With the mercury rising water and power scarcity has hit the country hard and how. As the need to be eco-sensitive gains momentum, we look at a few initiatives taken by hotels, which could serve as easy examples.
The Oberoi, Mumbai has efficient systems in place for the management of water resources, reveals executive VP Devendra Bharma, “Apart from the usual, we also use water from STP for cooling towers. Sensors and flow restrictors notwithstanding, area-wise metering of water consumption is undertaken to determine areas of high usage and initiate further conservation methods.” Patu Keswani, CMD, Lemon Tree Hotels, shares that they use approximately 30 per cent of the recycled water from STP in the garden and flush systems. “We also have rainwater harvesting and auto flush for public urinals in place,” he adds. “Our hotels are designed and operated with zero waste-water discharge,” reveals Sunil Relia, VP, engineering, The Leela Palaces, “To reduce site disturbance, green area provided is 25 per cent more than the local norms and species selected are of native/adaptive nature to reduce water consumption. We have efficient rainwater harvesting (RWH) system to recharge site aquifer through recharge pits to reduce storm water run-off volumes post development and these pits are cleaned and maintained periodically,” he elaborates.
A number of tools are used to control energy consumption and enhance energy efficiency — integrated room automation system, VRV technology for air conditioning, HRV with thermal enthalpy wheels, LED lighting in public areas, etc. “We have the world’s most energy efficient and lowest emissions Trane CenTraVac chillers in air-conditioning systems. Their energy consumption is as low as 0.57 KW per ton. The hotel also uses halon-free fire extinguishers and chimney stack heights are maintained according to Pollution Control norms,” explains Bharma. At Lemon Tree hotels, many steps are underway to bring down power consumption or use renewable energy (wind power is being implemented in a phased manner at the Chennai property followed by Aurangabad and Pune). “Reducing power consumption is a key priority. Our hotels are designed so that entire floors can be shut down if demand drops (unlike others, our AC and water lines are horizontal). We also use other techniques and alternate sources to save energy. For example, Key Tag Energy Saver System, Solar Panel for hot water, Wind Power and many more,” says Keswani. In light of its commitment towards prevention of pollution and continual improvement in environmental performance by controlling the impact of activities, products and services on the environment, all Leela hotels adhere to save 10 per cent on energy cost year on year reveals Relia, “We recognised the importance of alternate power source and established wind mills in Karnataka. Incidentally, we are working on introducing solar power generation at our Bangalore hotel,” he adds. The Oberoi practices benchmarking for energy consumption in day-to-day operations, “Sub-meters monitor, target and control power consumption for strategic areas. Energy benchmarks for daily operation volumes of various departments have been set, and performance is monitored on a daily basis. The benchmarks are reviewed quarterly for further scope of improvement. Energy audit has been conducted and methods of improving energy efficiency are being implemented,” Bharma elaborates.
The Oberoi, Mumbai has undertaken waste management programmes that save material, resources, energy and money. “Different kinds of waste are separated and disposed of suitably,” says Bharma, “All printed stationery, after being screened and processed, is reused as note pads, for photocopying, facsimile printouts and posters for internal use.”
The vegetation waste is shredded, and used for making compost at The Leela, polythene bags used for plant propagation are re-used after the plants are transplanted, used engine oil lubricates wheels of hand carts, and trolleys and banquet set-up garbage is handed over to an agency that builds huts and sheds for poor people Relia explains.
Engaging guests in conservation efforts can work quite well. Standard operating procedure of changing room linen, individual control over lighting systems and thermal comfort, electronic dimmers with mood lighting in all guest rooms, No Smoking zones, etc. are some steps in this direction. Following certain norms and strictures right from construction stages can also help in conservation in the long run, says Bharma. Things like maintained Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) during construction and before occupancy as per Sheet Metal Air Conditioning National Association (SMACNA) guidelines, ventilation systems as per ASHRAE 62.1 – 2004 Std and monitored through CO2 sensors connected to BMS, using low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints and composite wood, using environmentally-safe and bio-degradable products for housekeeping and kitchen would be some.
“We have a ‘Green Team’ comprising of HODs that conceptualises and implements innovative ideas to conserve energy and preserve the environment. We have planted trees and tree guards around the hotel and their maintenance and upkeep is also our responsibility,” says Bharma. A comprehensive energy audit was carried out in late 2008 by a professional company for the property and their recommendations to reduce energy consumption were duly implemented.
Employees are deeply involved in the eco-friendly cause at Accor, which is a major supporter through its sustainable development programme. Planet 21 represents Accor’s commitment to being a better corporate citizen and ensuring sustainable development at its more than 3,500 hotels worldwide. With this programme, Accor places sustainability at the heart of its business strategy and makes 21 ambitious commitments to environmental and social sustainability with concrete targets for 2015. These targets include 15 per cent reduction in water consumption, 10 per cent reduction in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and a total ban on endangered seafood such as shark’s fin from hotel menus by 2015. To qualify as a Planet 21 hotel, properties must meet certain criteria, such as installing low-flow water regulators and energy efficient light bulbs, implementing recycling programmes and offering healthy meals. After just one year, 60 per cent of Accor hotels meet these minimum criteria, up from 24 per cent last year.
Accor has a colour-coded system to help monitor hotel performance. The system, based on four performance levels (bronze, silver, gold and platinum), guides and encourages Accor hoteliers as they implement more sustainability measures. “With Planet 21, Accor Group has decided to take sustainable development to new heights. We aim to reinvent the hotel industry on a sustainable basis by mobilising our employees, guests and partners to actively contribute to the cause. Accor India understands the pressing needs of its environment. Driving the Planet 21 initiative, all Accor properties in India are taking part in sustainable development activities. The programme is already witnessing Accor’s employees and guests mutually contributing back to the environment successfully. Accor is proud of the commitment of its employees who, through their actions have made this project a reality with a shared goal of preserving the planet for future generations,” says Jean-Michel Casse, senior vice-president, Accor India.
Lemon Tree, on the other hand, drives sustainability through three pillars — People, Planet and Profit. “We want to build an organisation of highly engaged, productive and diverse professionals who find opportunities to give back to society. We recruit hearing and speech impaired people who will make 10 per cent of the workforce by end 2013,” explains Keswani.
They will reuse, recycle and replenish the resources used by building hotels to LEEDs Silver and Gold standards, and through environment-friendly practices in general. By doing this, Lemon Tree will be the most cost-effective hotel company in India, he claims and promises that it will retain the competitive advantage of best-in-class business model — lowest costs, superlative service delivery and revenue maximisation.”
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is committed towards prevention of pollution and continual improvement in environmental performance. This is done by controlling impact of activities, products and services on the environment by providing training and education to stakeholders including employees, suppliers, vendors, customers and society. “We are committed to reduce landfill and increase the recycling ethos of social, environmental and economical policies; to achieve a three per cent decrease in energy consumption year on year. Suppliers with the best eco-friendly products are chosen for various consumables, tools and machinery,” says Relia. (The case study underlines some innitiatives).
With increasing concerns of environmental damage, the hotel industry has to play an important role in changing the perception of wastefulness. Steps taken in the direction of environmental maintenance will help build trust in the brand and involving guests will cement the relationship with them further.
