Aston Hall Hotel is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its operations and promoting sustainable practices throughout the Hotel.
We recognise our responsibility to use energy and water responsibly, reduce waste, minimise single-use plastics and encourage environmentally responsible behaviour amongst our employees, guests and suppliers.
This policy outlines the steps Aston Hall Hotel takes to reduce its environmental impact and encourages all employees to play an active role in supporting our sustainability objectives.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:
· Reduce unnecessary energy and water consumption.
· Reduce waste and the use of single-use plastics.
· Encourage responsible environmental practices amongst employees.
· Improve the efficiency of Hotel operations.
· Encourage guests and suppliers to support our environmental objectives.
· Ensure environmental considerations are incorporated into the day-to-day operation of the Hotel.
Scope
This policy applies to:
· All employees of Aston Hall Hotel.
· Agency workers.
· Casual and temporary staff.
· Contractors working within the Hotel.
· Managers and supervisors.
· Suppliers and other individuals working on behalf of Aston Hall Hotel where appropriate.
Energy Efficiency
Aston Hall Hotel is committed to reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
The Hotel has implemented a number of measures, including:
· The use of LED bulbs throughout the Hotel wherever practical. LED lighting is more energy efficient and has a longer lifespan than traditional lighting.
· Regular walk rounds by management and employees to identify areas where lights, heating or air conditioning have been left on unnecessarily.
· Ensuring lights are switched off in areas that are not in use.
· Ensuring heating and air conditioning are turned off or adjusted appropriately in unoccupied areas.
· Encouraging employees to avoid unnecessary use of electrical equipment and to switch equipment off when it is no longer required.
· Monitoring energy usage and identifying opportunities for further reductions.
Employees are expected to take reasonable steps to avoid unnecessary energy consumption during their working day.
Water Conservation
Water is an important resource and Aston Hall Hotel is committed to reducing unnecessary water consumption.
Employees are expected to:
· Avoid leaving taps running unnecessarily.
· Report leaking taps, toilets, showers or other water-related issues promptly to a manager or the appropriate maintenance team.
· Use only the amount of water reasonably required to complete their duties.
· Avoid unnecessary flushing or running of water.
· Follow any Hotel procedures designed to reduce water consumption.
Employees will be informed about responsible water usage and encouraged to consider how their everyday actions can help reduce water waste.
Regular checks and walk rounds will also be undertaken to identify potential leaks, wastage or opportunities to improve water efficiency.
Reduction of Single-Use Plastics
Aston Hall Hotel is committed to reducing its reliance on single-use plastics wherever reasonably practicable.
As part of this commitment:
· 29 of the Hotel’s 50 bedrooms have been upgraded to refillable soap and shampoo dispensers, reducing the need for individual single-use toiletry bottles.
· Further opportunities to replace single-use plastic items with reusable or refillable alternatives will be considered where practical.
· Employees are encouraged to avoid unnecessary use of disposable plastic products.
· Procurement decisions will consider opportunities to reduce packaging and single-use plastics.
The Hotel will continue to assess further areas where single-use plastics can be reduced without compromising hygiene, guest experience or operational requirements.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Aston Hall Hotel is committed to reducing the amount of waste generated through its operations.
Employees should:
· Avoid unnecessary waste of food, paper, packaging and other materials.
· Use recycling facilities correctly where provided.
· Consider whether items can be reused before being disposed of.
· Avoid printing unnecessarily and use digital alternatives where appropriate.
· Report any recurring areas of unnecessary waste to management.
The Hotel will continue to review its waste management practices and identify opportunities to increase recycling and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Purchasing and Suppliers
Where reasonably practicable, the Hotel will consider environmental factors when purchasing goods and services.
This may include:
· Selecting products with reduced or recyclable packaging.
· Considering reusable or refillable alternatives to single-use products.
· Purchasing energy-efficient equipment where appropriate.
· Working with suppliers who demonstrate responsible environmental practices.
· Considering product lifespan and sustainability alongside cost, quality and operational requirements.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees are responsible for supporting the Hotel’s environmental objectives.
Employees are expected to:
· Switch off lights, heating, air conditioning and equipment when not required.
· Use water responsibly and avoid unnecessary wastage.
· Reduce unnecessary use of paper and other materials.
· Follow the Hotel’s recycling and waste procedures.
· Report leaks, faulty equipment or other environmental concerns.
· Consider opportunities to reduce waste and energy consumption during their normal duties.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for reinforcing these expectations and ensuring that environmental considerations form part of normal departmental operations.
Guest Engagement
Where appropriate, guests will be encouraged to support the Hotel’s environmental objectives.
This may include providing information about:
· Responsible use of water.
· Reuse of towels and linen where applicable.
· Recycling facilities.
· The Hotel’s efforts to reduce single-use plastics.
· Other sustainability initiatives introduced by the Hotel.
Guest engagement will be undertaken in a positive and informative manner without compromising the quality of the guest experience.
Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
Aston Hall Hotel will regularly review its environmental practices to identify opportunities for improvement.
This will include:
· Regular management walk rounds.
· Monitoring energy and water usage where data is available.
· Reviewing waste and recycling practices.
· Assessing opportunities to reduce single-use plastics.
· Reviewing purchasing practices.
· Considering new energy-efficient and environmentally responsible technologies.
The Hotel recognises that sustainability is an ongoing process and will seek to make further improvements where these are practical, financially viable and appropriate to the operation of the Hotel.
Monitoring and Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner where significant changes are made to the Hotel’s operations, environmental objectives or relevant legislation.
Feedback and suggestions from employees are welcomed and should be raised with a manager or the General Manager.
