Hospitality could do more on green issues

Most hospitality managers admit they aren't doing enough for the environment, exclusive research has revealed.

An online survey of more than 400 hospitality professionals, conducted by Caterer for its Green Month, shows that 62% considered their business as environmentally responsible, but admitted they could do more.

Recycling and saving energy were the most commonly used measures to protect the environment. But while three-quarters of respondents recycled paper and two-thirds recycled glass bottles, 10% said they didn't recycle at all.

The top energy saving measure, adopted by 81% of respondents, was to switch off lights and electrical equipment when not in use.

Despite this, more than two-thirds (67%) of professionals working in the hotel sector admitted they always left their televisions on standby. Using the Energy Savings Trust's estimate that leaving a television on standby costs £2 per year, this equates to a staggering £616,400 in wasted annual energy costs across the hotel industry.

Petra Clayton, director of marketing and communications at the HCIMA, said: "I am not surprised that 67% always leave their televisions on standby. This finding shows just how vital it is for UK hospitality owners and managers to adopt practical, cost-effective measures to reduce their energy consumption."

Lack of information on energy use was also highlighted as a big issue. While 27% said they had had an energy audit in the past six months, and the same number planned to do so in the next 12 months, 20% admitted they had never had an audit and had no intention of having one in the future.

The most common examples of energy waste were air conditioning or heating being switched on with doors or windows open.

One respondent's view reflected many of those received. "Our business has no energy saving plans at all. The air conditioning is on almost constantly, the windows don't open more than 10cm and currently there is work being done on the roof which will probably mean a massive waste in heat in the coming winter months."

Key findings

• 62% consider their business to be environmentally responsible but feel they could do more.
• 67% leave televisions on standby all the time
• 20% have no plans to do an energy audit.

Source: Caterer Green Month survey

By Kerstin Kühn

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