Responsible Business - Let's Take Responsibility

Taking responsibility for the environment and local community has been an important part of the broader commitment of the Rezidor Hotel Group to sustainable development for many years. In 2001, this commitment was fortified and placed within the scope of a programme called Responsible Business (RB). Each hotel has a unique RB Action Plan covering areas such as community outreach, environmental improvement, employee well-being and health and safety. To read more about the RB programme, please visit www.responsiblebusiness.rezidor.com

The hotels are engaged with both local charity groups and the corporate international charity organisation recognised by the Rezidor Hotel Group, the World Childhood Foundation. The mission of Childhood is to defend the rights of the child and to promote better living conditions for vulnerable and exploited children at risk all over the world.

Responsible Business activities:

Green Leaf accredited and audited

Community involvement / charities:

• The Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, Sandton works closely with the Ikhaya Lothando Home for boys, which is situated in a local community in Tembisa
• The hotel organises several actions for the benefit of community spirit

Waste generation control:

• Reduce - Hotel suppliers are asked to decrease the amount of packaging in their deliveries
• Reuse - Furniture, bedding and equipment are donated to charity groups
• Recycle - Paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, metal cans, oil, printer cartridges, batteries and metal hangers are recycled

Energy efficiency

• The hotel uses energy-efficient light bulbs
• Elevators work with counter weight to reduce energy consumption
• General switch off/on for lighting in the room

Security

• Formula TRIC: threat assessment, risk evaluation, incident response
• Crisis management and communication
• Staff is trained in first aid and Heart Start defibrillator
• Chief of Safety & Security managers on duty and regular security trainings

Other achievements:

• Once a year, the hotel staff plants trees
• Responsible Business is included in all job descriptions

How guests can help:

• Put used batteries in one of the hotel's battery boxes
• Reuse towels
• Save energy by switching off any appliances when they are not in use
• Donate unwanted items like toiletries, towels and clothes; simply leave them for the housekeeping staff or drop them off at the reception
• Offset stay as a Club Carlson member and help environmental projects in cooperation with a carbon-free company

Why Responsible Business is important:
Preserving the environment has become more important as more species of plants and animals become endangered or extinct. Half of the world's population lives on less than 2 USD per day, and by 2025, it is expected that food production will have to double to be able to feed the growing population. Companies like the Rezidor Hotel Group have the resources to make a change.