At The Ardilaun we have high standards of energy efficiency. We have implemented many strategies to reduce our energy consumption. We commit to measuring our energy consumption every month and aim to reduce it by 10% over the next 12 months.

• Our electricity provider is certified as suppling 100% renewable energy to businesses.
• The entire hotel operates on LED lighting, which use 75% less energy and last 25% longer than incandescent lighting.
• Inside the guest rooms, the 'I'm choosing to be green' sign encourages guests to limit requests for room servicing to only when necessary, thereby reducing the frequency of washes and conserving energy.
• We have electric vehicle car charging points for our guests to use.
• We incorporated energy saving thermostats and energy efficient heating/cooling systems to reduce unnecessary energy usage throughout the whole hotel.

At The Ardilaun Hotel, we understand the critical role that water plays in preserving our natural environment. As part of our sustainability policy, we are committed to responsible water management practices that minimize our impact on the environment and promote efficient water usage throughout our operations. We commit to measuring our water consumption every month and aim to reduce it by 10% over the next 12 months.

Some of the actions we have taken include:

• Water efficient taps and toilets installed in all bedrooms and public areas.
• Inside the guest rooms, the 'I'm choosing to be green' sign encourages guests to limit requests for room servicing to only, when necessary, thereby reducing the frequency of washes and conserving water.
• 40% of the hotel’s showerheads are fitted with an aerator to save water.
• All toilets have a dual flush option.
• Timely leak detection.

The Ardilaun Hotel recognize the critical importance of preserving and enhancing biodiversity within our local ecosystem. As part of our commitment to sustainable practices we are members of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021-2025. The aim is to create a landscape where pollinators can survive and thrive, with implementation coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre. We have also partnered with Connemara Honey to support pollinator populations, particularly honeybees, by integrating beehives on our premises. Inside the hives are the Native Black Bee which are currently under threat due to the importation of non-native honeybees, along with habitat loss and pesticide use.

Bees play a crucial role in pollination, facilitating the reproduction of flowering plants. Increased pollination attracts other insects, birds, and wildlife and can lead to the growth of diverse plant species, ultimately enhancing biodiversity in the surrounding area. In addition to our beekeeping efforts, we have also installed bird boxes and bat boxes, providing safe and suitable habitats for these creatures to thrive. 

In our garden, a variety of native plants and trees flourish, such as Hawthorn flowers, Foxgloves, Bluebells and Daisies. Among our native tree species are Holly, Birch, and Weeping Willow. Additionally, we maintain a herb patch featuring a variety of herbs, including but not limited to Parsley, Basil, Sage, and Rosemary.

We understand that responsible waste management is essential for preserving natural resources, reducing pollution, and contributing to a more sustainable future. Over the next 12 months, we commit to measuring our waste monthly and aim to achieve a 10% reduction in our general waste and a 10% reduction in our food waste. Therefore, we have implemented the following initiatives as part of our comprehensive sustainability policy:

• We have removed plastic water bottles from the hotel bedrooms. By the end of 2024 this will save approximately 30,000 bottles from going to landfill.
• We have replaced our plastic key cards with wooden keycards, significantly reducing our plastic waste.
• All take away cups and lids are compostable.
• Cardboard packaging, glass, cans, used light bulbs and batteries are all collected for recycling or returned to suppliers.
• Paper usage within the hotel is continually monitored in our efforts to reduce and reuse.
• We are aiming to become completely single use plastic free and have already made efforts by reducing plastic water bottles and have a chilled, filtered water machine with reusable glass bottles for meetings/events/dining.
• Miniature toiletry bottles have been replaced with larger luxury refillable dispensers. This action alone reduced our single use plastic by a whooping 100,000 bottles per annum.
• We are proud members of Repak, which is an environmental not-for-profit organization, who run initiatives and campaigns to help improve the sustainability of businesses across Ireland.

We hope these actions are leading to a better future with more sustainable hotels.

We are aware of the urgent need to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions. As part of our commitment to sustainability, we are minimizing our carbon footprint and mitigating the impact of our operations on the environment. Our efforts to reduce our energy, water and waste consumption will reduce our carbon footprint.

To enhance the convenience of our guests when visiting local attractions, we recommend utilizing the nearby bus stop and taking advantage of the frequent buses, which operate every 30 minutes. Opting for public transport not only ensures easy access but also promotes sustainable travel practices. Furthermore, the installed car charging points for electric vehicles actively promote and welcome guests who choose to travel to and from our hotel in electric cars.

We commit to continuously working on reducing our carbon footprint and signing up to a carbon offset scheme in the next 12 months.

At The Ardilaun we know that your confidence in us is also confidence in our suppliers, so we have ensured that our responsible purchasing policy includes organic, Irish sourced food and beverages, many vegetarian and vegan options, and eco-friendly materials. Dairy products come from the dairy capital of Ireland, County Cork. Both Bandon Vale and North Cork Creameries provide the hotel with dairy products and are both BRC rated, guaranteeing the standardisation of quality, safety and operational principles. 

Our supplier of high-quality meat, Williams Gate is a member of Origin Green through Bord Bia's Sustainability and Quality Assurance Schemes. Origin Green is a national food and drink sustainability programme. All animal meat provided to us comes from farms located in Ireland. Our ham is sourced from a local farm, Moycullen Meats, located 13km from the hotel. Beef is sourced from Kepak farm in Longford, while pork and bacon are supplied from Manor Farm. Williams Gate is located 5 km from the hotel where they employ local butchers.

At The Ardilaun Hotel we are not only committed to sustainable practices but also believe in transparent communication and responsible marketing. We want our guests to be fully informed about our sustainability efforts and inspire them to make conscious choices during their stay.

• We provide informative materials in guest rooms, such as brochures and signage, explaining our sustainability initiatives and encouraging guests to participate.
• Any printed marketing material is printed with sustainability in mind. We use eco-friendly ink and FSC paper. We have cut down on paper usage significantly by sharing internal information digitally.
• We encourage guests to reuse towels and linens, conserve water, and reduce energy consumption during their stay. 

By highlighting these actions as contributions towards a sustainable future, we inspire our guests to be mindful of their impact on the environment.

We recognize the importance of actively supporting and engaging with the local communities in which we operate.  We already support many local clubs and organizations and will continue to do so in the future.

• We collaborate with local farmers, artisans and businesses to source products and services. This supports the local economy, promotes entrepreneurship, and showcases the unique offerings of the community to guests.
• Partnered with the National Breast Cancer Research Institute of Ireland (NBCRI) for the past 10 years. The hotel organizes events with all proceeds go to NCBRI.
• Sponsor many local sporting teams such as Galwegians Rugby Club, Galway GAA, Salthill Devon Football, and Carnmore Camogie.
• Support non-profit organisations such as the Salthill rotary and Galway Lions.

• We are currently working on a project that will see 12% of our annual energy being produced by Solar Panels. The project is set to be completed by the end Summer 2024.

• As we already send excess food for composting, we are looking into setting up our own composting area at the hotel.

•  In our efforts to reduce waste, we will be joining the 'Too Good to Go' app, enabling us to sell any remaining food to customers and minimize surplus.

• By the end of Summer 2024 we commit to increasing our number of beehives from 8 to 10.

We have been making every effort to improve our sustainability at The Ardilaun Hotel in Galway, and we hope these efforts will improve your experience with us. We will continue working towards being more sustainable and commit to reviewing our policy annually.

We are always open to new ideas, and we welcome any suggestions that will help reduce our carbon footprint and ensure The Ardilaun maintains the highest sustainability standards.

Signed 24th June 2024

Christina Hanley

Sustainability Coordinator

Conor Flynn

General Manager