Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Green Partnership Program

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1 Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Green Partnership Program In 1884, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts was founded on an enduring connection to the land and communities where we do business. In 1990, we proactively launched our industry-leading Green Partnership program, a comprehensive approach to reducing our impact on the environment. This commitment to minimizing our hotels footprint on the planet is a key component of our operating philosophy, which is formalized in our Environmental Policy. The Green Partnership allows Fairmont to meet and exceed guest expectations of operational sustainability and responsible tourism, because the environment isn t just something that s out there it s where we live, work and play each day. Fairmont s Green Partnership focuses on improvements in the areas of energy and water conservation, waste management, and innovative community outreach programs involving local groups and partnerships please read below for this hotel s initiatives that operate under the Green Partnership program. Leadership Through Innovative Programs Eco-Meet: Fairmont s Eco-Meet program offers planners the opportunity to minimize the ecological footprint of meetings and events through the reduction of waste and conservation of valuable resources. The program can be tailored to the individual needs of the client through four key components Eco-Accommodation, Eco-Cuisine, Eco-Service and Eco-Programming. At The Fairmont Waterfront: 75% of all cleaners used in guestrooms/public spaces are Green Certified. The hotel s kitchen is cleaned using steam or Green Certified products. Metal surfaces are conditioned with Canola oil to reduce the amount of labour and chemicals required to remove the build-up of soils. Meeting planners can request that food leftovers are donated to a local charity such as the food bank or the Union Gospel Mission. Office supplies that are left behind after meetings are used by the hotel rather than discarded. A commitment to purchase the lowest carbon items is followed in an effort to reduce environmental impact.

2 Use of the garden s flora to create the hotel s own signature potpourri rather than sourcing from an outside purveyor. Carbon Management Program: Fairmont has introduced an Energy and Carbon Management Program in support of our Climate Change Strategy, that allows us to monitor, track, and report on our progress toward achieving significant CO 2 reductions at all of our locations worldwide. We also partner with like-minded companies who provide products and services that improve our operational efficiencies. These proactive steps will reduce carbon output and help mitigate the effects of global warming. At The Fairmont Waterfront: HVAC- heat recovery & retrofits. A building automation system that programs the running time of more than 30 air handling units in the hotel. It also actuates air dampers for full free cooling when the condition of the exterior s air is suitable. Heating water temperature set points are programmed to adjust accordingly based on demand and time of day. Seasonal floor closures to reduce the carbon footprint during off seasons. (i.e. lighting, heating and cooling) Green Cuisine: Fairmont is committed to purchasing local, organic, Fair Trade and sustainable food products wherever possible, including utilizing organic or biodynamic wines, local purveyors and on-site herb gardens. At The Fairmont Waterfront: Over sixty varieties of herbs, vegetables, fruits and edible blossoms grown in the hotel s 2,100 square foot herb garden are used in Herons Restaurant and Lounge. In addition to sound absorption, water retention and air purification benefits, Vancouver s first green roof in the heart of the city also serves as a bird sanctuary, making it home to ten species of local songbirds. Green practices include the release of 750 lady bugs into the herb garden to control aphid populations as a natural alternative. Plantings of Purple Vetch in the herb garden replace the need for intensive fertilization and promote maximum nitrogen output for best soil conditions. European and domestic Lupins were planted to create an indigenous bumble bee forage landscape. Five honeybee hives with over 400,000 bees call The Fairmont Waterfront s new harbour garden home each season from May through September. Doubling the green roof space in 2009, The Fairmont Waterfront offers educational programs in conjunction with its beekeeping initiatives to promote the resulting environmental benefits. With the current global issue of colony collapse disorder threatening the continued existence of bees, the initiative is a prime example of the hotel s corporate social responsibility. Installation of a bee fount provides fresh water for the resident bees as well as the local birds and bees and serves as a preventative measure to keep them away from the nearby pool. A fall honey harvest produces an authentically local product for the hotel s culinary and mixology teams. Proud to be an original member of the Vancouver Aquarium s Ocean Wise program, The Fairmont Waterfront offers only sustainable seafood choices in Herons Restaurant and Lounge. All menus have vegetarian options including a special Weekly Fresh Sheet. 20% of all vegetables used in the hotel are supplied by Bovia vegetables and are certified organic. The remainder of the hotel s produce is responsibly grown and locally harvested wherever possible.

