Radisson SAS hotel in Edinburgh

At the Radisson SAS hotel in Edinburgh we put environmental and social responsibility at the heart of our operations. As the first hotel in Scotland to hire a full-time, hotel specific environmental advisor, the hotel is driving forward innovative solutions to environmental and social challenges. Radisson SAS hotel in Edinburgh has partnered with suppliers to reduce packaging and transportation in the Edinburgh area, and is also piloting a towel monitoring programme to reduce linen use in guest rooms and the leisure club, while ensuring that the guest experience is not compromised.

Radisson SAS hotel in Edinburgh seeks to share and learn about best practice in responsible business, and works with a range of businesses to improve these policies throughout Scotland. We support the local community by nominating a local charity with which to work on an annual basis. Staff are involved in quarterly activities with the charity, and also raise funds. Hotel staff are currently voting for the local charity for 2008, and the announcement will be made in mid-December. We support the charity (and other local charities) through fundraising activities, the donation of materials no longer of use to the hotel (250 conference chairs, 1000 pillows, 435 electric kettles), and quarterly staff events. We encourage our guests to visit local attractions, eat in local restaurants and by local produce. We also encourage our guests to use public transport or local services. Additionally, staff raise funds for a named charity, the World Childhood Foundation.

Radisson SAS hotel in Edinburgh minimises energy use by using energy efficient light bulbs and appliances throughout the hotel, and turning off lights and appliances when not in use. We have a laundry scheme where we only change towels and sheets after 3 days or upon request. We use eco cleaning products called Ecolab in the property. We have installed bird feeders and nest boxes to encourage wildlife in our garden. We recycle glass, aluminium, plastic, paper and cardboard and have facilities for our guests to recycle their waste too. We support a local reforesting project in Dumfries and Galloway.

The hotel offsets 53kg of CO2 for each meeting and events delegate through Climate Change Scotland and Climate Care at no additional cost to the client. We reuse one-sided paper for all internal documents, and purchase Nordic Swan accredited paper products. We give our guests leaflets and information about the conservation of the natural environment and encourage them to use public transport. The hotel seeks to continually reduce electricity, natural gas and water usage, as well as reduce waste to landfill.

We work with our suppliers to reduce packaging and number of deliveries to the hotel. We train all staff in environmental and social responsibility. We work with Spectrum charity to assist the homeless with job application skills and confidence building (C.V. advice and interview skills building). We buy local produce from the nearby cheese shop and local butchers. We use local services such as builders, electricians and plumbers for the maintenance of the property.