Hotels and resorts go green

Stamford Hotels and Resorts Go Green strategy has been so successful that new policies are being implemented at each of their nine properties throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Each of the properties is undertaking further initiatives to help further slash their environmental impact, while improving facilities for guests.

“Reducing our environmental impact is very important to us, but we wanted to ensure it didn’t sacrifice guest comfort, in fact we’ve found that our new initiatives actually improved a lot of our facilities,” said Group Director of Sales and Marketing for Stamford Hotels and Resorts – Annette MacAndrew.

Stamford Hotels and Resorts encourage guests to help the environment, with all guests who reuse their towels or choose not to have their room serviced receiving a voucher for a 20 per cent discount on food when they eat at the hotel restaurant.

Stamford Hotels and Resorts go green program has been so successful that new policies are being implemented to reduce their energy and water usage to help combat global warming.

Victoria

Stamford Plaza Melbourne has seen a 12 per cent reduction in energy usage per guest room over the last year.

This was achieved by changing over all incandescent light globes to compact fluorescent which reduced energy usage while increasing lighting in the guest rooms.

The housekeeping team has also reduced the volume of water needed to clean the spas in guest rooms.

Notably, Stamford Plaza Melbourne will soon be benchmarked against similar hotels around the world once it is registered as part of Green Globe.

South Australia

Stamford Plaza Adelaide and Stamford Grand Adelaide have reduced their energy consumption noticeably in the last year. A number of new procedures were undertaken to achieve this, including changing all incandescent light globes to compact fluorescent globes in all guest rooms and common areas.

New projects underway at Stamford Plaza Adelaide and Stamford Grand Adelaide include installing a key-tag system, which controls the air-conditioning in the guest rooms.  Water flow restrictors will be installed in the guest rooms, which reduce water consumption while maintaining the water pressure.

Queensland

Stamford Plaza Brisbane has implemented a number of water saving initiatives. These include installing a water tank which collects water from the storm water drains and condensation from the air-conditioning units for use on the gardens. Installing water restrictors in all guest room showers and hand basins have reduced the water flow rate whilst still maintaining the same water pressure.

A project is currently underway to update all toilets with dual flush water efficient cisterns, which will further reduce water consumption.

NSW

The Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability awarded Stamford Grand North Ryde the “Energy and Water Green Globe Award”, recognising the property’s ongoing commitment to the environment over the past four years.

Initiatives include the use of energy saving globes throughout the hotel; timers installed on the external lighting; the installation of motion sensitive lighting in low traffic areas; hand watering the gardens and the use of recycling containers in all departments.

Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport has implemented several new initiatives to reduce its water and energy usage.

To conserve water, the kitchen has installed trigger gun flow regulators, and the laundry now reuses the rinse water. Water efficient shower heads have also been installed in the guest rooms.

Sir Stamford at Circular Quay has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its energy consumption.

Compact fluorescent light globes are used in all areas that are lit 24 hours a day. Automatic light sensors have been installed for the lighting outside the hotel, and motion sensor lighting in low traffic areas. Routine inspections are conducted to ensure all electrical appliances are turned off when a room is not occupied.

Stamford Plaza Double Bay has seen a 30 per cent reduced in its gas consumption since January this year from the repair and maintenance of the hot water boiler system.

The operation of the air conditioning has been adjusted to operate at a higher temperature setting during cooler times of the day. During winter outside air is utilised to cool the building to reduce the load on the air conditioning.

New Zealand

Stamford Plaza Auckland has introduced a number of new energy efficient practices. Installation of a new Air Cooled Chiller Plant has seen a reduction of more than 28 per cent in water usage and 10 per cent in electricity. The installation of a new Building Management System which monitors the ambient conditions to automatically adjust the air conditioning load when necessary has resulted in a further 10 per cent saving.

All incandescent light globes in the hotel have been changed to compact fluorescent to reduce energy consumption. While the installation of automatic taps and toilet flush has further reduced water consumption.

Stamford Hotels and Resorts are committed to the ongoing reduction of energy usage within all of their properties, and will continue to look at innovative ways to minimise their environmental impact.

For more details visit: http://www.stamford.com.au/  

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Report by The Mole