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.

Green Key’s hotel chain partners to kick-off tourism season with new hygiene protocols

The COVID-19 pandemic has essentially changed the way hygiene is perceived in the hospitality industry. Tourism establishments need to reassure their guests more than ever that that they comply with hygiene requirements and do their utmost to ensure a safe stay and work environment. Green Key’s hotel chain partners have found different ways to do so.

During the current pandemic, all of Green Key’s hotel chain partners - BWH Hotel Group, NH Hotel Group, Radisson Hotel Group and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts - had to adapt their operations to stay open or to prepare for a safe reopening to ensure the safety of both the guests and the staff members. Rigorous health and safety procedures with enhanced protocols have been implemented based on the WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines and on the local and national requirements. These changes lead to a deep transformation of the hotel industry and to the digitalisation of many tasks. In addition to flexible cancellation
policies, the customer experience in the hotels is being redefined and the traditional operational processes such as the check-in, the check-out or the buffet service are being reviewed.

Each hotel chain also implemented its own initiative to respond to the pandemic. For instance Best Western Hotels & Resorts (BWHR) expanded its already existing ‘I Care Clean program’ into ‘We Care Clean program’ to ensure an even higher level of cleaning standards and operational best practices at its properties. Based upon guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Health Canada, the ‘We
Care Clean’ program addresses everything from guest room and common area cleanliness, to streamlined processes that minimise contact between guests and associates while maintaining the customer service you expect from a Best Western-branded hotel. The programme addresses five key areas in the hotel: Front desk and lobby, guest room and housekeeping, temporary breakfast offerings, public amenities and hotel employee and staff requirements (Read the full press release here).

NH Hotel Group also partnered with SGS to redefine, adapt and extend their health processes. The new processes, which will include the revision and adaptation of all hygiene and disinfection protocols of the facilities, specific training for employees and control and monitoring of the measures, will be implemented in the hotels so that they are ready to receive their assessment seal as they recover their activity. The first establishment to apply these health standards for it to be monitored will be the Green Key awarded NH Collection Barbizon Palace hotel in Amsterdam. In addition to reinforcing the hygiene and disinfection measures, NH Hotel Group is simultaneously working on redesigning its customer experience with the aim of ensuring that safety and social distancing requirements are met in its facilities. A project in which all the traditional operational processes – such as the check-in, customer service protocols or the buffet concept - are being reviewed, and in which digitalisation will play a major role. Moreover, all members of the company will receive detailed training and preventive medical evaluation controls will be carried out daily for all employees and collaborators upon their arrival at the hotels. (Read the full press release here).

Radisson Hotel Group partnered with SGS, a multinational company which provides inspection, verification, testing and certification services, and announced the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol, a new program of in-depth cleanliness and disinfection procedures. These procedures include hand sanitizing stations at all entrances, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and protective screens, enhanced and recorded cleaning and disinfection frequency, social distancing in all areas of its hotels, including in the Meeting & Event facilities, training in local, Centers for Disease Control, or World Health Organization recommendations and health guidelines, reiteration of food safety standards and comprehensive staff training. In addition, the hotel chain will be introducing an official label of cleanliness and disinfection issued by SGS to ensure the highest cleanliness, hygiene and safety standards of all individual hotels. Under this program, individual hotels can receive an approval label upon completion of a comprehensive local audit including on-site testing using the latest technology. (Read the full press release here).

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts have provided their independently owned and operated franchised hotels and their managed and owned properties worldwide with guidelines and safety information provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detailing how to identify COVID-19 symptoms and mitigate its transmission. Furthermore, they have partnered with third parties, including Ecolab which is also a partner of Green Key, and other suppliers to provide their hotels with cleaning and disinfecting supplies and have made training available for their franchisees as well as their owned hotels to achieve the highest standards of cleanliness, disinfection and hygiene (Read the full press release here)

ACT.Global helps restoring confidence in the hospitality industry following COVID-19

Green Key’s partner ACT.Global provides the hospitality industry with a long-term and sustainable disinfection solution that helps combat COVID-19 by significantly reducing the risk of contamination on surfaces while also decomposing common pollutants from the air.

