SGS : Hong Kong’s First Successful Green Key Hotel Audit Conducted by SGS

Green Key International has announced that The Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers has been recognized as the first Green Key hotel in the Hong Kong and China region, following an audit process conducted by SGS.

A prestigious recognition of the hotel's green credentials and sustainability awareness, especially in the hospitality sector, Green Key demands its certification is only awarded to those organizations demonstrating the highest environmental management standards.

'We are impressed with the sustainability work The Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers has demonstrated through the well prepared application material, and the onsite audit performed by SGS Hong Kong Limited. We would like to extend a warm welcome to the hotel as the first Green Key hotel in China (Hong Kong),' says Finn Bolding Thomsen, Green Key International Director.

SGS, which conducted the certification audit, is the only recognized audit partner for Green Key in areas without their own Green Key National Operators. This remit includes China, Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore, among others. SGS conducted an extensive on-site audit to assess The Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers' performance against Green Key's requirements. The company witnessed how the hotel achieves international levels of sustainability, and its belief in setting a good example of creating a positive influence for the earth, as well as influencing the wider hospitality industry.

To fulfil Green Key's requirements, The Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers has a range of environmental strategies that cover a wide range of criteria, from environmental demands to action plans, sustainability education and communication. The hotel has demonstrated outstanding performance in the following areas:

1. Strategic environmental management:

   Aligned with the Sino Hotels' Group Sustainability Policy, the hotel has its own Sustainability Team, which reviews the green hospitality practices and improves its environmental performance on a continuous basis.

2. Excellent performance in energy conservation and efficiency:

   The hotel installed high-efficiency energy lighting and appliances (e.g. LED lighting, induction cookers, heat pump system), water control systems and a key card system throughout the hotel.

3. Leadership in waste management:

   The hotel is pioneering the Food Wise Program and Hotel Amenities Recycling Program in Hong Kong, donating surplus food and unused amenities (e.g. soap bars) to local charities and food banks on a weekly basis.

4. Strong commitment to sustainability:

   Shark's fin has been banned on all menus since 2012, and the hotel adheres to the local Sustainable Seafood Guide issued by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Hong Kong to protect marine biodiversity.

5. Proactive community involvement:

   For five consecutive years volunteers from the hotel have joined with a local student group to design themed 'Green Christmas decorations' made from up-cycled materials, conveying the message of sustainable resources to the public.

6. Working hand-in-hand with guests to build a better world:

   Guests staying more than one night are encouraged to participate in the hotel's linen reuse program, reducing water consumption while minimizing the impact of chemicals on planet earth.

7. Continual green education:

   The hotel cultivates a sustainable and collaborative green culture in its working environment, enabling staff to put green practice into their daily lives via regular training, green reminders and staff activities.

During the audit, SGS identified not only strong support from senior management, but also that staff across the business placed sustainability at the heart of their activities. It is believed that The Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers will continue to embrace environmental protection and corporate social responsibility within its operations and will dedicate energies towards promoting sustainability development with its stakeholders.

The Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers has been recognized as the first Green Key hotel in Hong Kong and China, a prestigious recognition in green and sustainability awareness.

The accolade of being the first hotel awarded the Green Key certificate in China (Hong Kong) goes to all staff in the Hotel, who always put green practices at the forefront of their work and daily lives.

The hotel established an employee-led taskforce to regularly review food waste management in 2012. The team makes ongoing recommendations to minimize food waste in the areas of food production, processing and final disposal.

With the guests' support, the hotel has successfully implemented a 'Towel & Linen Green Program' which encourages guests to change bed linen only every two days and towels only upon request. Operating since 2014 the program reduces water consumption and chemical use.

To promote recycling to the next generation, volunteers from the hotel join local students to develop some creative Christmas decorations made of up-cycled materials.

Green Key Contact:

Ms Zonta Yung
SGS Hong Kong Limited
t: (852) 3543 7997 / (852) 9839 0262

About Green Key Award

The Green Key award is a leading standard of excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. This prestigious eco-label represents a commitment by businesses that their tourism establishments adhere to the strict criteria as stipulated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). A Green Key stands for an establishment's promise to its guests that by opting to stay with such an establishment, they are helping to make a difference on an environmental and sustainability level. The high environmental standards expected of these establishments are maintained through rigorous documentation and frequent audits.

Since its launch in 1994, Green Key has been presented to more than 2,400 tourism businesses in over 50 countries. All hotels awarded the Green Key certification met the highest requirements related to environmental management and are audited based on their technical criteria related to maintenance and guest communications.

About The Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers & Sino Hotels

Located on Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, the Royal Pacific Hotel and Towers provides high-quality accommodation, food & beverage, and other hospitality services. The hotel provides an enticing array of dining options, including Café on the PARK which serves all day buffets with global flavours, the award-winning Satay Inn which provides authentic Singaporean cuisine, the sleek and chic Pierside Bar & Restaurant known for its contemporary Australian fare, and PARK Deli which offers a tempting array of freshly-baked pastries. Other facilities include 8 function spaces to suit the needs of business and leisure travellers.

About Sino Hotels

Established in 1994, Sino Hotels is the hospitality management arm of Sino Group and an affiliate of Sino Land Company Limited (HKSE: 083). Its growing portfolio encompasses The Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers, City Garden Hotel, Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel, Island Pacific Hotel, The Pottinger Hong Kong, The Olympian Hong Kong and the Gold Coast Yacht & Country Club. While each property on its portfolio offers a unique guest experience, all hotels embrace the common value of providing the best possible services and facilities. A trusted brand in the hospitality industry, the hotels and yacht club cater to both business and leisure travellers while celebrating the local communities.

About SGS

SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. With more than 85,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,800 offices and laboratories around the world. SGS reached a cooperation agreement with Green Key that recognizes SGS to conduct audit for the hotels in the areas without Green Key National Operators.