The Castlemartyr Resort Environmental Management Policy

The 1997 Kyoto International Agreement set out targets for the main industrially developed countries to reduce the levels of greenhouse gas emissions to combat the global effects of ‘man-made’ climate change. At the Castlemartyr Resort we embrace those efforts, and as part of our business philosophy we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint through our green objectives. Tourism has an impact on the environment in many ways, including resource use, waste generation, aesthetics, and impact on natural habitats. Together with your help, and our environmental strategy, we aim to reduce this impact on the environment, and protect it for future generations. .

Overview of Strategy and Action Plan

An environmental team was formed in July 2009 to help incorporate environmental management into our everyday business operations.

The Green Hospitality Awards backed by Fáilte Ireland, for environmental management in the hospitality sector, was identified as providing a framework conducive to implementing an environmental management system in the Hotel.

The main focus of the Environmental Management Policy is to:
Achieve strong environmental working practices across the Resort;
Comply fully with all relevant legislation;
Divert waste materials produced by our business away from landfill, through recycling, reuse and recovery;
Invite guests, suppliers, contractors and employees to participate in our green mission;
Reduce unnecessary energy and water consumption;
Provide all employees with the training and resources to meet our environmental objectives;
Openly communicate to interested stakeholders our environmental impacts and evaluate our performance in line with policies,
objectives and targets.

Our Programme for Change

Electricity
Reducing our carbon footprint is foremost in our programme for change. The production of electricity generates a significant proportion of Ireland’s green house gas emissions and by focusing on our supply and consumption of electricity we have been able to reduce our own carbon footprint. Our electricity is sourced from a supplier that has an environmental impact of 488.10g of CO² emissions per kWh, this is 12% lower than the average for Ireland of 549.1g per kWh. In June 2009 we started to install energy efficient lighting, throughout the Resort, and this is an on-going process. Annually, our objective is to reduce energy costs by 10%.


Waste
Significant resources are consumed in running any business and this has a triple environmental impact from the depletion of natural resources, energy use in processing of raw materials, and landfill gas emissions from uncontrolled waste disposal.

Our aim is to reduce the volume of waste we send to landfill by 10% annually, through improved recycling practices, and a reduction of packaging entering the hotel.  Glass, cans, plastics, paper, hazardous waste and cardboard are segregated and collected for recycling.


Water
Changing attitudes towards the efficient use of water is an important environmental issue especially in the context of global warming.   Our objective is to better measure our consumption so that we can reduce unnecessary usage by 5% annually.  We are fortunate that here on the Estate we have a spring well that is used to water the Golf Course when rainfall is low.


Social, Ethical and Environmental Procurement
Local and Irish suppliers are used where possible to provide food and products used throughout the Hotel.

The ethics employed in the kitchen has always been the same, use only the best ingredients, and wherever possible use local produce.   We are fortunate that in East Cork we are surrounded by an array of producers producing the freshest and best local meat, fish, cheeses, fruit and vegetables, much of which is organic.

Only eco-friendly cleaning products are used throughout the hotel

Your Visit to the Castlemartyr Resort

The Castlemartyr Estate is a property of great historical significance; its lands were once owned by Sir Walter Raleigh and were passed to the 1st Earl of Cork, when Raleigh fell from grace. Henry Boyle, Earl of Shannon, a speaker of the Irish House of Commons from 1733 to 1764 and a supporter of Catholic emancipation, built the eastern portion of the manor house. This beautiful Estate of 220 acres of mature parkland, with streams and a delightful lake abundant with wildlife, is the backdrop to the refurbished and painstakingly restored 18th Century Manor House. The original entrance is once again the heart of the Estate as it forms the entrance to the recently extended Hotel, Spa and the 18 Hole inland links-style Golf Course. Your comfort and well being whilst you are staying at the Castlemartyr Resort is our top priority. However, we would be delighted if you would like to contribute your efforts to help us with our environmental objectives by your awareness of the energies and materials used in your bedroom and bathroom.