Lake District Hotels Supporting the Environment

By: Jenny Andrew
Submitted: 2009-10-19 17:59:49
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher |

Rating:

 

company’s environmental credentials which enhances a corporate image. This accreditation actually saves the company or organisation money by reducing energy consumption whilst at the same time helping the environment.

There are various levels of implementations that can be put into practice within hotels and accommodation providers from recycling and reusing of materials, to sourcing materials, services and supplies locally. There is then a next step that can be taken for example in the form of creating a renewable energy source for the hotel. One of the hotels in the Lake District that has installed a biomass energy production system which has been enabled by its location amongst a 70 acre managed woodland area.

Some general environmental policies for hotels in the Lake District to follow are listed below:

1.    To develop suitable objectives, targets and management programmes, applying appropriate operational procedures to minimise the significant environmental impacts during normal, abnormal and emergency conditions.
2.    To comply with relevant legislation, regulation and other requirements relating to significant environmental impacts.
3.    To prevent pollution, minimise inputs of utilities and resources and the outputs of emissions to the atmosphere, effluents to waters/sewers and wastes to disposal facilities; endeavouring to re-use, recover or recycle materials where practicable.
4.    To ensure that environmental responsibilities are defined, communicated and understood at all levels within a hotels organisation and provide appropriate training where needed.
5.    To ensure that suppliers and contractors understand the company policy and assist them in developing appropriate systems and a responsible approach with regard to environmental issues.
6.    To communicate, co-operate and respond to the views of interested parties, including customers and the general public, on environmental issues, where this is practicable and likely to result in an overall improved environmental performance.
7.    To strive for continual improvement in overall environmental performance.
Of course, it is not just the responsibility of the hotel to conserve energy and be environmentally aware. Guests of Lake District hotels can contribute greatly to the process of helping reduce a carbon footprint.
What you can do:
1.    Help reduce energy consumption by switching off bedroom lights when the room is empty, closing curtains in winter to keep heat in the room, and turn down the thermostatic control on the radiator to a comfortable level.
2.    Think about water consumption when taking a shower, and don’t wash hands or clean teeth under a running tap – put the plug in instead!
3.    Let the hotel know if you notice any leaking or dripping taps – they lose a lot more than you think!
4.    Help yourself to leaflets of local attractions but don’t take more than you need and you could even return them after use.
5.    Use a hotels recycling facilities – for bottles, paper, cardboard, cans and plastic.
6.    Buy local or Fair Trade produce whenever you can.
7.    Leave the car behind! Use the local transport. Most Lake District hotels have walking and bus routes available at Reception – there are great views whilst travelling by bus from all the routes and lots of visitor attractions within easy reach.
8.    Bikes are available for hire.
9.    Don’t drop litter. Litter can be very harmful to wildlife.
10.    You can make a contribution to the Tourism & Conservation Partnership to help with local conservation projects.

These small actions will help this beautiful part of the UK stay beautiful for future generations to come.

Article source: Expert Articles