Turning the
tide
"Here at Harbour Hotels, our focus on sustainability has, for quite some time, been at the forefront of our decision-making, with the following sustainability initiatives recently introduced across the group as the first step in our commitment to making positive change." - Mike Warren, Managing Director
Renewable energy
When it comes to energy, we can't stand static. Our hotels are now more energy efficient than ever, with all of our energy now coming from 100% renewable sources and we've even switched to key card, motion-controlled electricity for 80% of our guest rooms.
Water usage reduction
We've taken the smart choice, having rolled out cutting edge, water management technology by SMART FLOW in 13 of 14 Harbour Hotels. This has saved up to 50% of our previous water usage, reducing our water footprint and overall energy consumption.
Eco-friendly products
We've eliminated the use of over 850,000 single-use plastic bottles throughout our hotels by going all-natural with the luxury toiletry brand 'Bramley'. We now use refillable glass bottles in all our bathrooms and each product is produced completely cruelty free, vegan friendly and river and ocean safe. They're also 100% British made and fully sustainable, which complements our core eco-friendly values.
Electric charging points
The future of Harbour transport is electric. We've installed five EV charging points at our hotels including Christchurch, Harbour Beach Club, Padstow, Salcombe and Southampton hotels. There are eight more in the pipeline and we're not stopping there. We've begun the roll-out of an all-electric fleet across the group, with the first e-shuttle for guests currently clocking up green miles at Harbour Beach Club.
Sustainable waste management
50% of all waste we produce is now recycled, while a further 33% is used to create energy and anaerobic digestion technology is used to convert 13% into green energy. The aim is and always will be to reduce the amount of waste we produce in the first place, so we reuse and recycle across all hotels.
Reducing food miles
We believe that our guests' food shouldn't have travelled more miles than they have to get to us. We create our dishes using good quality, locally sourced, sustainable ingredients, with 75% of produce coming from the UK. This means we support local suppliers, stand for quality and, best of all, reduce our carbon footprint.
Innovating with recycled ocean plastic
Where possible, we avoid the use of plastics across the group, but if this proves difficult, we then look for an alternative approach. For example, our eco-friendly plastic key cards are made from 60% recycled plastics found in the ocean. This saves our natural resources, cleans up our environment and just makes sense.
Cleaner oceans
How do we sleep at night? It's simple when we know that all the linen that our guests sleep on is laundered by CLEAN. The most eco-friendly of eco-friendly laundry suppliers, they have won multiple environmental awards for their continued focus on creating sustainability and the use of ethical cleaning products.
Eco-friendly spa partner
We've partnered with luxury British brand Temple Spa as our spa partner as their sustainability focus and transparent eco-ethos fits with ours. 100% cruelty-free, 90% of all products are 100% recyclable with a commitment to 100%, and in the last two years, over 7 tonnes of plastic have been removed from their packaging. Add to this FSC sourced cartons, sustainably sourced palm oil with RSPO certification and a big philanthropic heart - Temple Spa perfectly aligns.
Bluer Future Team
How do you change the future of the business? With an enthusiastic team of sustainability champions, that's how. The Bluer Future Team are from all different backgrounds and positions in the group and meet regularly to address sustainability, share ideas and come up with creative solutions to turn the tide towards a bluer future for Harbour Hotels.
Room to Reward
We utilise any unsold hotel rooms by donating them to our friends, Room to Reward, a unique charity enabling charities and communities to thank their dedicated volunteers with a well-earned short break. We even provide their team with complimentary office space and regularly support fundraising initiatives for the charity.
Together with our Bluer Future Team, we’re always looking forward to take new steps towards turning the tide for a brighter, more sustainable, future at Harbour Hotels.