3 In partnership with Rodney Strong Vineyards, organic wine options are on offer for restaurant guests. The Fairmont Waterfront uses free-run eggs and offers organic eggs to guests upon request. Behind the chefs at Fairmont is an army of local farmers, fishermen, cheese makers and more, whose passion and dedication ensure guests enjoy the freshest of flavors. Increasingly, not only is it important that items are delicious, but are also sourced, where possible, from purveyors that share Fairmont s commitment to sustainable operations. The secrets to the fresh and earth friendly cuisine found at The Fairmont Waterfront are due to our many local partners. The recently launched Local Source menu is a great example of Executive Chef, Patrick Dore and his apprentices taking the best of the season and creating a 3-course farm to fork experience. Waste Management Paper, packaging and refuse are a reality of our lives, and of any business. Fairmont has consistently cut these side effects of our operations. While effective waste management comes with challenges, such as operating in communities without recycling facilities, we continue to reduce and divert waste and identify other eco-friendly opportunities. Initiatives at The Fairmont Waterfront include: Creation of a Green Chemical Performance evaluation that includes an audit of packaging, processing, manufacturing and overall performance. Incorporation of a Pacific Northwest training manual that inspires green practices alongside hotel standards of excellence. Recycling bins placed throughout the hotel including all guestrooms, meeting rooms, public spaces and employee areas % of monthly guest waste is diverted from going into landfills. Recycling occurs through daily colleague tasks as part of assigned duties in routine cleaning. Special recycling programs for cooking oil, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs and pallets. Extensive food waste composting. Used linens, soaps and paper products are offered to local charitable organizations. Used linens are sold to secondary users who convert to rags. Linen, Towel and Terry Robe Re-use Program - informational card placed in all guestrooms. Eliminating the use of plastic collar lifters and implementing a reuseable bag system for all hotel colleague dry cleaning. Reconditioning and resanitizing of guestroom pillows divert landfill discards. Energy and Water Conservation To conserve energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions, Fairmont has introduced compact fluorescent light bulbs where possible. Most hotels now have water-efficient showerheads and tap aerators, and we continue to replace all toilets that have a flush capacity over 2 gallons (7.6 liters). Guests can do their part by choosing to participate in the towel and sheet exchange program offered at all Fairmont properties. At The Fairmont Waterfront, energy and water conservation projects include: 70% fluorescent bulbs throughout hotel. More than 200 fixtures converted from 4-T12 to 2-T10. Lighting timers in all sink rooms. Occupancy sensors in all laundry chute and linen rooms. Large containers of drinking water available as opposed to individual bottles.

4 Low flowing showerheads, tap aerators and toilet dams installed throughout the hotel to assist in water conservation. Water temperatures automatically adjusted according to demand. Parking lots and sidewalks are swept as opposed to sprayed. Implementing a bio-enzymatic wash system to save 75,000 gallons of water annually resulting in less chemicals dispersed into the city waste water system as well as extending the life of the hotel s terry robes for significant savings. Implementing a bathtub cleaning process that reduces overall water usage by 374,364 litres annually. Implementing a green carpet cleaning system that uses steam or bio-enzymatic cleaners and a multiwash brush machine that eliminates the need for high flow extraction systems saving both water and energy. Construction of an underground watering system for conservation purposes and to supply the ongoing irrigation of the green roof. Communication Strategy The Fairmont Waterfront communicates its environmental leadership initiatives to various stakeholders in the following ways: Clients and Guests Our Catering and Sales teams incorporate a Green Sales Sheet in their presentations to clients. On-site hotel tours include visits to the apiary and the herb and harbour gardens. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Environmental Stewardship brochures are placed in each and every guestroom. Employees The Green Committee provides monthly updates to the hotel s colleagues and continually identifies and shares best practices at the hotel and for home. Media Public Relations efforts communicate and pitch environmental story angles to local, regional, national and international markets who in turn promote the hotel s initiatives to print, electronic and broadcast audiences. Schools Our Resident Beekeeper offers weekly tours to schools to educate children about the life cycle of bees and the important role they play for a sustainable future. The Fairmont Waterfront utilizes its website to promote its sustainable practices with the creation of designated pages. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts website allows both guests and The Fairmont Waterfront to share experiences from authentically local flavours to learning vacations. Economic Benefits and Cost Savings The Fairmont Waterfront s innovative practices clearly provide a windfall of savings from energy conservation to green initiatives. Total savings of over $200,000 per annum make a business case for going green. An annual savings of $140,000 is achieved as a result of longer-lasting, more efficient lighting and equipment. In 2009, 485 lbs. of honey were produced by the resident bees with an estimated savings of $5000. Herbs from the rooftop garden provide savings of approximately $10,000 for the kitchen. Reconditioning and re-sanitizing of the guestroom pillows saved close to $23,000 and eliminated over 2600 discards going to the landfill. A savings of $25,000 is estimated in cleaning supplies due to the use of Green Certified products.

5 Partnerships and Affiliations Our affiliations highlight our commitment to the environment, and also help promote unique Fairmont eco-experiences. The growing number of partners and associations who share our vision include The World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, WWF (Climate Savers Program), The International Tourism Partnership, The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, The United States Environmental Protection Agency (ENERGY STAR program), The Hotel Association of Canada (Green Key Eco-Rating Program) and the National Geographic Society. Local projects are tailored to address environmental issues specific to the hotel s location, and showcase each Fairmont's unique environmental strengths and connection to their community. On a local level, The Fairmont Waterfront s partners include: National Geographic Society British Columbia Hydro Vancouver Aquarium Honeybee Centre Lookout Shelter Union Gospel Mission Second Mile Society EcoTrek Tours Emily Carr School of Art Capilano College The Local Transit Commuter Challenge Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup Awards & Accolades Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Green Partnership Program continues to be recognized by a number of international organizations including the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Ad Age and Strategy magazines. The Fairmont Waterfront has received the following certifications/ratings: 4 Green Key Eco-Rating, Hotel Association of Canada The Fairmont Waterfront has received the following awards: Hotel Association of Canada, Hall of Fame Energy and Environment Award 2006 BC Hydro s First Power Smart Green Hotel 1997 BC Hydro Certified Energy Efficient Leader 2002 Travel + Leisure s Top 500 Hotels, Condé Nast Traveler Gold List, a directory of the World's Best Hotels and Resorts for 9 consecutive years from The Fairmont Waterfront 900 Canada Place Way Vancouver, BC V6C 3L5 Canada TEL judy.ahola@fairmont.com WEB

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