HOTEL DE LA PORTE DOREE GOES GREEN

The earth is at stake. Sustainable development and sustainable tourism is a real issue today and every actor in the business should be aware that each one of their actions could have a consequence on the only earth we have. Ecotourism, responsible travel is an easy challenge in which everyone can engage. Hotel de la Porte Dorée has decided to commit to the eco change and participate into the programme of developing ecological awareness!

Hotel de la Porte Dorée goes green!

I. What we’re doing to be more ecological

> Non Smoking rooms

> Energy saving, ecological solutions

• New reversible air conditioning / heating: this technology enables 75% electric consumption saving in comparison to standard heating and is just as efficient. Plus, there is only one device for both use

• Heating and AC control: we adjust the temperature of unoccupied guestrooms, use efficient insulation means.

• Lights: use of energy efficient lighting and appliances. We have adopted low consumption lights and we always turn out lights that aren't being used, dramatically reducing energy consumption without major sacrifices.

> Newspapers: we feel that newspapers shouldn't be delivered to every guest in the hotel because it is such a waste of paper and resources. Instead, newspapers are available to those who want them at reception.

> Environmental Cleaning: we use environmental friendly cleaning products, avoid using harsh or harmful-to-people chemicals or cleaning styles. That includes not using perfumed or scented laundry supplies, carpet cleaners, cleaning supplies, or air fresheners.

> We use recycled products: paper, tissues, and envelopes

>Water Conservation: we have adopted more efficient practices including low-flow toilets, shower heads, and faucets (30% water saving!)

> Sheet Re-use Program: it's a way of reducing the water and energy consumption involved in washing sheets daily. Sheets are currently changed every 3 days and of course, for every new client.
We will let guests who are staying longer, request a less frequent sheet change.

>Towel Re-use Program: it's a way of reducing the water and energy consumption involved in washing towels daily. However, we will let guests request a less frequent towel change.

> Regular maintenance: replacing old, wasteful fixtures (light bulbs, old toilets that use lots of water in their flushing, old shower heads and faucets) and appliances (like refrigerator and freezers, washing machines, dryers and computers) as they break or wear out, with new efficient fixtures and appliances.

> Recycling bins: we sort out our waste and have different coloured bins for glass, paper and plastic, all the other waste.

II. What you can do to be more ecological

All actions taken are usually easy ones but that can help save water, save energy, save solid waste and in the end save our planet’s resources.

Ecological tips:

> Save energy:

• Careful with your device (phone, cameras, computers) chargers! Yes indeed, a plugged charger is very energy consuming and moreover, dangerous as it can start a fire.
• Turn the heater down or off if you sleep with open windows or if you leave your windows open while gone
• Avoid leaving the TV or computers on stand by mode. Did you know that 90% of their consumption is in stand by mode?
• Always turn off the lights when leaving the room or the bathroom.  

> Save water:

• Take a shower rather than a bath. It will save five times more water! A shower is 50l of water against 250l for a bath.
• Don’t leave the water running while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing face or hands è that will save 24l per day for each one of these sole actions!
• Towels do not need to be washed every day. Perhaps you can help us by not requiring that your towels be washed every day?

> Recycle:

• sort out your waste and throw it in the referenced bins
  • Plastic bottles, soda cans, paper, magazines, newspapers, cardboards etc. => all those go in the same recycling bin.
  • Glass => you can leave your glass bottles (wine bottles, beer bottles etc) next to your bins. The cleaning staff will collect it for recycling.
  • Batteries => you will find a battery container at reception desk
  • Other waste => greasy papers, food waste, cuetips, plastic etc.
• Use recycled paper on both sides or recycled tissues
• Give back unused medication to the pharmacist 

• Cycle! Paris has very recently developed the Velib project: take a bike in a velib station at point A, go wherever you wish, put it back at another Velib station at point B. It’s easy, cheap (1€ for 24 hours use) and is an original way of discovering Paris! 

www.velib.fr

• Walk! Paris is a fairly small city compared to most important capitals. Many distances can be done by foot and it’s great for sight seeing!

• Public transportation is well developed: Metro, Bus, nightbuses, RER, Tramway or even taxis, you will always find a way to go where you wish!

 www.ratp.fr

> Buy bio / environmental friendly products  -  Watch for ecolabels!
(see below)

Organic farming excludes the use of chemicals, GMO. It enables to test in real life new and environmentally friendly practices in terms of agricultural, which could be developed.

Created in 1991,The NF mark is the French  collective certification mark. It guarantees the quality and safety of the products and services certified. The NF mark guarantees compliance not only with current standards, but also with additional quality criteria that meet consumers' needs.

From organic farming and processing to the finished product all elements of the textile chain meet strict ecological and social requirements. And all of these are being inspected by independent institutions. The bioRe® label established by Swiss enterprise Remei AG.

All products bearing the "Flower" have been checked by independent bodies for complying with strict ecological and performance criteria. The EU Eco-label is also only awarded to products that can be guaranteed to be at least as efficient as conventional products. These environmental criteria will take into account all aspects of a product's life, from its production and use to its eventual disposal (cradle-to-grave approach).

III. What will be done in the future

Sustainable furnishing: furnish, wooden floors/ by checking that they have been labelised Forest Stewardship Council.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) shall promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests.
 www.fsc.org

Environmental friendly guest amenities: soap and shampoo for guests are usually provided in individual packages and have to be thrown away once opened. We would like to offer these items in bulk dispensers. Plus, providing soap and shampoo with herbal, natural ingredients, with no fragrances added, prevents from allergies and skin dryness.

Training our staff: training our staff to our environmental program is as important as developing one.

Guestroom recycling containers: we would like to provide one recycling bin, with the recycling logo on it, that allows paper, newspaper, plastic, and glass recycling.

Participate in green programs: such as joining the Green Hotels Association or the Green Seal

Water Conservation: capturing water for use through water storage or conservation projects mentioned above. And for our outside premises, use plants that don't require much additional water beyond what falls from the sky.

Composting: A biological decomposition of solid organic materials by bacteria, fungi, and other organisms into a soil-like product that can be used to enrich garden soils . This enrichment not only nourishes the soil but also helps increase moisture retention and thus decrease the need for additional watering.

Cotton Towels and Linens: Cotton is a breathable and absorbent fabric, more so than synthetic blends. That makes sheets cooler in the summer and towel more effective in their drying ability. Towels and linens that are a blend of cotton and synthetic fabrics aren't sustainable because of their reliance on petrochemicals. And even better, using organic cotton because of their non-use of petrochemicals!

IV. Related internet links

www.unbureausurlaterre.com
www.ecover.com
www.toutallantvert.com
www.wwf.fr
www.greenhotels.com
www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com
www.msc.org   (The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an independent non-profit organisation that promotes responsible fishing practices.)