Sundial Group reduces Carbon Emissions

11 Apr 2008

Having implemented sustainability as a target to measure our business performance, we are delighted to announce a reduction in the amount of Carbon Dioxide released per occupied room for the first quarter.

For the winter quarter December - February 2008, Sundial Group successfully achieved an 8.3% reduction in ‘Carbon Dioxide released per occupied room' (Kg) measured against the same period in 2007.

Green Teams across the group have been working to achieve objectives set last year including reduced consumption and increased efficiency. In order to achieve these goals, the group implemented policies which led to the responsible use of water; by both recycling unused water from meeting rooms and maintaining a linen re-use policy; energy; through the installation of movement sensors on lighting and replacement energy-saving bulbs, and waste; through the increase of recycling facilities to reduce the amount sent to landfill.

Heavy investment across the group has been put into increased recycling facilities to allow for the responsible disposal of waste paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, electrical items, used light fittings, plastic bottles, waste oil, and printer ink cartridges.

Recent purchases to aid these initiatives include a cardboard compactor at Highgate House and lined water butts and a number of hippo bags to reduce waste water on toilet cisterns at Barnett Hill. Having already reduced the amount of waste sent to landfill by 25%, Woodside have now installed a more efficient LPG water heater to save energy in supplying the kitchen, staff room and toilets in the main house and microwave technology sensors into light fittings during the recent refurbishment of the swimming pool area.

Managing Director, Tim Chudley is responsible for overseeing the group-wide initiatives, "Each of our properties occupies a beautiful countryside location, and in order to keep it this way, we need to take responsibility and do our bit. We have a strong belief in the value of respect, not just for people, but for the environment too and sustainability has been high on the agenda for some time. Now, as a measure on our Balanced Scorecard, sustainability has become fundamental to the operation of our business. It is providing an ethical service today that will affect the choices our customers make in the future."