Strand Palace, one of London’s leading hotels since 1909, has been awarded a Green Key accreditation for their efforts towards sustainable hospitality. The international environmental award marks Strand Palace’s commitment to eco-friendly policies that make a measurable difference.
Green Key sets the standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism sector. During the rigorous judging, each establishment is assessed against strict standards, which are set by the global Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and backed by the World Tourism Organisation and the UN Environment Programme. These criteria include staff involvement, guest information and sustainable management of energy, waste, water, cleaning products, food and drinks.
Matthew Beard, Cluster Managing Director at Strand Palace said: “I am delighted that Strand Palace has been awarded a Green Key. We are a large hotel with 788 rooms, so the sheer scale of our operation means every choice we make and action we take, has a considerable consequence. Making greener choices, such as setting up an internal Green Team, supporting and rewarding guests to Go Green and working with the most eco-friendly waste management company we can find has been a top priority. My team and I have been collectively and strategically working towards, and putting resources behind, our mission to reduce our environmental impact and improve guests’ experiences for now and many years to come.
This award is an incredible recognition of what we have achieved so far but our efforts are ongoing and my target for 2023 is to have no single-use plastic in our bars and restaurants whatsoever, and to expand our Corporate Social Responsibility engagement.”
To achieve this award, Strand Palace was assessed against 130 criteria in 13 categories. Some of the stand-out initiatives to improve the ecological footprint of their operations include:
- New for 2022, Strand Palace has partnered with a new waste management company First Mile Waste that is committed to a zero landfill approach.
- New for 2022, Strand Palace has partnered with Marlish to provide canned spring water, flavoured water, tonic and mixers in an effort to phase out plastic bottle usage.
- A dedicated Green Team is in place to ensure a targeted focus and implementation of all environmental practices.
- A comprehensive Sustainability Policy to reduce waste, pollution and emissions. This covers all aspects such as energy, water, waste, chemicals, transport and responsible purchasing.
- Encouraging guests to ‘Go Green’ with energy saving options, advice and rewards. Practices include optional reusing of towels and bed linen, offering plant-based menus and meal choices as well as providing local and British suppliers for food and drink to reduce food miles and carbon footprint.
- An environmentally mindful refurbishment in 2020 with many energy-saving upgrades and features such as new carpets made from over 84,500 recycled plastic bottles preventing them from going to landfill.
In England, the Green Key scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton said:
“We are thrilled to award Strand Palace the Green Key certification. This award proves that quality and sustainability can go hand in hand, meaning travellers do not have to compromise in order to curb their carbon impact.
The Green Key programme not only serves to recognise the specific achievements of each establishment but also to create a network within the industry for the sharing of innovation and best practice.
It is our vision that the whole industry takes steps to reduce their carbon footprint as we strive to Build Back Better post pandemic and decarbonise the UK economy to meet the government’s 2050 net zero target.”
For more information about the Strand Palace environmental practices and policy visit: https://www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk/sustainability.html