Premium Purity™ ATP sampling, source: ACT.global

It is well established that the COVID-19 crisis has had a dramatic effect on the hospitality industry. Several countries are starting to lift the bans and trying to return to normal. Yet the question remains: Will guests and staff feel comfortable re-inhabiting hotels shared by others who could potentially be sick?

To restore confidence among their guests and staff, hotels have to be proactive and document that they are taking all necessary measures to give their guests a comfortable and safe experience. 

ACT.Global offers a way of providing protection that does not involve the use of toxic bleach or other potentially harmful chemicals. They call this solution Premium Purity™.

Real-life cases from the cruise industry show a 50% reduction in gastrointestinal and respiratory outbreaks as well as a significant reduction in the use of toxic chemicals, water, and plastic related to the cleaning process. 

By implementing Premium Purity™, hotels can welcome back staff and guest to a low-microbial establishment where all surfaces treated are transformed from being passive to active players in the fight against COVID-19. In fact, with Premium Purity™ establishments can in full certainty claim that they are healthier and safer than most private homes. 

Premium Purity™ consists of ACT CleanCoat™ and the ACT ECA System™ combined with ACT Consulting and Monitoring.

Evaluated effective against COVID-19

ACT CleanCoat™ is a surface treatment based on an advanced technology that decomposes harmful microbes such as bacteria, viruses, airborne mold spores, and chemical compounds such as VOCs and NOx. 

The coating is transparent, odorless, and can be applied to all types of surfaces. When exposed to normal light, a photocatalytic reaction decomposes microbes and purifies the air. 

The recognised German lab, Dr Brill + Partner GmbH have tested ACT CleanCoat™ and conclude: 

Therefore, after successful experiments with three non-enveloped viruses, ACT CleanCoat™ is also effective against the so-called blood-borne viruses including HBV, HCV and HIV as well as against members of other virus families such as orthomyxoviridae (incl. all human and animal influenza viruses like H5N1 and H1N1), coronaviridae (MERS-CoV) and filoviridae, including Ebola virus.

ACT CleanCoat™ is effective for up to one year and continually disinfects all surfaces and cleans the air - all it takes is normal light.

Contamination

The coronavirus causes fever and respiratory symptoms. According to WHO, the virus can spread in the following ways: 

People can catch Covid-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with Covid-19 who coughs, sneezes or otherwise exhales droplets. 

People can also catch Covid-19 by touching objects or surfaces contaminated with the virus, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. Tests show the coronavirus can remain active on surfaces for several days. https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

ACT CleanCoat™ increases the decomposition of the virus on coated surfaces; In other words, ACT CleanCoat™ protects against cross-contamination of the infection via surfaces. 

ACT ECA System - for daily cleaning

The ACT ECA System™ is the sustainable alternative to conventional cleaning with harsh detergents.

ECA means electro-chemically activated. It is a process in which water and salt are run through a cell and create a mild cleaning liquid. With an ACT ECA Pro Generator, you can produce pH-neutral and environmentally friendly ACT ECA Water on site.

ACT ECA Water replaces all conventional cleaning detergents - and by doing so helps to significantly reduce the use of toxic chemicals, water, and plastic. 

Reaching your targets

An essential part of Premium Purity™  includes collecting, tracking, and supplying clients with relevant hygiene data and reports to ensure the established targets are achieved.

A feature story from ACT.Global

TUI presents ten-point plan for hotel operations in times of Coronavirus

Green Key’s partner TUI has introduced a 10-point plan with a set of measures and standards to reopen its hotels. 

