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| "World
Trade Market award for RIU Hotels" |
14/11/2000 |
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The group wins the
'Environmental
Award' given by the London tourism fair to a firm in each
country
The RIU Hotels group has been given the 'Environmental Company Award' by
the World Trade Market, the London international tourism fair. The prize
is awarded every year to the company in each European country considered
to have practised the best environmental policy.
The award will be handed over in London on Wednesday, November 15th, to
the Riu Hotels environmental policy director, Pep Rullán, during a
ceremony at the fair attended by international experts.
Following the ceremony, four eminent experts in the field of tourism and
environment will take part in a colloquium chaired by the popular BBC
television presenter, John Craven.
Since 1996, the RIU group has carried out systematic environmental
surveys of each of its hotels - currently 89 in ten countries - using a
methodology of its own invention and encouraging continuous
improvements.
In 1997, RIU introduced 'ecological breakfasts' in its hotels,
consisting in serving certain products such as jams, butter or yoghurt
in large containers, avoiding individual packaging. This has meant
saving 5 million plastic packets a year - the equivalent of 5.1 tonnes
of products harmful to the environment.
The chain also applies techniques to save water (spray-watering the
gardens, for example, and 100% purification of used water), has
installed low-consumption lightbulbs, and carries out the selective
collection of oils. The envelopes containing 'welcome packs' placed in
rooms are made from
recycled paper, toilet paper contains no chlorated colourings, linen is
made from ecological materials, photocopier toner is recycled and
harmful gases are avoided in kitchen cold rooms.
RIU also contributes to improving the physical environment of its
establishments, encourages the use of autoctonous plants in its gardens
and carries out campaigns amongst its guests to promote respect for the
environment during their holidays.
Two of the group's hotels in Mallorca, the Riu Bravo and the RIU
Festival, have for the past two years taken part in the 'Ecotour'
programme, designed to introduce environmental management systems. |
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