The three pillars that form our sustainability strategy are simply:
- Supporting development of intelligent buildings
- Promoting sustainable operations
- Taking care of our people
1. SUPPORTING DEVELOPMENT OF INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS
At YOTEL, we are about innovative, flexible and smart design. Using this philosophy, we design hotels to fit up to 50% more rooms on a single site than the average hotel, thus we endeavour to conserve resources and develop spaces efficiently and sustainably. We strive to design hotels in order to keep waste and maintenance as low as practically possible and choose quality materials that will stand the test of time, not needing replacement every couple of years.
2. PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS
We strive to implement energy systems to keep our carbon footprint as low as possible. A few ways in which we save energy where we can; water flow measures include the use of showerheads, and taps that are 45% more efficient, cabins that are installed with low energy LED lighting and occupancy sensors for heating, lighting and cooling systems. To combat energy wastage during laundry, we don’t change linen daily, we only change towels if they’re discarded and we’ve developed a programme to give back. We’re offering $5/ €5/ £5 dining or drinks credit for each day guests decline our housekeeping service.
We don’t use single use mini bottles of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body lotion in any of our guest rooms. Instead, our cabin amenity range, Urban Jungle, is dispensed via pump action bottles. These large bottles get topped up by our cabin crew in between stays. When the bottles do have to be replaced due to wear and tear, they’re fully recyclable.
We strive to recycle all decomposable and reusable materials across our hotels and offices. We only provide guests with pens made from recycled paper and have a minimal paper policy, opting to give guests everything they need to know digitally. The majority of our restaurant menus are available online and food and drink packaging tend to be either recyclable or compostable.
To ensure we have a positive impact on our environment, both locally and globally, we proudly practice the following YOTEL environmental initiatives. We encourage our guests and crew to use reusable water bottles and top up with complimentary purified water at our Galley stations or in Komyuniti. We communicate with guests through technology, rather than on paper. We automate check-in and check-out, discouraging the need for printed invoices.
3. TAKING CARE OF OUR PEOPLE
YOTEL strives to do the right thing for our crew, we positively promote a culture that’s fits with our mission, vision and values and continually challenge the status quo. We have various initiatives in place to facilitate growth and development, including YOLEARN our training platform and Jostle our internal communication intranet. Both are accessible digitally so our global crew can access training modules, celebrate achievements and share updates.
Annually we conduct an employee opinion survey, encouraging all of our crew to take part. We share the results (whatever the outcome) and work hard to address any suggestions, ideas or concerns. To combat communication gaps globally, we host a quarterly Global Townhall with a virtual update from our CEO and leadership team. Questions are actively encouraged and feedback shared.
Across the globe YOTEL supports a myriad of local community initiatives, we encourage our General Managers and crew to support causes they feel an affinity with and are close to their hearts and their hotels.
Our team in Miami have a close partnership with Camillus House a local homeless shelter and take part in the clean up of Biscayne Bay. In Scotland, our Edinburgh and Glasgow hotels support Beatson Rewards, a membership rewards programme that supports their partnership with a cancer charity. In Boston a percentage of all our food and drink revenue is donated to the Greater Boston foodbank and in London we are delighted to partner with The Hotel School, a charity that supports homeless and vulnerable people getting back into work.