Water
Water consumption has quadrupled in 50 years
With its extensive hotel network, Accor works every day to find sustainable methods to manage water use. The goal is to use the fewest resources possible through more rational consumption and innovative reutilization technologies.
Up to 90% of waste water is not treated in developing countries
The discharge of untreated effluents into the natural environment has a direct effect on water potability, making several million people ill every year. Accor is working to ensure compliance with rigorous sanitary standards in its hotels.
Accor 2010 objectives
1 - Owned hotels consume 10% less water per room rented than in 2006
2008 yearend indicator: 0,6% less water consumption
2 - 100% of owned hotels are equipped with flow regulators
2008 yearend indicator: 87% of subsidiary hotels are equipped
Achievements
- In its Hotels Environment Charter, Accor recommends 10 measures to reduce water consumption and 4 others for the treatment of waste water.
- The installation of flow regulators in 2,300 Group hotels has saved nearly 4 million cubic meters of water over one year.
- Most of the Accor hotels suggest to their guests to reuse their bath towel to prevent wasting water. Since 2008, this practice has taken on a new dimension with the Plant for the Planet project.
- The Novotel Bangkok On Siam Square has its own waste water treatment plant in the building basement.
- In the United Kingdom, the Etap Hotel Birmingham City Centre installed in 2007 a rain water recovery system, which saves the hotel up to 780m3 of water a year.
- In Germany, the ibis Koblenz installed a waste water treatment and recovery system in 2008. The water is then reused in the toilets.
- Hotels have signed partnerships with environmentally innovative laundries, which operate on ozone for example (United States) or use a patented detergent-free cold water system (Greece, France).
- In France, the ibis Ménimur installed a 10,000 liter tank in 2008 to recover rain water. The water is then used for landscaping, or even to wash guest cars. A total of about one hundred Accor hotels have already installed this system.
- A guide to good laundry practices is currently being deployed. This guide, given to the purchasing departments in each country, allows them to select the most exemplary service providers on an environmental and social level.