EPA-backed initiative leads to eco-savings for ‘green’ hotels

THE Environmental Protection Agency yesterday said the Greener Irish Hotels initiative involving 56 Irish hotels has resulted in the diversion of thousands of tonnes of waste to landfill and also reduced carbon dioxide output drastically.

Developed by the Irish Hospitality Institute Greener Irish Hotels was one of a number of initiatives part-funded between 2005 and 2007 under phase two of the EPA’s Cleaner Greener Production Programme.

More than 3,000 employees were given training and by the end of 2006, the 56 hotels in 20 countries had diverted 1,113 tonnes of waste from landfill, reduced CO2 output by 3,000 tonnes and cut water consumption by 5,000 tonnes.