Green Key Certificate and Sustainable development
Eco label ‘Green Key’
The Green Key Eco Label is an international eco label for hotels and tourism facilities. This global environmental certification is awarded to tourism companies such as hotels, hostels, conference and holiday centres, campsites, holiday homes and leisure facilities. Around 4,000 accommodations located in 65 countries worldwide are certified.
The aim of Green Key is to raise the eco-awareness and consciousness of employees and customers of accommodations around the world to use only sustainable operating methods and technologies and to turn the hotel service offering into an environmentally friendly and responsible business that strives to reduce the use of resources, water and energy and save significant funds.
Acquiring the Green Key Ecolabel requires meeting the requirements of a developed standard of excellence for environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. This prestigious certification certifies the commitment by the business that tourism establishments adhere to the strict management and operational criteria set out in the standard. The total number of criteria is 130, divided into 13 categories and periodically reviewed and updated. Compliance with the criteria is monitored through record keeping and frequent inspections.
‘Green Key’ also means the site’s promise to its guests that once they have chosen it, they will be attracted by their behaviour to protect the environment and contribute to the sustainable development of tourism.
The Green Key standard is introduced by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), is recognised by the World Travel Council and is in line with global sustainable tourism criteria. The Foundation is represented in Bulgaria by the Bulgarian Blue Flag Movement.
The Green Key Criteria contribute directly to efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals – to achieve sustainable economic growth, sustainable consumption and production and sustainable use of resources. Indirectly, the Green Key also helps to address other societal issues, such as social inequality, unemployment, health, etc.
Five Elements Hotel Sustainability Policy
We treat environmental issues with responsibility. We strive to pursue sustainable environmental initiatives that have a lasting impact on the community. We believe that sustainability is directly linked to the tourism industry.
Hotel activities are focused on water and energy conservation, waste management, water conservation, specialized procurement policies, hiring employees from the region, and caring for the region’s cultural assets.
At the Five Elements Hotel, we support guests’ wishes to change towels and bed linen in order to save water, detergents and energy,
– save fresh water through efficient management, strict consumption control;
– Improve energy efficiency through regular inspections, staff training and the implementation of advanced technologies where possible and feasible;
– we use waste hot water for heating;
– avoid the use of any hazardous substances that harm the environment;
– we have ensured safe working conditions;
– We have provided official transport to reduce fuel costs and carbon emissions;
– we have provided jobs to residents of the region;
– we rely on suppliers and subcontractors from the region,
– we work with manufacturers in the region;
– we contribute to the development of the community and infrastructure of the town. Sapareva Banya;
– protect biodiversity – endangered species are not consumed, sold, traded, or displayed. Wild animals are not kept on the territory of the complex;
– we use local species for landscaping and green areas.
By providing concise and reliable information to our guests, suppliers and the community at large, we share our environmental initiatives and follow the path of sustainability.
