Commitment to the Environment
SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to the environment through various initiatives embraced by the company and at each of the more than 30 hotels across Canada. Shortly after the establishment of the company in 1997, a key value of "safety and respect for the environment" was developed as part of the company's Vision, Mission and Value Statement. An environmental policy quickly followed and in 2000, a formal environmental program was launched. In 2002, SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts became the first hotel management company in Canada to have all its properties certified under the Green Leaf Eco-rating program administered on behalf of the Hotel Association of Canada.
In 2004, SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts has endorsed the Association's launch of a new Eco-rating program and again have all its properties certified. SilverBirch's commitment to the environment is endorsed and embraced by all associates. Environmental decisions are part of the corporate culture and are fundamental to the daily operation of each hotel, from the frontline to the boardroom.
The new Hotel Association of Canada program embraced by SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts is the Green Key ECOmmodation Rating Program. It is based on a graduated rating system for hotels, motels and resorts in order to recognize their level of environmental performance and to help support greater levels of commitment. The program replaces the Green Leaf.
Environmental decisions are part of the corporate culture and are fundamental to the daily operation of each hotel, from the frontline to the boardroom. In 2008, we furthered our commitment by forming a number of Green Teams, which focus on everything from creating responsible vendor partnerships to how each of our hotels can increase our commitment within their local environment. The Hôtel des Seigneurs was a shining example of this local environmental commitment when they planted 1,800 trees to offset the Greenhouse Gas Emissions produced by meeting and events at its property in 2007.
For more information on the Green Key ECOmmodation Rating program, visit www.hotelassociation.ca.