51 Buckingham Gate has been dedicated to the 'Green' cause now for many a year, well before it became trendy. The Taj philosophy of community integration and environmental responsibility goes to the core of the activites here in the hotel.

Earlier this year we relaunched our Environmental Policy to bring it up to date and ensure it is relevant to guests and associates. We also set ourselves the aim of reducing our energy and water consumption by 15%, a target that we are on our way to achieving.

Green activities at 51 Buckingham Gate

Green Team

The property has had an active Green team since 2003, including staff from throughout the Hotel, driving forward all types of green and considerate initiatives

Awards and Reviews

In 2004 we won the Considerate Hotelier of the year award from the Considerate Hotelier’s Association
In 2005 we won the Considerate Hotelier of the year award, and the Environmentally friendly Hotel of the year award from the Considerate Hoteliers Association
In 2006 we won the Envirowise Award for Water savings in the Considerate Hoteliers of the Year Awards.
A Carbon Audit was carried out over the whole property by the Carbon Trust in May 2006

Current Processes in place

• There are currently 8 people in the Green Team that meets once a month to discuss green initiatives
• Every one of our 250 associates is responsible to do their bit within their areas.
• Every associate is trained on the hotel’s environmental policy and main procedures at induction when they start working here. That is re-enforced in the ‘Encore’ training, going over the induction training three months after an associate has started.
  
• Quiz’s for the associates:
  • Christmas Quiz
  • Guess the number of re-cycled stamps
  • On the shared drive (on the computer network) there is a green ideas folder where all associates can leave ideas and green initiatives that they think of for the Green team to follow up
• Housekeeping are trained
  • to leave only minimum lights on, if not no lights at all in the rooms and suites
  • they only flush the loos when necessary, they don’t flush just to check if the loo is working
• Engineering are constantly looking at ways to reduce energy consumption
  • Removing nearly 1000 spotlights in the corridors and public areas throughout the property
  • Introducing water harvesting
  • At the end of 2006 they produced a comprehensive document for all associates with energy saving advice on all areas; Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Electrical, Offices, House Keeping, Security, Spa and Health club, Banquets and meeting rooms, Kitchens
  • General energy saving tips including; Lighting, Fan’s, Iron’s, Refrigerators, Etc. etc…
• We recycle the following items
  • Paper, cardboard
  • Glass
  • Batteries
  • Stamps
  • Cooking Oil
  • Printer Cartridges
  • Office workers are provided with recycling bins and fined when they leave their lights on
• Responsible Hazardous waste removal
• Spa at 51 has the following procedures in place
  • Fully organic Sodashi products
  • TV’s in the Gym that only turn on when the linked machine is in use and automatically turns off when the machine is not in use

Plans for 2008

Launch full partnership with Whole Foods in 51 for the Mini Bar, welcome hampers, groceries through Concierge and cooking demonstrations at the store.

EARTH. The Taj Hotels new Environmental initiative rolling out to the whole portfolio of hotels. 51 is due to be part of the Pilot programme running in 2008.

Maintain efficient energy usage levels to the same consumption with a budgeted increase in occupancy

Review staff canteen processes and introduce a full recycling scheme

Green training month in June for all associates

Review current recycling activities for the hotel and see if we can expand recycling to plastic bottles and recycling bins in suite/rooms

Green tip of the month to be circulated to all

Replace Green patrols and Audits with Green Champions from the Green team

Switch over to a fully organic hamper for long stay guests in 51 BG