Success Stories
Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter members are always implementing new and innovative sustainable business practices. Check back here regularly to learn about the contributions Charter member businesses are making towards sustainability.
Sustainability in Action @ Rydges
Aug 26, 2009
The Charter’s latest Sustainability In Action (SIA) function was held in June at Rydges Hotel Rotorua. Rydges is not only a charter member but also holds a Qualmark license and has been Green Globe benchmarked.
Sally Phipps, Rydges’ Executive Assistant Manager, welcomed members to the hotel and provided a brief presentation which covered some of the current sustainability actions taken by the hotel, actions being planned for the short to medium term and finally some of the limitations the hotel has to work with when planning for sustainability. Some of the hotel’s current actions Sally discussed included the installation of low flow Satin Jet showers heads, the use of biodegradable plastic bin liners and recycling of various materials such as plastic and glass. “We also chose to provide Health Pak amenities in the guest rooms for their quality but also for the company’s environmental commitment” says Sally.
Rydges has a number of sustainability actions being planned for the short to medium term including the introduction of guest recycling for each room and obtaining guest feedback on the hotel’s environmental performance. “In addition we’re also going to offer long term guests the option of leaving a green card on the door as an indication to room attendants not to service the room” says Sally. Management at Rydges understands the power of business consumers to change supplier behaviour and intend contacting their key suppliers asking them to assist the hotel in its quest for sustainability. “While we won’t be threatening suppliers with contract termination this may be an option in future if we feel they are not aligned with our values” says Sally.
As other Charter businesses know, adopting a sustainability ethic is not always easy and Rydges has come across a number of limitations. First and foremost of these is the investment required in both time and money. “This is especially true for significant sustainability actions and considering the current economic climate” says Sally. Other limitations include the hotel’s obligation to national contracts and the ability of new suppliers to offer a national supply contract. In some cases the level of service the hotel needs to provide to maintain its star rating results in less sustainability. “We have to provide spas which use a lot of water and we now have to install air conditioning in all the guest rooms which will increase our energy consumption” says Sally. Despite these challenges Sally believes that perseverance is critical. “We mustn’t use difficulties or set backs as an excuse for not being sustainable.”
Click here>>> to view the detailed Rydges Rotorua factsheet for this event.
