Internacional (Marketwired, 26 de Agosto de 2013) Since 2011 the Hotel Is the First Five-Star in Europe to Be Certified by EU Eco-Management AuditThe 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 Petrovi?. "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.
Supply chain: sharing responsibility
The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin has urged all its suppliers to deliver goods in eco-friendly disposal boxes. All packing materials are returned to suppliers and disposable bottles are refused.
About EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)
The EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is a management tool for companies and organisation to evaluate, report and improve their environmental performance. The scheme has been available to companies since 1995 but in 2001 EMAS has been open to all economic sectors including public and private services.
About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 80 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company website at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR)
Further information and toll free reservations at: 1 (800) 241-3333 (USA and Canada), 0800-1812334 (in Germany), 0800-201127 (in Austria), 0800-553986 (in Switzerland) or directly at the hotel at +49 30 33777-7, berlin@ritzcarlton.com or www.ritzcarlton.com.
Contact Information
Contact:
Julia Herchenbach
PR Manager
Potsdamer Platz 3
10785 Berlin, Germany
Tel.: +49(0)30-33 777 6026
Fax: +49 (0)30-33 777 5001
Cell: +49 (0)176-176 30 113
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