Official launch of Green Key in Scotland

Scotland’s tourism and hospitality establishments are encouraged to find out more about how their green recovery plans from COVID-19 might become reality with support from environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful through international ecolabel Green Key. 

Copyright: Green Key Scotland

Keep Scotland Beautiful has officially launched the Green Key programme in Scotland and offers a package of support to help Scotland’s tourism and hospitality establishments benefit from year-on-year environmental improvements that can also lead to financial savings. Keep Scotland Beautiful is the charity that campaigns, acts and educates on a range of local, national and global environmental issues to change behaviour and improve the quality of people’s lives and the places they care for. Therefore, the charity is committed to making Scotland clean, green and sustainable.

Green Key is proud to continue its leading standard of excellence in environmental responsibility and sustainable operation now also within the tourism industry in Scotland. Green Key is open to a wide range of establishments including hotels, visitor attractions, conference centres, campsites and restaurants and helps them meet global environmental standards set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and recognised by the UN World Tourism Organisation.

Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful says;

We are delighted to offer Green Key in Scotland and encourage tourism and hospitality establishments across the country to secure the multiple benefits of a green recovery from COVID-19 by partnering with us through this internationally recognised programme. We have a highly-skilled team of staff available to assist Green Key applicants with both technical support and advice and encourage you to get in touch today to start your sustainability journey.

Lyn Donnelly, Senior Partnerships Manager at VisitScotland adds;

We believe that the success of Scotland’s tourism industry rests on protecting and enhancing the Scottish environment. Our country’s natural beauty and landscapes are a vital part of our offer and hugely important to communities as well as our visitors. As we support the industry with COVID-19 recovery plans, we know there is an opportunity to reset tourism based on a more responsible future.

Finn Bolding Thomsen, International Green Key Director at Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) additionally comments;

Green Key is an internationally recognised and respected eco-label for the tourism sector and has been awarded to over 3,200 establishments in 65 countries. We urge tourism establishments to join with Keep Scotland Beautiful through Green Key and use the well-proven framework as a pathway to environmental excellence and sustainable operation.

Find out more about Green Key and the support that Keep Scotland Beautiful offers at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/greenkey.

Copyright: Green Key Scotland

Historic Hotels of Europe and Green Key enter cooperation agreement

Green Key will support Historic Hotels of Europe in its work with sustainability.

Chateau Liblice, Czech Republic

Historic Hotels of Europe is an exclusive collection of independent hotels, castles, palaces, country houses and other properties of historic importance in more than 20 countries across Europe. Each property has been handpicked for its historical ties, exceptional quality and unique past with the aim of giving guests an unforgettable experience. The main purpose of Historic Hotels of Europe is to protect each property’s heritage - preserving and improving them to ensure that travellers from the world over can get to know their amazing stories.

The cooperation agreement with Green Key will give the properties of Historic Hotels of Europe support in ensuring high sustainability standards.

Claudia Buscher, Executive Director of Historic Hotels of Europe, says: “We are delighted to have entered an agreement with Green Key. The hotel industry identifies sustainability as a "new currency" in the competition for guest bookings and image enhancement while it is important for the environment to act and go green. We encourage our unique properties to have their work with sustainability recognised through the Green Key programme of excellence because we believe in their sustainable development goals, like the Global Forest Fund.”

Green Key is the world’s leading sustainability certification programme for the hospitality industry, with more than 3,200 awarded establishments in 65 countries. The Green Key award is based on compliance with a strict set of criteria that are internationally recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Green Key’s application, audit and award process is standardised and includes regular on-site audits and third-party verification of the award.

Finn Bolding Thomsen, International Director of the Green Key programme, adds: “Sustainability is about connecting Historic Hotels of Europe’s focus on cultural heritage with Green Key’s efforts for environmental management, environmental awareness and social responsibility. We look forward to assisting the properties to achieve the Green Key award.”

Werner & Mertz for a sustainable transformation of our post-COVID 19 world

Green Key’s and Blue Flag’s partner Werner & Mertz Professional urges for a stronger focus on sustainability in our post-COVID 19 world and supports their clients in being part of this transformation.