Copyright : tuigroup.com

The measures will enable guests to enjoy their holidays in the knowledge that the highest hygiene standards in relation to Covid-19 have been put in place. In addition to organisation, capacity planning and hygiene measures, the plan also includes intensive training of local staff. The new standards will not only be implemented in the Group's own hotel brands such as TUI Blue, Robinson and TUI Magic Life, but will also be made available to the Group's joint venture and hotel partners. It is part of a more comprehensive package of measures that covers all of the tour operator's service components, from retail, flights and transfers to hotel stays, local excursions and cruises.

“Customer surveys clearly indicate that safety and hygiene will be of paramount importance for holidaymakers after the lockdown”, says Sebastian Ebel, the member of the Group Executive Board responsible for Holiday Experiences. "With our Group-wide, integrated health and safety management system, we can ensure that our hotels meet guests’ high expectations and offer the best possible protection against infections during these unusual times. We are laying the foundations for an agile and safe return to business so we can be ready to offer our unique holiday experiences again as soon as possible".

The plan in detail:

HOTEL ORGANISATION

1) Online check-in: Holidaymakers can make check-in contactless at many hotels by checking in online via the hotel's website or via their smartphone.

2) Distance rule: In public areas such as in the restaurants, corridors or gyms, all employees are required to keep a distance of 1.5 to two metres between them and the guests. For example, tables in restaurants will only be cleaned when guests have vacated them.

3) Personnel planning: Staff will work together in fixed teams in order to reconstruct possible infection chains.

CAPACITY ADJUSTMENT

4) Restaurant: To limit the number of guests in restaurants capacities will be significantly reduced. Tables will be set up at a minimum distance of 1.5 metres apart.

5) Extension of opening hours: In order to provide sufficient space for all guests, the opening hours of restaurants and other hotel facilities will be extended.

6) Entertainment and activities: Only events, sports and entertainments involving a small number of participants and without close contact will be made available. Golf or tennis, for example, can take place, but football tournaments cannot. The spa offer will be adapted and childcare will be organised according to new standards in line with the requirements of the destinations and guests’ countries of origin.

HYGIENE & DISINFECTION

7) Expansion of disinfectant dispensers: The number of dispensers will be significantly increased so that guests and employees can disinfect their hands at all important contact points. For example, all locations where food and drink is offered, sports facilities and in the lobby area.

8) Room cleaning: Extensive new cleaning practices will be put in place to provide the best possible protection against potential Covid-19 viruses. All rooms will be thoroughly deep cleaned before the arrival of guests and the same intensely robust cleaning protocols will be applied during every guest change over. The most frequently used areas, such as bathrooms, and most used devices and appliances like TV remote controls will receive particular attention.

9) Reduction of self-service: Self-service offers such as buffets will be reduced to a minimum. Wherever possible, food and beverages will be served to guests by staff wearing protective masks.

EXTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME

10) Training by independent auditors: TUI will train all employees in its own hotels. The training documents will be made available to the hoteliers.

These measures will be in addition to the statutory regulations of the respective destinations. In order to ensure an equally high level of safety in partner hotels not operated by TUI, the Group has also launched a comprehensive training and inspection programme in cooperation with the leading hygiene and safety consultancy Cristal International Standards. This includes training materials, webinars, checklists and customer information and will be made available to the joint venture partners and hotel operators imminently.

“With this set of measures we are creating the framework required to ensure we can offer our guests enjoyable and safe holiday experiences as soon travel restrictions are lifted. TUI can be relied upon to continue working hard, in close partnership with tourist destinations around the world, towards the gradual opening up of global tourism”, added Sebastian Ebel.

Copyright: tuigroup.com

Green Key's partner Ecolab ready to support establishments get back to business safely

Green Key International is providing access for its establishments to Ecolab’s programme of hygiene tools, materials and training, to offer peace of mind as the hospitality industry prepares to re-open post COVID-19

For decades, Green Key’s partner Ecolab has been helping its customers address big challenges and operate successfully in both good times and difficult times. Building on its experience of managing pandemics, from SARs in 2002, to MERS in 2012 and to today’s novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Ecolab demonstrates its commitment to keeping lodging, foodservice and healthcare markets cleaner, safer and healthier by releasing its relentless recovery programme.

