Sustainability
Sustainability
Enjoy stays with added sustainability at The Sandymount Hotel
The Sandymount Hotel in Dublin 4 is incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by some spots of stunning natural beauty. From the flowing River Dodder to the native tree trail through Herbert Park and the invigorating Dublin coastline. It’s all been part of our surroundings since we first opened here in Ballsbridge 70 years ago, but we don’t take a single part of it for granted.
Growing our independent family business within this much-envied environment has instilled in us a deep commitment to protect the beauty that’s right on our doorstep as well as all that lies beyond. We want a greener, cleaner world and this commitment to our planet means making sustainable choices in everything we do.
As a proud partner of Fáilte Ireland and Green Hospitality sustainability initiatives, The Sandymount Hotel actively supports Ireland in achieving its goals for sustainable development, as outlined by the UN’s 2030 Agenda. Our efforts are carefully aligned with Ireland’s national tourism strategy, and we invite our guests to join us in creating this greener future.
A Leading Green Hotel
We’re certainly not a business that’s all talk when it comes to sustainability. The Sandymount Hotel was awarded Europe’s Leading Green Hotel three years in a row at the World Travel Awards as well as Sustainable Family Business of the year in 2021. The recognition the hotel has received for its sustainability practices to date include:
Energia Sustainable Family Business of the Year at the Family Business Awards 2021
Nominated for Ireland’s Leading Green Hotel at the Gold Medal Awards 2021
Europe’s Leading Green Hotel 2019 at the World Travel Awards held in Madeira
Europe’s Leading Green Hotel 2018 at the World Travel Awards held in Athens
Finalist for the Pakman Awards Food Waste Management category in 2018
Europe’s Leading Green Hotel 2017 at the World Travel Awards held in St Petersburg
Pakman Award for Excellence in Waste Management, 2015
Introducing our Green Team
From waste separation in all departments to local clean-up events and supporting Meals on Wheels, our hotel employees take sustainability seriously and are enthusiastically involved in a number of eco-focused programs.
Our dedicated Green Team is made up of passionate staff members from across the business who meet regularly to brainstorm, plan and implement innovative ideas that reduce our environmental impact and promote a greener workplace.
Our Green Initiatives
There are now 5 Electric Car (EV) charging points available for guest use in The Sandymount Hotel’s car park.
The hotel now uses 22% LESS electricity than it did in 2013, largely due to a switch to 100% energy-efficient lightbulbs. Over 95% of our lighting has been upgraded to LED (which use up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs), significantly reducing our energy consumption while maintaining a bright and welcoming atmosphere.
Bedroom electrics are controlled by key cards. The lights aren’t on if nobody’s home.
Hand dryers in public areas are operated by sensors meaning no unnecessary blowing of hot air.
Modifications throughout the hotel – including the installation of aerator shower heads – have reduced water usage per guest by 47%.
Taps and urinals are sensor activated.
Rainwater is harvested on the hotel’s roof for use in the garden, reducing water consumption by 20%.
As part of the waste prevention system, the Loughran family and Green Team members have reduced, reused and recycled. 95% of the hotel’s waste is now recycled.
Dedicated bins are now provided in corridors to make recycling easier for guests and visitors.
We have eliminated single-use toiletries from our guest rooms and replaced them with luxury Rituals® refillable, pump top dispensers.
The hotel uses 100% biodegradable, compostable coffee cups and lids.
Only 100% compostable, eco-friendly straws are used throughout the hotel.
Head Chef Shane Doherty regularly reviews the restaurants’ menus to avoid food waste and takes care not to order, prepare or serve more than is required. The kitchen also has a vacuum packer and cooking oil filter to help cut out unnecessary waste.
The hotel works with eco-mattresses to remove all old mattresses and recycle the various components.
Our smallest members of ‘staff’ can be found in the insect hotel in our lovely garden where the ladybirds on our roses provide us with a natural method of pest control.
The office’s old computers are donated to Camara Education who wipe the hard drives before sending them onto schools and centres in Africa.
We proudly support our local community through ongoing initiatives such as Meals on Wheels, where our team helps deliver warm meals to those who need them most. This is just one of the ways we give back and stay connected to those around us.
Our team regularly participates in clean-up events in the Ballsbridge neighbourhood and along the local Sandymount Strand beach. These efforts help to keep our surroundings clean and enjoyable for everyone, while reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and local pride.
Ways our guests can support our sustainable measures
At The Sandymount Hotel, our valued guests can sleep soundly knowing that we’re doing all we can to make a positive impact on the environment. During your stay you can play an important role in our sustainability journey by following just a few simple steps:
Reuse towels and linens to help us save water and energy.
Recycle using the bins provided in your room or around the hotel.
Finished your holiday reading? Leave your book for someone else to discover and enjoy in our free ‘Wee’ Library and help yourself to your next read.
Choose green transport options like walking, cycling, or using public transport.
At The Sandymount Hotel, we are committed to sustainable growth and responsible purchasing practices. The choices we make as a business have a direct impact on the environment, the local economy, and future generations. Our Green Purchasing Plan & Policy reflects our commitment to sustainability by prioritising:
✔ Local suppliers & services to strengthen the local economy by supporting homegrown Irish businesses.
✔ The sourcing of locally produced goods to reduce carbon footprints.
✔ Ethical businesses whose environmental and social responsibility values align with our own.
✔ Responsibly produced products that are eco-friendly, fair trade, or certified sustainable.
We are proud to work with:
Sysco: https://www.sysco.com/sustainability/corporate-social-responsibility
Nisbets: https://www.nisbets.ie/our-sustainability-policy
BWG Foods: https://www.bwg.ie/sustainability-2/
La Rousse Foods: https://www.laroussefoods.ie/about.html
Corcoran Food Equipment: https://corcorans.ie/divisions/public-sector/
Doyles Veg Prep Ltd: https://www.doylesvegprep.com/about-us
Patisserie Royale: https://royale.ie/content/4-about-us