©Werner & Mertz

These days, our society is facing unprecedented challenges – during and after the crisis. Being a producer of sustainable cleaning product solutions, Werner & Mertz’s is one of the companies that had the immediate chance to help stem the pandemic and took this important social responsibility very seriously. Since weeks, the company is prioritising the production of disinfectants and clients that need them most such as hospitals, nursing homes, government agencies of outstanding importance for national security and food retailer.

As people currently clean more frequently and intensively than before, it is even more important to use sustainable and biodegradable detergents without toxic substances thus avoiding further unnecessary burdens for people and the environment. As special emphasis is now placed on the cleaning of surfaces in exterior or public areas. Whether disinfecting certain surfaces outside healthcare facilities is required at all should be decided on a case-by-case basis, depending on the actual contamination of the surfaces. To support their clients and partners with reopening their businesses with the right cleaning practices, Werner & Mertz developed cleaning & hygiene guidelines for their clients.

German Environmental Award winner and owner of Werner & Mertz, Reinhard Schneider, appealed for a sustainable transformation instead of retro liberalism in post-corona era in a press release published on 3 June. He vouches for a stronger focus on circular economy principles when rebuilding the economy as the long supply chains were particularly prone to disruption during the time of the crisis. Werner & Mertz itself is a front-runner in terms of circularity, with many of their products being certified with the ‘Cradle-to-Cradle’ standard.

Being a family-owned company, Werner & Mertz is also dedicated to the social side of sustainability and gives back to the community wherever they can. In June, the company donated approximately 170 pallets of more than 80,000 sustainable ‘Frosch’ brand household cleaners, dishwashing and laundry detergents to Tafel centers throughout the country, providing the customers of the Tafel with the necessary means to keep their homes clean and safe. The Tafel is a non-profit organisation in Germany supporting people in need with food and other daily supplies.

TUI Group and Green Key entering cooperation agreement

TUI Group works with all Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recognised certification programmes, and TUI Group will on some of its websites highlight Green Key awarded establishments.

Elounda Beach Hotel Viilas, Greece

TUI is the world’s leading tourism group. The broad portfolio gathered under the Group umbrella consists of strong tour operators, 1,600 travel agencies and leading online portals, five airlines with around 150 aircraft, over 400 hotels, 18 cruise liners and many incoming agencies in all major holiday destinations around the globe. It covers the entire tourism value chain under one roof. This integrated offering enables TUI to provide their 27 million customers with an unmatched holiday experience in 180 regions. A key feature of their corporate culture is the global responsibility for economic, environmental and social sustainability. This is reflected in more than 20 years of commitment to sustainable tourism.

As part of the cooperation agreement between TUI and Green Key, a Green Key database extract will regularly be sent to TUI Group, and TUI Group will on some of its websites (the TUI Nordic websites) add the Green Key logo next to Green Key awarded establishments that are included in TUI’s portfolio. TUI Group accepts not only Green Key awarded establishments, but establishments from all certification programmes recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

Green Key and DIVELLO partnership to save water and energy

This partnership will help Green Key establishments optimizing, improving energy efficiency and extend the life of existing sanitary and heating installations.

In hotels, large amounts of energy and water are consumed unnecessarily. Sanitary and heating installations are often replaced, although with simple steps you can optimize and extend the lifespan of the existing installations.

Divello offers products to optimize existing sanitary and heating installations in properties (shower, tap, WC and radiator). Divello quickly became a leading product company in Scandinavia within their business area thanks to their independence, high-quality products and close cooperation with market-leading partners in production, distribution and installation. Individual tap sites have reduced their showers and tap water and energy consumption by up to 60% thanks to Divello products.

We are very proud to enter a partnership with Green Key. A strong brand, a global presence and the enthusiastic team at Green Key in combination with Divello high-quality products secures a water and energy efficient future. This partnership ensures a win, win, win situation for the Green Key establishments, their guests and especially the environment. Niclas Ryhage, Managing Director – DIVELLO AB (Stockholm 10/12-2019).

The agreement between Divello and Green Key will provide Green Key establishments with the tools to reduce their water and energy consumption and in this way contribute to spreading more sustainable practices in the hospitality industry.

