Gram UK is planning to give away one of its energy-efficient refrigerators to the UK’s most sustainable hotel this month in a competition run in partnership with Caterer & Hotelkeeper.
Hotel operators and chefs can enter by visiting www.gogreenwithgram.co.uk and answering questions about the sustainable actions they are taking before the competition deadline of midnight, Friday 18 November.
The company’s search for the UK's hotel Green Champion coincides with the publication of an in-depth, hotel-specific analysis of the results of its Green Paper 2010.
“Consumer demand is continuing to drive the need for higher green standards within the hotel sector and the report highlights that more and more hoteliers are starting to realise that sustainability and green initiatives are both good for business and good for the bottom line,” commented Glenn Roberts, managing director of Gram UK.
The analysis revealed that 56% of respondents had not let the recession affect their green initiatives, with 27% saying they had become greener as a result of the hard times.
Hotels topped the list of sectors looking towards energy initiatives to reduce their environmental impact – 35% had introduced some form of energy-saving or energy management system. However, only 31% were involved in recycling, the lowest level among hospitality and catering sectors.
Running costs trumped purchase costs when it came to energy saving technology for 47% of hotels, but 74% were unaware of Government loan schemes for to help them buyg energy-efficient kit and 71% did not know of the Energy Technology List - only 5% had taken advantage of the scheme.
Roger Croft, chairman of the Institute of Hospitality, East Midlands, highlighted the importance of hotels tackling their energy usage: “Recent estimates state that the total energy consumption of Britain’s catering industry is in excess of 21,600 million kW/h per year.
“Caterers use approximately two-and-a-half times more energy per square meter of floor area than the average commercial building, with the kitchen being one of the highest areas of waste.”
For a copy of the Green Paper call 01322 616 900 or e-mail info@gramuk.co.uk.