Green Key International works with its awarded establishments to share best practices and stories of solidarity in its network. Support in the industry and from local communities are helping businesses in facing this period of adversity. The Ecolab programme is a free resource developed by Ecolab to provide expertise and guidance on combatting the spread of COVID-19 and reducing the risk of infection for employees and guests.

As social, leisure, retail and business operations recommence, collaboration of reputable partners like Ecolab and Green Key International is more important than ever to support establishments to safely restart their activities.

Ecolab has developed a programme of tools, materials and training accessible to all Green Key establishments as they prepare to welcome returning guests and customers:

• Informative and actionable information guiding hotels, restaurants, catering establishments and facilities as they prepare to reopen​

• Hygiene plans, wall charts and checklists to enable best hygiene practices, and  rebuild guest and customer confidence​

• Training for employees delivered on-site, remotely or via webinars, including state-of-the-art training materials from Ecolab’s online training experts Lobster Inc.​

• Innovative product solutions assuring highest hygiene standards through the customers operation ​

• Remotely or on-site service provided by Ecolab’s specialists who are trained to support customers before, during and after their reopening ​

The entire programme is available by visiting ecolab.com and for Green Key establishments in the global toolbox resource.

About Ecolab

A trusted partner at nearly three million customer locations, Ecolab (ECL) 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, data-driven insights and on-site service to promote safe food, maintain clean environments, optimize 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.

For more Ecolab news and information, visit www.ecolab.com.

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

FEE's Annual Report features Green Key's 2019 achievements

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) has recently published the 2019 Annual Report. The document displays the major developments, achievements and stories on both national and international level of all FEE programmes, including Green Key, that happened during the year 2019.

Click on the picture to access the full annual report

Green Key celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2019 with another year of international growth, collaboration and new partnerships. Among the key highlights, Green Key signed new agreements and extended existing ones with three major hotel chains :

• Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company, initiated a collaboration agreement with Green Key to support Wyndham’s sustainability efforts for their hotels in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Eurasia.

• Green Key will play a prominent role in helping the NH Hotel Group achieve ambitious sustainability goals for their hotels around the world.

• Radisson Hotel Group and Green Key renewed their agreement for another three years and expanded it to include hotels in the Asia-Pacific region.

The year of 2019 was also marked by several new corporate partnerships with Werner-Mertz, Ecolab, ACT.Global and Divello to promote sustainability in the hospitality industry through the companies’ innovative products.

Green Key also continued its relationships with many other valued corporate, institutional, web and NGO partners in 2019. Among others, Green Key International Director Finn Bolding Thomsen was present at the 50th Anniversary World Forum of the World Association for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training (AMFORHT) to make presentations about Green Key and FEE.

Furthermore, Green Key initiated in 2019 a revision process of the criteria and explanatory notes for 2021-2025 to further strengthen the Green Key programme in the years to come.

Last but not least, the first Green Key establishments in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Brazil, Suriname, Colombia and Australia were awarded in 2019. With more than 3,200 Green Key awarded hospitality establishments in 65 countries, Green Key reiterates its support to the development of the Sustainable Development Goals through the tourism industry.

Likewise, all four FEE’s programmes, namely Blue Flag, YRE, Leaf and Eco-Schools are also displayed in the Annual Report that you can check out by clicking here.

Exploring marine life in an educational submarine

The Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort in Mauritius, which has recently been awarded the Green Key for the 4th time, takes their youngest guests on a very special dive.

© Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort

In February, the Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort in collaboration with Reef Conservation, a local non-governmental organisation dedicated to the conservation and restoration of the marine environment of Mauritius, installed a new educational centre at the resort’s kids club which is truly one of it’s kind.

