Mount Lavinia's Eco-Friendly Policy

Becoming the premier Heritage icon where green is the aim...
We are very pleased at Mount Lavinia Hotel to have been able to take some big steps into becoming a “green business”. We are committed to a policy oriented programme to develop human resources and build up capacities to support the planning and implementation of environmentally sustainable development strategies.
Inherent within our approach is a commitment to raise awareness of the effects of MLH intends not only to be a leader in bridging the gap between the theory and practice of environmental conservation management at the macro and micro levels, but also to lead in addressing environmental issues, in ensuring that personnel are fully aware of these issues and contribute to their resolution and in instilling environmental responsibility as an intrinsic feature of all its practices and procedures. Our intentions lie also to provide the opportunity for all urban stakeholders in participating in developing sound environmental policy that will help us live sustainably.
We have been selecting local suppliers for our food which emphasizes the eco gastronomy initiatives we have taken, staying seasonal, using low energy light fittings in our rooms and low energy bulbs everywhere else. We have appointed five committees to focus on five aspects of conservation; green procurement committee, waste management, energy saving, water consumption control, and community development initiatives. The practices that we have adopted:
Minimize waste by evaluating operations and ensuring they are as efficient as possible.
An eco gastronomy initiative that leaves a smaller environmental footprint while working closely with our own local growers.
Actively promote recycling both internally and amongst our guests and suppliers.
Source and promote a product range to minimize the environmental impact of both production and distribution.
Meet or exceed all the environmental legislation that relates to the company.
Promote good conservation practice and awareness amongst the MLH team.
Promote the continued development of best practices and expertise in conservation disciplines in order to provide knowledge and capacity building related to cultural, social and environmental sustainability.
Take into account the principles of sustainable development in conducting administrative, commercial and social activities.
Participate in local initiatives to improve the quality of the environment and conservation projects.

Switch Off For Earth Hour – March 2010

Green Lavinia – Community Development Committee

• Campaigns- Planting of Trees, in the nearby areas with the group effort of neighbouring schools, such as The Girls High School Mount Lavinia and The Buddhist Girls School in Mount Lavinia.
• Kaduru Project- Kaduru seeds planted at the hotel nursery. Once the plant grows to a certain height they are used as decorations in the guest rooms and public areas. The cost of purchasing flowers from Nuwaraeliya will be a savings. This stops the carbon emission for hotel decorations. Once they grow higher they are removed and planted on river banks to conserve soil erosion.
• "Importance of correct environmental practices" conducted by Mr. Hemantha Rathnayake. ( Guest lecturer and environmental consultant)
• Operating a pre-school for low income families from the fishing community in the neighbouring areas. ( The teachers also from the neighbourhood)
• More than 60% of the staff working at The Mount Lavinia hotel is from the local community.
• Blood donation campaign
• Eye testing campaign
• Distributing trees free of charge to enhance the green initiative. .
• Slow food promotion gives the opportunity for local farmers to take part in these events and address guests directly.

Green Lavinia – Energy Saving Committees

• Monitor energy consumption daily with 2 main meters and 44 sub meters (monitoring 93% of total usage) The aim is to monitor 100% by end of the year.
• All bulbs changed to CFL / LED lamps except those being used with dimmers
• Fix timers and motion sensors for better controls in the Sea & Garden wing and the public areas.
• Fixed Variable speed drives on pumps. It reduced more than 1500Kw Per Day 547500Kw per annum. 8% of total usage (approximately). More VSD units to be fixed during this year.
• Room temperature set point was initially at 22 degrees Celsius presently, the room temperature set point maintained at 24 degrees Celsius.
• Fixed energy saving card switches to all guest rooms in the Sea and Garden wing. Setting upto extend the facility to other rooms.
• Sun light used for the corridors at the Bay wing and the old wing of the Hotel.
• Double glazing glass partitions installed in all guest rooms in the Sea and Garden wing of the hotel. (This reduces the heat load entering the room.)
• Preventive maintenance is on time. This will stop unexpected break downs and save energy and spare parts cost.
• Conduct classes to team members on "How to save energy at their home". The objective is to ensure they practice these lessons everywhere.

