BERLIN--(Marketwired - Aug 26, 2013) - The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin has reinforced its reputation for sustainability by becoming the first five-star hotel in Europe to be certified by the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).
From water conservation and energy saving to staff action teams and even beehives, it has taken more than a year to ensure the luxury hotel is in line with the demanding standards of EMAS.
"The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin is now the first five-star hotel in Europe to combine exclusive luxury with sustainability," said General Manager Robert Petrović. "And it is a tribute to the hard work of everyone at the hotel that sustainability is at the heart of everything we do."
EMAS is a European Community management tool designed to improve the environmental performance of organisations and companies using third-party independent auditors and a publicly transparent reporting process.
A Ritz-Carlton Environmental Action Conservation Team (REACT) has been set up at the hotel with the aim of ensuring standards are maintained and new sustainable opportunities are constantly identified. An environmental officer has also been appointed to spearhead fresh management processes.
But this is just the start. The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin is now bound to a process of continuous environmental improvement under strict audit conditions and EMAS will carry out annual updates. Below are examples of fresh initiatives at the prestigious Berlin city centre hotel.
Every little helps
The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin reduced its light energy consumption using 'Green Energy'. The housekeeping department has introduced an ecological process and is using environment-friendly cleaning products. Water consumption in the luxury hotel has been reduced by 50 per cent through the installation of water aerators and smaller cisterns in rooms and public spaces. Even on the hotel terrace a new irrigation system for plants has reduced water waste.
From waste paper to schoolbooks
The Sales Office of The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin is now working in a completely paperless environment and new energy-efficient hand dryers have been installed in all staff areas to avoid paper towel waste.
The five-star hotel is working together with Recycling Berlin to transfer paper waste that can be transformed into school notebooks. Approximately 25 tons of material is collected every three months to create more than 1,300 books that are distributed to welfare organisations in Germany and abroad.
A sweet success story
Three beehives were installed on the roof of The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin in 2011 and up to 150,000 bees are expected to produce around 70 to 120 kg of honey every year. A part of the honey will be enjoyed by guests and be served up as part of the hotel's special bio breakfast.