Ecolab and Green Key partner to help hotels and restaurants across Europe improve sustainability

Partnership will help promote sustainability in the hospitality industry by offering sustainable and efficient hygiene solutions to members

A global survey carried out by travel and tourism company TUI Group found that 66% of travellers expect on the travel industry to build and promote a more sustainable experience.

Every day, Ecolab works with its customers across the globe to do more with less – using innovative solutions to improve business outcomes while protecting vital resources. The company’s partnership with Green Key will promote the use of sustainable solutions at hotels and restaurants across Europe to meet customer expectations and achieve and maintain Green Key certification.  

“We provide customers with solutions and services that help keep their operations clean and safe and enable them to achieve both operational and sustainability goals,” said Maarten Potjer, vice president and general manager of Ecolab’s Institutional business in Europe. “Through this partnership with Green Key, we can help hospitality businesses meet increasing consumer expectations around sustainability and achieve Green Key accreditation.”

“Working closely with market leaders and environmentally conscientious organisations such as Ecolab is a mutually beneficial arrangement that helps to broaden our reach while affording our partners the opportunity to highlight their commitment to helping address environmental concerns,” said Finn Bolding Thomsen, International Green Key Director.

To learn more about Ecolab’s commitment to sustainability, visit www.ecolab.com/sustainability/product-responsibility.

---

About Ecolab

A trusted partner at nearly three million customer locations, Ecolab Inc. is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services that protect people and vital resources. With annual sales of $15 billion and 49,000 associates, Ecolab delivers comprehensive solutions and on-site service to promote safe food, maintain clean environments, optimise water and energy use, and improve operational efficiencies for customers in the food, healthcare, energy, hospitality and industrial markets in more than 170 countries around the world. www.ecolab.com

Follow us on Twitter @ecolab, Facebook at facebook.com/ecolab, LinkedIn at Ecolab or Instagram at Ecolab Inc.

Ecolab Contact:                          

 Laetitia Tettamanti

laetitia.tettamanti@ecolab.com

  ###

About Green Key

The Green Key award is the leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry

This prestigious eco-label represents a commitment by businesses that their premises adhere to the strict criteria set by the Foundation for Environmental Education. A Green Key stands for the promise to its guests that by opting to stay with the Green Key establishment, they are helping to make a difference on an environmental level. The high environmental standards expected of these establishments are maintained through rigorous documentation and frequent audits. Green Key is eligible for hotels, hostels, small accommodations, campsites, holiday parks, conference centres, restaurants and attractions.

Green Key Contact :

Finn Bolding Thomsen

finn@fee.global

Radisson Hotel Group launches new meetings and events offering

Green Key’s hotel chain partner Radisson Hotel Group is proud to launch Radisson Meetings™, its new global meetings and events offering. Available across the group’s seven hotel brands, Radisson Meetings is developed around the three core elements of successful events – Personal, Professional and Memorable – while being 100% carbon neutral through offsetting.

Meetings and events play an important part in Radisson Hotel Group’s ambitious five-year plan. The launch of Radisson Meetings represents an important milestone in reaching its goal of becoming the market leader in this segment and customers’ first choice for their meetings and events. 

Eric De Neef, Executive Vice President & Global Chief Commercial Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: 

“Radisson Meetings represents our commitment to deliver a personal, professional and memorable service to our guests, and to respond to changing market trends and expectations. We are investing in our meeting venues at our 1,100+ hotels worldwide, in training of our teams, and in technology. A state-of-the-art IT infrastructure and distribution platform are core elements helping us to deliver our brand promise. Finally, all Radisson Meetings are carbon neutral – we are the only hotel group worldwide to automatically offset any carbon footprint at no cost to our customers.”

THE FOUNDATIONS 

Placing customer needs at the heart of its offer, Radisson Meetings is built on three core pillars: personal, professional and memorable.

Radisson Meetings makes every meeting personal through its team of meetings and events professionals, who are trained to take a solution-focused approach and to design solutions around each client’s individual requirements. Excellent customer service is one of the factors that matters most to event planners when selecting a venue. That is why Radisson Meetings promises a dedicated point of contact throughout the planning process who will provide support and recommendations, as well as on-site on-demand support at the touch of a button during the event.