Green Lavinia – Water Conservation Measures

• Monitor, energy consumption daily with 2 main meters and 37 sub meters.
• Fix low flow rate filters to all taps.
• Fix low flow rate showers to all guest rooms.
• Dual flush systems installed in 81 guest rooms.
• Fix electronic sensor type valves for urinals.
• Reduce the water quantity by keeping object inside the WC flush tank.
• All guest rooms contain tent cards. (For linen reuse as guest wishes) this programme will reduce the quantity of water, chemical and electricity.
• Collect all condense water from ice machines & A/c units then direct them to fountains.

Green Lavinia – Green Procurement Committee

Completed
Environmentally responsible, sustainable or "green" procurement committee select products and services that minimize environmental impacts and maximize the 4Rs – reduce, recycle, reuse and recovery.

Waste reduction.
If waste is produced, every effort should be made to reuse it.
Recycling should only be considered for waste which cannot be reduced or reused.
Recover materials or energy from waste which cannot be reduced, reused or recycled.

Reuse projects
Compost plant – garden refuse, outlet waste particularly organic are composted in our compound and used for all our gardens.
Bio-degradable pesticides – We manufacture our own biocides by using left over soap from guest rooms and ‘kohomba’ (Margosa or Neem) oil; The oil has a medicinal value. It is used to make herbal oil. The speed is valuable as an insecticide too. The green leaves are insect resistant.
‘Global No-Pesticides Use Day’ – This day was observed on 3rd December 2009 and the use of bio degradable pesticides and organic fertilizer in the Hotel gardens was launched on this date. Media publicity was also given for this event
We have obtained ‘Bio-degradable Certification’ in respect of all chemicals used in Laundry, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage and Kitchen.

Recycling projects
Instructions have been given to the general office staff on the re-use of box files, photocopy paper, used paper and old documents.
Empty jam jars and glass bottles, laundry chemical cans, canisters and flagons are re-sold for re-filling.
Polythene bottles, bags and papers are sold to recycling plant.
Cardboard boxes and containers are re-sold to paper re-cycling plant.

Reduction Projects
Cost saving mechanism - Bulk quantities are purchased as much as possible particularly on Kitchen and Food and Beverage supplies.

Recoveries Projects
Stores helpers and assistants have been trained in the proper use of equipment and chemicals. This is in order to obtain maximum benefit from equipment and chemicals.

In Progress
Change guest amenities to use bio-degradable and eco-friendly products.
Re-cycled paper to be used in guest rooms.

Green Lavinia – Waste Management Committee

• The use of plastic has been reduced.
• Wet garbage sent to live stock farm.
• 100% garden waste is compost.
• All paper waste separated from the place of origin is sent to paper plant for recycling.
• 90% of dry garbage is separated and plastics, glass, metal is sent for reuse and recycling.
• Coconut shells are sent to craft shops.
• Income from selling those items credited to Team member welfare fund.
• Reduce the usage of paper serviette and introduce cloths
• All internal communications on e-mails are subjected for printing if really necessary.
• Reusing programme on A4 papers in all offices.
• We purchase only cleaner products.
• Keep minimum stock on vegetables to reduce spoilage.
• The Mount Lavinia hotel produces their own compost and does not purchase outside fertilizers.
• The Mount Lavinia Hotel does not purchase pesticides and use eco friendly products. We make required pesticides for the Hotel by using Kohomba seeds etc.
• Fruits for the welcome drink served at The Mount Lavinia Hotel are purchased from the local market and its seasonal.

National Tree Planting Day

No Pesticides-Use Day

Global No Pesticides Use Day commemorated by Mount Lavinia Hotel

Since December 3rd has been designated the Global “No Pesticides Use Day” to commemorate what many consider the worst chemical disaster in the history of humankind–Bhopal. The date was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the chemical disaster in Bhopal, India, which occurred 3 December, 1984, and killed hundreds and injured thousands of people. And indeed the day aims to draw attention to the life threatening impacts of chemical pesticides on people and the environment.

Mount Lavinia Hotel’s Green initiatives main mission is to offer tangible ideas to be actively shaping the environment that they live in, and commemorating a day as such is one of their pledges to a better tomorrow.

The General Manager of the hotel states, “We passionately reject the presence of pesticides in our property they are in no way contributing to improving the quality of life of our people.”

To commemorate the day Mount Lavinia Hotel launched their compost manufacturing unit in the property along with the afternoon spent in using biocides on plants which replaces harmful pesticides, weedicides and fungicides in the premises and environment of the property.

Read EarthCheck Article

Christmas Tree at Mount Lavinia Hotel