by Stephen Fearnley,
General Manager at Billesley Manor Hotel and Spa
As the General Manager at Billesley Manor Hotel and Spa, I have seen first-hand the transformative power of sustainability within the hospitality industry. Forging a path toward a greener future isn’t just an option, it’s an obligation.
At our hotel, we’ve embraced this ethos wholeheartedly, striving to set a precedent for what hotels can accomplish in their sustainability endeavours.
Forge strategic partnerships
Collaborate with environmentally responsible brands or suppliers. At Billesley, our partnership with Molton Brown allowed us to significantly reduce single-use plastics by adopting refillable dispensers, preventing thousands of bottles from entering landfills annually.
Building partnerships with local communities and green suppliers is crucial. Whilst sourcing locally and sustainability is about reducing our carbon footprint, it’s also about nurturing relationships, supporting local economies, and cultivating a sense of belonging within the community.
Revamp culinary offerings
Prioritise sustainability in your menu. Consider increasing vegetarian or vegan options and conduct thorough supplier screenings to ensure alignment with sustainability standards. These shifts not only cater to changing guest preferences but also reduce the ecological footprint of culinary operations.
Look for opportunities to integrate eco-friendly practices into daily operations. Develop kitchen gardens to grow fresh produce and repurpose organic waste for gardening. These steps contribute to self-sufficiency and waste reduction.
Upgrade infrastructure
Embrace sustainable infrastructure changes. These improvements reduce environmental impact and appeal to eco-conscious guests.
Transitioning toward digital operations minimises paper usage, streamlines processes, and reduces waste. From digital check-ins to paperless invoicing, digitisation enhances operational efficiency and contributes significantly to reducing a hotel’s environmental footprint.
Embracing renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, presents a monumental leap toward sustainability. Beyond minimising reliance on fossil fuels, this transition demonstrates a proactive approach in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
At Billesley, incorporating electric vehicle charging points signified a dedication to facilitating sustainable transportation options – this aligns with the growing trend toward sustainable travel.
Encourage guest engagement
True sustainability isn’t confined to operational tweaks. It’s a mindset. Educating guests and staff about sustainable practices is key. We engage our guests during their stay, encouraging them to participate in programmes like linen reuse or waste recycling. By instilling these values in our guests, we extend the impact beyond the confines of our property.
Engage guests in sustainability initiatives. Whether it’s promoting ‘Switch it Off’ campaigns to encourage energy conservation, offering insights into waste reduction, or giving guests egg shells to be resused in their home gardens like Billesley Manor does.
Plan holistic audits and initiatives
Conduct comprehensive audits to identify areas for improvement. We developed ‘Green Meetings’, gathering the heads of each department to regularly check on how we can increase our environmental responsibility – identifying areas that may be falling through the gaps.
Transparency and accountability are non-negotiable. We owe it to our guests and the environment to be transparent about our sustainability initiatives. Setting measurable goals, showcasing progress, and obtaining certifications serve not just as benchmarks but as commitments to our guests and the planet.
My belief is that every hotel has the potential to embark on a sustainability journey, irrespective of its scale or location. The key lies in taking actionable steps, fostering collaborations, and continually striving for improvement.
