Save money and enhance the guest experience, by choosing better options for the planet? Four Green Key certified establishments from France are ready to show you that this is possible. They have prepared some pro tips for you, all based on their successful resource-conservation and reduction journeys.
c. Domaine du Centaure
Mission 1:
Campsite Les Saules shifts to more sustainable energy
Generating electricity and heat by burning fossil fuels accounts for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global warming and climate change. According to The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), energy production worldwide generates on average 485 grams of CO2 emissions per kilowatt-hour of electricity. In comparison, solar panels were estimated to emit about 48 grams of CO2 per kWh produced.
Located in the Loir and Cher region in France, and part of the “Sites et Paysages” network, Les Saules campsite has decided to invest in photovoltaic energy. Having considered costs, benefits and the potential return on investment, solar panels have been set up to supply energy for lighting and water heating in the sanitary unit.
The results have exceeded the expectations, with 5400 kWh, 2.5 tons CO2e, and substantial amount of money saved in one year.
Since the efficiency of the panels has turned out to be higher than ever expected, Les Saules has chosen to use then the solar energy to power hair and hand dryers too. Also, setting more PV (photovoltaic) panels is planned, to supply the swimming pool’s pumps and the heat pumps.
Given the unceasing increase in energy costs, the campsite continues working towards its newest goal - becoming self-sufficient in energy to up to 70%.
‘Such a project might be rather expensive, but it will be largely compensated by the long-term savings’ concluded the establishment.
Worried about the financial aspect? Scroll down to the Top tips section to learn about a possible solution to handle the costs.
Mission 2:
Hostel Domaine du Centaure restores biodiversity
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reports: more than 40% of insect species across the world are declining and a third are endangered. Playing a key role in developing and maintaining soil structure and fertility, pollination, nutrient cycling, and having a crucial bottom position in the food chains, insects are one of the pillars of our ecosystems.
This is why, the Domaine du Centaure, a hostel on the outskirts of Paris, has come up with a biodiversity-preserving initiative that also allowed the establishment to create an attractive green relaxing space for its guests.
The initial step consisted of consulting the gardener in order to carefully select the variety of flowers that would later attract pollinating insects and birds. The land was left uncut until it has become a flowery fallow area. Soil sponges have been installed to ensure the grounds’ moisture, and small dead wood have been brought so new insects could settle in.
The positive impact was soon observed, with the hostel grounds attracting birds earlier than any other area in the neighbourhood.
Seeing the communal benefit and the increased attractiveness of the garden to the guests, Domaine du Centaure has continued the project by installing birds and bats nesting boxes and creating a small pond. Now, the establishment is also in the process of becoming an officially recognised bat sanctuary.
Do you want to know some final suggestions from the Domaine du Centaure? Keep on reading and discover Top Tips on how you can improve the overall look of green areas in your establishment.
Mission 3:
Hotels from Saint Marie-de-Ré harvest rainwater
Potable water is a scarce and precious resource. Yet, the hotels Les Vignes de la Chapelle and Hôtel de Ré have discovered that approximately 54% of water consumed within their establishments did not require drinking water quality. As reported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), as many as 50 litres is ‘the average daily amount used in rich countries to flush toilets’. The potential for improvement was then obvious. The solution? Rainwater harvesting.
c. Les Vignes de la Chapelle
Using collected rainwater on the hotels’ premises turned out to be even more cost-effective and eco-friendly than initially expected. Once the innovation was implemented, it came to the French hotels’ attention that rainwater is often softer than the water from the urban network. That results in less cleaning products being used, allowing the hotels to bring savings and minimise their environmental impact even further.
The water is recovered from the roofs and it has been used primarily for watering hotel gardens and flushing the toilets. However, if the rainfall is not sufficient, a bypass system allows the urban network to automatically take over.
Does it seem like a suitable innovation for your establishment? Are you wondering where to start from?
the Action plan
Step 1
In France (and potentially in your country), it is necessary to contact your regional health agency and verify that such project is possible in the region. It may first seem like a hustle, but Les Vignes de la Chapelle and Hôtel de Ré both agree: savings on the invaluable resources and benefiting the environment are all worth it! You might also need an approval from your local authorities.
Step 2
Once the authorisations have been obtained, other elements must be studied. Consider the local rainfalls’ patterns to decide whether concrete or polyethylene, buried or not, tank makes the most sense for your circumstances. Other equipments will be also necessary, such as a pump, a filter (of good quality to have the clearest water possible), a non-return system, an overflow, aeration and a level indicator.
Prices may differ significantly dependently on the country, however, do not get discouraged. There are ways to handle it - and you can find one suggestion in the Top Tips section at the bottom.
Step 3
Finally, as rainwater is not drinkable, it is imperative to indicate this in your bathrooms to ensure your guests’ safety. Then, start harvesting rainwater and do something good for environment, while turning your establishment more self-sufficient and eco-friendlier.
c. Les Vignes de la Chapelle
Top tips:
You don’t need to implement the whole innovation at once - split the costs and test the potential of solar panels by substituting other types of energy one by one.
Don’t forget to look out for possible grants - with the growing need for cleaner energy, more financial support, e.g. from your local authorities, might be available.
There is no need for big garden space - even in the tiniest area, you can create a small ecosystem that your guests and employees can enjoy.
Domaine du Centaure opted for mowing the garden once per year, but you can also choose to keep mowing the paths regularly - for more organised and neat look.
Consider getting your employees, local associations or neighbours involved in the ecological project - you will not only do something good the environment, but you will also contribute to the community.
There are regional and national programmes that can support you financially - in France, it is the “Tremplin for Ecological transition of SMEs” framework created by the French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME). Make sure to do thorough research and reach out to people to find the best option!
‘Don’t wait any longer to set a rainwater collector. Every minute you waste are savings you are not making, and financial support is possible, so take advantage of it!’