Ellenborough Park is taking a proactive and passionate approach to environmental protection, implementing a series of significant changes aimed at becoming a more sustainable business. The historic hotel continually seeks innovative ways to enhance its green credentials, demonstrating a deep commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.

Empowering guests

One of the key initiatives involves empowering guests to participate in sustainability efforts. Ellenborough Park offers guests the option to re-use towels and bed linen, minimising water and energy consumption. Furthermore, the hotel has invested in an in-house bottling system for still and sparkling water, eliminating single-use plastic bottles by providing water in reusable glass bottles. To reduce paper waste, all room directories, brochures, and room service menus are now accessible digitally via bedroom TVs and QR codes, with promotional materials also available exclusively online.

Investing in sustainable operations and practices

A considerable investment has been made in upgrading the hotel’s lighting infrastructure, with all light bulbs now replaced with energy-efficient LED lighting. Public areas, corridors, and staircases also feature PIR sensor lighting, further reducing electricity usage. The hotel prioritises electronic correspondence with colleagues, guests, and suppliers, minimising paper consumption. Recognising the shift towards electric vehicles, Ellenborough Park has installed six EV charging ports in its guest car park, providing convenient charging options for electric vehicle owners.

In its guest rooms, plastic waste is significantly reduced through the use of pump bottles for shampoo and body wash. The kitchens employ food waste bins to manage organic waste effectively, and comprehensive glass and cardboard recycling programs are in place throughout the property.

Nurturing nature and empowering staff

Ellenborough Park’s commitment extends beyond its immediate operations to its expansive surroundings. The hotel’s 90 acres of land are meticulously maintained to support and encourage local wildlife, fostering biodiversity. This dedication to local ecosystems is further highlighted by the sale of honey from a local beekeeper, directly supporting the local bee population. To minimise food waste, items past their best are thoughtfully offered to staff members to take home and utilise.

The hotel actively encourages staff to adopt energy-saving habits, with housekeeping ensuring lights and TVs are not left on in rooms, and office PCs and lights are switched off at the end of each day. A strong emphasis on sustainability is maintained through monthly communication from the Finance Director regarding energy usage and continuous encouragement for greener practices. An Energy Committee meets monthly, featuring an energy champion and a monthly checklist to track progress and identify new opportunities for improvement.

The hotel also prioritises sustainable food sourcing across all its dining offerings. The recently designed and constructed Spa Garden Retreat exemplifies Ellenborough Park’s nature-rich approach, incorporating materials such as composite recycled plastic and those manufactured using solar energy, thanks to a collaboration with EnviroBuild, which has saved over 6,000 trees from waste. The hotel’s Kitchen Garden serves as a vibrant oasis of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, not only promoting local produce but also enhancing the biodiversity of the grounds and providing fresh ingredients for the hotel’s menus.

ECOsmart accreditation: A testament to commitment

Ellenborough Park is particularly proud of its ECOsmart journey with Greengage, an independent organisation that supports businesses in their sustainability endeavors. Greengage’s accreditation process involves a thorough review and implementation of eco-friendly initiatives, demonstrating a robust commitment to environmental sustainability. By achieving ECOsmart accreditation, Ellenborough Park provides an industry-recognised standard, offering guests the reassurance of a property that has been carefully and objectively assessed for its sustainable service approach. This achievement solidifies Ellenborough Park’s position as a leader in environmentally conscious luxury hospitality.

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