How Park Plaza reduces its carbon footprint

The award-winning Park Plaza Riverbank hotel in London has been focusing on innovative but practical ways to address the energy efficiency levels of the business.

Dave Bell, chief engineer, has been particularly focusing on driving the need to reduce the hotel's carbon footprint and achieve savings.

The 'Winner of the 2006 Hospitable Climates Energy Challenge' 394-bedroom hotel has achieved this by using the following: 

• Boiler Management System – boosts gas heating system only when required on standard setting – saving 35.11%.
• Electric Pir Movement Sensors – Lights only come on when required – 18-22% of lighting costs.
• E Cube for all Refrigerated Areas – Minimises the need to constantly boost cold air in fridge by detecting temperature of food – 28.7% saving.
• Adapt T 5 – reduces running costs by up to 50% on fluorescent lighting.
• Energy Efficient Lamps – Saving up to 25% of running costs. 

Bell commented: "Once you get involved in introducing new ways of improving energy efficiency it becomes very rewarding and motivating as with clear reporting and logging procedures, you can demonstrate conservation of natural resources, minimal chemical waste, and improving water and air quality within our properties with the unexpected benefit of significant cost savings.

"Increasingly, staff and guests are becoming more environmentally aware. Our initiatives have been implementing with the aim of continuing to educate our staff and guests whilst giving them the sense that they are doing their bit."

With the positive feedback from guests, staff, suppliers and customers, Bell has formed a TREE committee. This involves a representative from every area of the business to hold quarterly meetings to create a forum for new 'green' ideas and initiatives.

The restaurant area at the hotel is also offering a new Green Menu, using locally sourced foods. The revenue from this is being used to support a tree planting donation scheme that has been set up.