Radisson Hotel Group is committed to making a multi-million investment across its portfolio in new audio-visual technology and improved facilities. This investment will help the group deliver on its promise to provide a professional and consistent quality service across its entire portfolio. Implementation has already been completed in 55 properties across 11 countries in EMEA and will be progressively rolled out globally across the group's portfolio by the end of the five-year operating plan in 2021.

To help event planners deliver memorable events for their attendees, Radisson Meetings provides an impressive portfolio of venues, tempting menus and other extras that will surprise and delight. 

With the launch of Radisson Meetings, Radisson Hotel Group automatically offsets the carbon footprint of every meeting or event taking place at their hotels worldwide, at no cost to attendees or organizers. To do this, Radisson Hotel Group has teamed up with FirstClimate, one of the largest carbon offsetting organizations in the world. 

For each meeting, the carbon footprint is calculated and then offset through First Climate by supporting projects that combat climate change and have a positive sustainable development contribution in Peru, Kenya, and India or invest in wind energy in Turkey and the USA. All selected projects are Gold Standard or Verified Carbon Standard certified. Furthermore, Radisson Meetings focus on ongoing efforts to minimize food waste and eliminate single-use plastics. 

Radisson Rewards for Business, the group’s loyalty program for event planners, is also an important component of the Radisson Meetings concept. Members can earn valuable points toward rewards for all bookings at all Radisson Hotel Group brands.

For more information, please visit: 

https://www.radissonmeetings.com

International auditing company supports Green Key with on-site audits

Control Union and Green Key have formalised a cooperation with the aim of having Control Union conducting Green Key on-site audits.

Control Union is an international auditing company founded in the Netherlands in 2002, but today Control Union has national offices in 70 countries around the world. The company has a long track record of conducting audits in many areas of operation, including sustainability audits within the hospitality industry. 

Johan Maris, Director at Control Union, says: “We are happy to be able to extend our large portfolio of services to include Green Key onsite audits, and with the Control Union offices in many countries around the world, we are often able to identify a local auditor to reduce travel costs and carbon emission.”

Through the agreement, Control Union is offering its service of being able to conduct Green Key onsite audits at applicant establishments located in countries without a Green Key National Operator.

Finn Bolding Thomsen, International Director at Green Key adds: “We are experiencing a growing interest in Green Key from establishments all over the world, and with our strict system of having regular onsite audits we will need additional third-party auditors, so Control Union with its large network of national offices fit well to our needs.”  

Calculate the benefits of switching to green cleaning products

As climate, energy, and plastics problems are being discussed across the globe, it is getting more important to point out existing solutions of environmental pioneers. The PERFORMANCE CALCULATOR of our partner green care PROFESSIONAL is a tool that shows the exact savings on crude oil, plastics and CO2 when products from the green care PROFESSIONAL line are used.

The green care PERFORMANCE CALCULATOR ascertains the crude oil savings from the packaging weight, product ingredients and the share of recyclates contained in the packaging and converts them into CO2 equivalents. The customer obtains a summary of a measurable, certified value and meaningful evidence of the actual efficiency of green products. The calculator is available free of charge at get.wmprof.com.

After a period of use of green care PROFESSIONAL products, the real savings can be certified and added to any CSR report or used in marketing of a tourism establishments. Many products of the green care PROFESSIONAL range trust on the EU Ecolabel certification and the additional circular label of the Cradle-to-Cradle® Institute.

Even if an establishment doesn’t plan to replace its cleaning products with green care PROFESSIONAL products, the calculator is a useful tool to estimate the environmental footprint of its conventional cleaning products.

The calculation was validated by environmental auditors and acknowledged as one the first footprint calculation tool for recycled plastics:

Nominations include the Amsterdam Innovation Award at the INTERCLEAN exhibition and best practice example at the Circular Economy meeting in October 2018 run by the French government. Most recently it received the silver prize for innovative solutions in cleaning services at the Europrope cleaning fair in Paris.

The manufacturer behind the brand is the Werner & Mertz Group and well known across Europe for its pioneering cleaning eco-brands like “Frosch”, “Rainett” aside green care PROFESSIONAL.

It also received many packaging prizes for its first-time developments of 100% recycled plastic materials and is one of the highlighted partners within the Ellen MacArthur foundation looking to preserve the oceans.