uk

Rolling up the ‘Green Slieves’ to protect the environment.

November 2007/…The Slieve Donard Resort and Spa has launched a pioneering new project in partnership with the Mourne Heritage Trust to help protect the environment through cutting back on energy consumption within the hotel.

With 175 bedrooms and 16 function rooms as well as restaurants, bars and kitchens, energy usage within the hotel is considerable, so this project presented a great opportunity for conservation while also cutting back on utility bills like electricity and gas.

Deputy General Manager at the Slieve Donard, Ciaran Murtagh, who has led the initiative, commented: “As a business operating in an era when climate change and protecting the environment are very high on the agenda, it’s more important than ever before that we are environmentally aware.  We developed the initiative in consultation with the Mourne Energy Trust – who helped us make the changes necessary throughout the hotel – buy-in was necessary from all staff within the hotel – from the kitchen staff, to house keeping and gardeners!”

A composter was purchased which the staff named ‘Big Hannah’! The composter breaks down all leftover food and when mixed with grass, makes a very fertile compost! Expect the roses in the grounds of the Slieve Donard to bloom even more in the coming months!  A bailer compacts cardboard, paper and plastic, while a glass crusher recycles bottles, jars and other glass items.

Investment in this energy saving equipment has minimised the amount of waste going to landfill sites as well as helping the environment through recycling.   As a bonus, the hotel makes considerable savings on things like skip hire – which were previously emptied at a cost of £1000 per week.  It is anticipated that the cost of the composter, compactor, glass crusher and bailer (which combined represent a cost of £70,000) will pay for themselves in three years.

The Hotel also receives advice on boiler emissions, electricity and air conditioning, so new units are made as energy efficient as possible.

Guests have not been left out of the project and their assistance was enlisted through awareness leaflets at reception and in every bedroom.  Some of the energy saving tips that were recommended to guests include:

• Ensure radiators are turned off when windows are open

• Use key cards to activate power in the rooms, when needed

• Take a shower instead of a bath

• Leave towels which need laundered in the bath, otherwise re-use

• Beds to be changed every two days when guests stay longer than one night

The Slieve Donard Resort and Spa has just been awarded a ‘Green Accreditation’ from the Trust - testament to our awareness and contribution to helping the environment through conscientious management of our waste.

Following the success of the Slieve Donard, Hastings Hotels hopes to roll out the initiative across the other five hotels Group.

A million reasons for communities to go green. NESTA prize fund launched for new ideas to tackle climate change.

A million pounds is up for grabs from the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) for groups of people who can come up with new ways to reduce their CO2 emissions.
Through its ‘Big Green Challenge’, NESTA is looking for ideas that are either brand new or which represent a better way of applying existing solutions, and that come from people working together in their communities.  Examples of the kind of steps some communities are already taking range from setting up a wind farm to organising car pooling for local commuters.

Entering groups could be led by a not-for-profit organisation like a charity; represent an existing group like a PTA, residents’ association, fan club or branch of the Scouts; or be a new group formed by people with a common interest hoping to take part.

The competition will run over two years, at the end of which the group which has come closest to a 60% carbon reduction, and demonstrated their imaginative approach really works, will win the lion’s share of the £1m.

Groups have from now until 29 February to enter their applications for the Challenge.  From these applications, NESTA will select the 100 most promising ideas, all of whom will be asked to submit more detailed plans about their approach.  A panel of expert judges will then select ten finalists.  Once selected, the finalists will have a year to show they can turn their big ideas into action, with the winner announced in late 2009.

Those interested in applying or finding out more about the Big Green Challenge should visit www.biggreenchallenge.org.uk.