Sustainable excellence and hospitality at the London Heathrow Marriott

London Heathrow Marriott Hotel

Unlike a mere checkbox on a corporate agenda, sustainability is seamlessly integrated into the daily operation of the London Heathrow Marriott Hotel. Associates are introduced to the hotel's multifaceted sustainability initiatives from their very first day during orientation. This foundational knowledge empowers them to actively contribute their ideas and be part of the hotel's sustainability journey.

The hotel's commitment to education extends beyond the associates to encompass valued customers and the local community. This is highlighted in every step of the guest journey, beginning prior to their arrival.

The hotel website takes a prominent stance to showcase the sustainability endeavours, recognising an increased significance of these initiatives for customer decision-making processes when choosing accommodation or an event venue. Prior to arrival, prospective guests can view the website, highlighting all the comprehensive sustainability initiatives. Upon reaching the hotel, visitors are greeted by a captivating video playing in the lobby, dedicated to showcasing sustainable practices. This visual representation is thoughtfully extended to the Conference and Banqueting areas, ensuring that attendees of events and conferences are equally enlightened about the eco-friendly efforts. The hotel’s ethos of 'Meat Free Monday,' initially embraced by associates, has been warmly embraced by conference guests, transforming Mondays into a day of sustainable dining. Inside the hotels’ guest rooms, traditional paper guest directories have been replaced by an innovative e-compendium. Through a QR code, guests gain access to a wealth of information encompassing in-room dining, hotel details, and all sustainability initiatives.

Food waste is a particular area of excellence. To minimise environmental impact, the hotel embraced an innovative "green bucket" method as an alternative to traditional plastic bags for waste collection. Under the guidance of the Executive Chef, the team harnessed the power of culinary creativity to transform food waste into delectable dishes. This not only underscores the commitment to reducing waste but also provides a unique culinary experience. The menu showcases a variety of inventive creations born from food waste, including tantalizing offerings like pineapple juice, banana skin bread, pineapple skin bread, banana skin burger, watermelon skin curry, watermelon tzatziki, butternut squash seed hummus, passion fruit skin jam, and focaccia dry melon skin bread. In the conference area, guest experience is elevated with refreshing infused water made from surplus lemon, cucumber, and pineapple. In a true testament to resourcefulness, we extract value from avocado stones and skins by utilising them to create tea, adding an innovative twist to a traditional beverage. Furthermore, the commitment to sustainability extends to personal care products, with repurposed lemon and orange peels, as well as coffee grounds, to craft luxurious soaps and body scrubs, proudly offered offer as gifts to esteemed VIP customers. The hotel team believe in inspiring awareness and change through visual impact. In the Executive Lounge and public spaces, eye-catching displays crafted from food waste serve as powerful educational tools, highlighting the incredible potential of repurposing any food waste.

Marriott's heightened focus on energy and water conservation is underscored by its ambitious targets. By 2025, the company aims to decrease water intensity by 15% and achieve a minimum of 30% renewable electricity utilization.

The London Heathrow Marriott has emerged as a leader to advance these objectives. Regular meter readings for energy and water consumption are conducted to analyse consumption patterns in detail. Initially taken daily, readings are now done on an hourly basis to gain deeper insights into consumption trends and identify potential areas for savings. To enhance monitoring, an additional 23 meters have been installed throughout the hotel. Electricity consumption has been reduced by an impressive 41% compared to 2022, and water consumption has mirrored this reduction.

This accomplishment can be attributed to the adoption of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technology, which concurrently reduces electricity usage and generates heat for hot water. The hotel's night team conducts regular checks to ensure lights are switched off, and these strategies are discussed in daily stand-up meetings attended by all departments.
A sophisticated Building Management Schedule (BMS) system in conjunction with effective interdepartmental communication has optimised the air conditioning in meeting rooms. The system is programmed based on occupancy, with adjustments made daily to align with business levels. Notably, the installation of 635 modified LED lights in bedroom corridors, reducing wattage from 20 to 2.7 watts, has yielded substantial savings. Motion sensors in guest bedrooms activate air conditioning upon entry and deactivate upon exit, resulting in considerable energy savings of 222,438 kWh in electricity and 836,697 kWh in gas.
Renewable energy sources play a pivotal role in Marriott's sustainability endeavours. A windmill and solar power system have been integrated to power the Marriott LED sign, reducing daily electricity consumption and annual carbon emissions by 12 tonnes. Innovative measures extend to window enhancements, with UV films have been applied to lobby and conference area windows, reflecting up to 86% of solar energy radiation and diminishing heat and light infiltration. This innovation translates to a noteworthy 30% reduction in energy consumption.

The hotel has achieved commendable water savings as well. Toilet flushes in guest bedrooms have been modified from a 9-litre flush to a 4.5-litre flush, effectively curbing water usage. The addition of aerators to bedroom taps has reduced water flow from 12 litres per minute to 6 litres per minute, and shower water restrictors limit flow to 6 litres per minute. Hydrofinity, an energy and water-efficient washing machine, has made a substantial impact by saving the hotel 1.7 million litres of water annually and decreasing water consumption by 81% compared to standard machines. The introduction of a low-energy dishwasher and "Granuldisk," replacing traditional pot wash basins, has led to a reduction in water usage by 91.7%, while also minimising energy and chemical usage.

Sustainability is not just a buzzword at the London Heathrow Marriott Hotel; it is a living, breathing ethos that permeates every facet of hotel operations. Through robust communication channels, training programs, and a collective dedication, the team is nurturing a culture of sustainability that transcends the confines of the hotel and resonates in the daily lives of all associates.