Hotels go ‘green’ as awards encourage waste management

HOTEL and restaurant goers in Cork city and county will see a new award gracing premises walls, following the Cork Chamber Green Fáilte Initiative.

Firms displaying a gold, silver or bronze Green Fáilte Award Certificate are actively managing their waste effectively and contributing to a more environmentally friendly Ireland.

The awards programme is designed to encourage investment in sustainable management practices within hotels and restaurantsAccording to Maurice Bergin, a member of Cork Chamber Waste Task Force: "The hospitality sector in Cork has embraced the opportunity to play its part in reducing the negative environmental impact by supporting the Green Fáilte Award Scheme in its first year of operation.

"Hotels, guesthouses, bars, restaurants and activity centres have found that they can contribute to a greener Ireland whilst recognising achievement within their business and succeeding in reducing one of the ever rising costs burden," he said.

Approximately 50 hotels, restaurants and bars in the region were trained, audited and judged under Green Fáilte Award programme. The award winners successfully developed a system within their business for segregation of waste streams into those for re-use, recycling and disposal. Working with suppliers to reduce unnecessary packaging, using paper on both sides to reduce paper waste, as well as avoiding products with hazardous properties were all simple tasks which managed to significantly reduce the amount of waste produced on sites.

The Green Fáilte Award winners included Best City Hotel Hayfield Manor Hotel, Best County Hotel, Trident Hotel Kinsale, and Highly Commended County Hotel, The Castle Hotel, Macroom and Highly Commended City Hotel, Jury's Hotel, Cork. Best Green Fáilte Restaurant went to Campbells Catering at EMC, Highly Commended Bar/Restaurant went to Barry's in Douglas, and Trabolgan Holiday Village won the Green Fáilte Best General Activities Award.