The educational centre in the shape of a yellow submarine is entered through a slide that brings the children to a colorful underwater vessel scenery. It is equipped with recycled mini stools, a television, a telescope, air conditioning and a magnetic board with various posters about the protection of the sea.

There are many activities and materials available in the centre, from ocean sensory activities to artwork, educational posters and workshops on marine life and marine sciences. By mixing both fun and science, the aim of this submarine is to raise children’s awareness about the fragility of the ocean’s ecosystems, the problems of environmental pollution and make them understand the importance of conservation.

Through involvement and active participation, the children learn to care about our oceans and marine life which is important to shape their attitude towards the environment and their behaviour in the future.

© Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort

#GreenKeyCares

The world is in the grip of COVID-19, and tourism is undoubtedly one of the industries that has been hit hardest by the pandemic. Green Key feels strong empathy with all affected establishments and wants to use its network to share best practices, inspiration and hope.

Click on the image to download the info graphic

Only a few weeks ago, nobody would have thought it possible that the whole travel industry would be put on pause. And yet, we find ourselves in this surreal situation where a holiday, a business trip or even a visit to friends and family has become something unobtainable. While most travellers #stayathome, cancel their longed-for trips and daydream about their next holiday someday in the future, tourism businesses fight to survive until they are able to welcome guests again.

We at Green Key know that many of our awarded establishments are struggling too, and we understand that their work towards sustainability is either not possible or not the highest priority at the moment. However, issues like climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss are not taking a break during the pandemic, and they will be more relevant than ever when we go back to ‘business as usual’.

Therefore, to encourage our awarded establishments to stay in the Green Key programme, we have made a plan of action to maintain your award during the crisis while still ensuring the highest sustainability standards. If you are an awarded establishment and would like to know what that means for your current Green Key award, please contact your National Operator or Green Key International.

Furthermore, Green Key International has gathered some tips on how you can sustain your business during and after the crisis. You can download the info graphic here: COVID-19 tips.

In addition, Green Key International has launched the #GreenKeyCares campaign to share best practices and the great stories of solidarity in our network. We were touched to see that so many businesses, though they are struggling themselves, are still spreading hope and supporting their local communities.

If you have a similar story to tell or if you have any helpful tips for other tourism businesses that you would like to share, please contact us or use our hashtag #GreenKeyCares on social media.

Let’s use the power of the Green Key network to support each other in these difficult times.

Take care and be safe,

The Green Key International Team

Member Feature - Park Inn by Radisson, Nairobi Westlands

Park Inn by Radisson, Westlands in Nairobi has once again been awarded the Green Key International Certification in 2020 for its work towards environmental responsibility and sustainable operations within the tourism industry.

Since it opened in 2017, the hotel has excelled in driving Radisson Hotel Group’s three Responsible Business Pillars; Think Planet, Think People and Think Community, all while delivering first class guest comfort.

The hotel uses 95% LED lighting and solar power for heating water, significantly saving on energy consumption and costs. Water stewardship is promoted in various ways including through installation of water-efficient equipment and fittings, as well as involvement of guests in a towel and linen recycling programme. There is also a high-tech reverse osmosis plant in the basement that produces drinkable water available from every tap in the hotel.

Staff are equipped to understand and practice sustainability at work and beyond, through continuous training and information updates on the initiatives by the hotel. Principles of gender empowerment are well demonstrated with more ladies in leadership positions than men. The hotel communicates its efforts to guests through information screens in the main lobby area and TVs in guest rooms.

All suppliers are empowered to practice responsible business through a comprehensive code of conduct that touches on human rights, business ethics and anti-corruption, and environmental sustainability.  Meaningful engagement with the local community is also important to the hotel, with clean-ups around the hotel, tree planting, and support for children at SOS Children’s Village Nairobi all long-term commitments to impact positively on society.

Green Key Kenya is proud to have Park Inn by Radisson, Nairobi Westlands in the programme!

Learn more about the hotel here