CANADA’S WESTERN MOUNTAIN COLLECTION: LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE HOSPITALITY FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS
BANFF, 25 April 2024 – As Earth Month is celebrated, Fairmont Hotels and The Rimrock Banff in Canada’s Western Mountain Collection proudly reaffirm their ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship through a range of key resort and regional initiatives, including energy conservation, carbon footprint reduction, innovative recycling programs, waste management, support of global forestation projects, and more. These five historic resorts continue to lead the way in practices that help protect and preserve the exceptional destinations they reside in for visitors and guests to experience for generations to come.
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge: Harnessing Sustainable Energy for a Greener Future
Anticipation builds as the resort gears up to unveil its latest endeavour: a state-of-the-art cogeneration plant set to revolutionize its energy landscape. Scheduled for debut later this year, this facility will not only produce energy for the entire property but also ingeniously repurpose excess heat to fuel the hotel’s hot water supply and provide steam for comprehensive heating, ushering in a new era of energy efficiency. This initiative is just one of several large infrastructure upgrades Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is undergoing as part of its ambitious decarbonization strategy. Click here for details on the resort’s sustainability initiatives.
Fairmont Chateau LAKE LOUISE: Tackling Single-Use Glass With a Low Carbon Solution
Alongside The Rimrock Banff, the chateau is pleased to be one of the first two hotels in Canada to partner with ecoSpirits in an effort to positively impact carbon footprint reduction. Tackling single-use glass in the global spirits and wine industry, ecoSpirits’ circular economy technology eliminates most of the packaging waste in the supply chain with its low carbon, low waste packaging system (the world’s first!). These resorts are proud to be contributing to the elimination of single-use glass waste worldwide, and being part of a global initiative that plants tens of thousands of trees and inspires others to change. Guests can sip sustainably with a refreshing G&T in Louiza at the chateau, or a sustainable cocktail in The Rimrock’s Larkspur Lounge. Cheers to a greener tomorrow! For more information on the chateau’s sustainability initiatives, click here.
Fairmont Banff Springs: Recycling Kitchen Oil for a Cleaner Tomorrow
Canada’s Castle in the Rockies is proud to contribute to a greener future while reducing its carbon footprint by partnering with Redux and its innovative program that recycles kitchen oil in an environmentally responsible way. The end product of this safe, clean, and efficient process is used as an ingredient in feed and in biodiesel production. This initiative extends beyond the castle walls and is implemented at sister resorts Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and The Rimrock Banff. Click here for more details on Fairmont Banff Spring’s sustainability commitment.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler: Combatting Food Waste with Innovative Technology
Orbisk, a smart camera connected to a scale, is reshaping the battle against food waste. By simply snapping a photo, Orbisk’s AI technology instantly identifies food waste, empowering the culinary team with valuable insights to help streamline operations and combat waste head on. From tracking trends to optimizing culinary practices, Orbisk is revolutionizing culinary efficiencies and is the ultimate ally against unnecessary waste. This transformative technology is also in place at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Fairmont Banff Springs. For details on additional sustainability initiatives at the chateau, click here.
THE RIMROCK BANFF: Contributing to Global Reforestation Efforts
The Rimrock Banff is proud to be the first hotel in Canada to partner with Hotels for Trees, a program that is contributing to a more sustainable hotel industry and greener planet by supporting global forestation projects. Through this initiative, one new tree is planted each time a guest chooses to skip their daily room clean. The positive impact of this green choice is reflected on the Hotels for Trees’ website the next day. Since implementation at the resort in March of this year, over 400 trees have been planted. Click here for more information on The Rimrock Banff’s sustainability efforts.
“We are incredibly proud of the legacy in sustainable hospitality our region has cultivated over the past three decades”, said Patrick Jones, Regional Director of Sustainability for Canada’s Western Mountain Collection. “As guardians of these mountain landscapes, we are steadfast in our pursuit of de-carbonization across the entire region – and with investment support by our ownership group, we are forging the path towards a greener future.”
Notable additional regional initiatives include the implementation of a centralized Gaia 2.0 Reporting Platform for utilities, general water, food waste, and ESG questions, which simplifies the resorts’ tracking, reporting, and reduction process. Concurrently, ongoing efforts to reduce plastic waste have successfully eliminated 57 different single-use items across all properties, reinforcing a dedication to a plastic-free environment. The Rimrock Banff and Fairmont Banff Springs are also proud partners of “Banff Borrows”, a reusable cup program aimed at reducing single-use waste. Furthermore, participation in the Green Circle Salon program at Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge exemplify environmental responsibility, diverting spa and salon waste from landfills through innovative recycling practices.
These combined endeavours solidify the region’s pledge to sustainability, marking significant strides in a three-decade legacy of environmental stewardship. Celebrate Earth Day every day by experiencing the beauty of Canada’s western mountain region while supporting sustainable practices at Fairmont Hotels and The Rimrock Banff.
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Media Notes: High resolution images available HERE.
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About Fairmont
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where the intimate equally coexists with the infinite – an unrivaled portfolio of more than 90 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. Since 1907, Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – places such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,400 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL – Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.
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About Accor
Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5,400 properties, 10,000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry’s most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit www.group.accor.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
Fairmont Media Contact:
Anastasia Martin-Stilwell
Regional Director of Public Relations
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts + Rimrock Resort Hotel, Canada’s Western Mountain Collection
Anastasia.Martin-Stilwell@Fairmont.com
Patrick Jones
Regional Director of Sustainability
Patrick.Jones@fairmont.com
Proudly representing Canada’s Western Mountain Collection – Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, The Rimrock Banff