Sustainability
At The Grand, York, we are proud to hold a Bronze accreditation from Green Tourism, the UK’s leading independent sustainability certification programme for the tourism and hospitality sector.
This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to operating responsibly while delivering the exceptional five-star experience our guests expect. Sustainability is an important part of our vision for the future, and we continue to take meaningful steps to reduce our environmental impact, support our local community, and promote responsible tourism.
SUSTAINABILITY AT THE GRAND
An integral part of our business focuses around our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment.
Our objectives are monitored and reviewed regularly to drive continuous improvement. Team members are responsible for complying with the policy and are encouraged to suggest improvements. We are proud to have a dedicated cross-departmental team who focus on sustainability and social initiatives.
SMALL CHANGES, BIG IMPACT
The Grand has partnered with Preferred Hotels and Resorts on their Green initiatives to help secure a greener future for all.
In addition to this, our York BID membership ensures that we are supporting their important work, creating a cleaner and greener City of York.
We are proud to be a member of Green Tourism and have received a Bronze accreditation.
THE BEES
We actively support biodiversity locally and beyond. Since 2019, the beehives on our rooftop have contributed to pollination while producing honey used across the hotel, from Legacy to The Rise, and in partnership with Masons for our honey gin.
Our hives are also twinned with those in Kome Island through the Bees Abroad Project, supporting women to build sustainable livelihoods through beekeeping. Alongside this, we support York Walls in Bloom, helping to enhance green spaces within our community. We are committed to continuing to develop initiatives that protect and support biodiversity as part of our wider sustainability journey.
GRAND BICYCLES
We have worked alongside lifestyle brand Velosophy to purchase three bicycles available for guest hire. Velosophy use recycled aluminium for their products and promote a “one for one” strategy where each bike purchased provides a bike to a schoolgirl in a developing country to support educational opportunities.
‘Giving a girl a bicycle will increase her presence in school by close to 30% and her results by as much as 60%.’ – World Bicycle Relief
IN THE BEDROOMS
We have replaced plastic room keys, light cards and door hangers in our guest bedrooms with sustainable wooden alternatives. Our supplier partners with Ecologi and the Eden Project, planting trees with every order placed to help offset environmental impact beyond the hotel.
We actively communicate our sustainability initiatives to guests and encourage responsible choices during their stay. Guests can opt into our towel reuse programme to reduce water consumption, as well as opt out of daily room cleaning to help lower overall energy use while maintaining comfort and flexibility.
IN ROOM AMENITIES
Our Molton Brown in-room amenities have been switched from single use plastic bottles to wall-mounted refillable bottles saving almost 300,000 plastic bottles annually. Our other amenities such as vanity kits are also single use plastic free.
We have changed our packaging for our in room biscuits to a biodegradable material to reduce single use plastic. Guest slippers are no longer individually wrapped saving 24,000 pieces of plastic annually. We recycle our in room coffee pods directly through Nespresso saving 52,000 pods going to land fill annually.
SUBROSA SPA
At SubRosa Spa, we deliver a restorative experience while minimising environmental impact. We work with partners including Elemis, MarocMaroc and Seabody, selecting brands aligned with our values around quality and responsible sourcing.
Sustainability is considered throughout the spa’s design and operation, including energy-efficient LED lighting, water-saving showerheads, and plant systems connected to our Building Management System to optimise energy use. Robes are provided in guest bedrooms to reduce laundry, while 90% of building materials were sourced within the UK and original features of the Grade II listed building have been preserved where possible.
IN THE KITCHEN
Our kitchen team source suppliers who are as sustainable as possible, conscious of their air and land miles and who can support our seasonal menus.
Additionally, used cooking oil is regularly collected and recycled and kitchen food waste is diverted to local Yorkshire farms to use on their land.
The Cookery School at The Grand is 99% free of single use plastics. We are continuing to look at alternate products to replace plastic cling film.
LIGHTING
We have undertaken a comprehensive programme across the hotel to upgrade our lighting to long-life, energy-efficient LED technology, significantly reducing our overall energy consumption.
In our back-of-house areas, sensor-controlled lighting has been installed to ensure lights are only in use when spaces are occupied, further minimising unnecessary energy use.
These improvements not only lower our environmental impact but also support a more efficient and responsible approach to managing energy.
DRIP DROP
We combat single-use waste by providing guests with automated Drip Drop umbrella rentals. Built for durability, these storm-proof umbrellas are crafted from recycled plastic (rPET) and built with modular parts made to be repaired and reused.
Through Dripdrop’s global initiatives, each rental actively removes plastic waste from nature and helps fund tree-planting projects, making your rainy-day strolls carbon-offset and environmentally responsible.
ENERGY
We are committed to reducing our energy consumption through a combination of efficient technologies and responsible operational practices.
In addition to upgrading lighting throughout the hotel, we regularly monitor energy performance to identify trends and opportunities for further reduction. By carefully managing heating, cooling, and equipment use, we aim to minimise our carbon footprint while maintaining the highest levels of guest comfort.
WASTE & RECYCLING
We actively work to reduce waste across all areas of the hotel and have implemented comprehensive recycling systems to ensure materials such as glass, cardboard, and food waste are diverted from landfill wherever possible. We monitor our waste on a monthly basis to track performance and identify opportunities for further reduction.
We are also focused on reducing single-use items and minimising unnecessary packaging through considered purchasing decisions. These efforts support our ongoing commitment to responsible waste management and environmental stewardship.
WATER
We are committed to reducing water consumption across the hotel through the installation of flow restrictors in guest bedrooms, public and back of house areas.
These measures help to minimise water use without compromising guest comfort, while also reducing the energy required for water heating.
We continue to review water usage to identify opportunities for further efficiency.
SUSTAINABLE SOURCING
We prioritise working with suppliers who share our commitment to sustainability, with a focus on sourcing locally and seasonally wherever possible.
By supporting regional producers and selecting responsibly sourced products, we reduce food miles, promote local businesses, and ensure high-quality offerings for our guests.
Sustainability remains a key consideration in all procurement decisions, supporting both our environmental goals and the local community.
OUR TEAM
Our team plays a vital role in delivering our sustainability commitments. We have established a dedicated Green Team who lead initiatives, monitor progress, and champion best practices across the hotel. Alongside this, we provide guidance and training to ensure colleagues understand the importance of responsible operations and feel empowered to contribute ideas and improvements.
By fostering a culture of awareness and accountability, we ensure sustainability is embedded in our day-to-day activities.
MEANINGFUL SOCIETAL IMPACT
We are committed to making a positive contribution to our community and supporting charitable initiatives both locally and beyond.
We actively support organisations such as St Leonard’s Hospice and Cash for Kids, contributing to causes that make a meaningful difference to individuals and families.
Through fundraising initiatives, team engagement, and ongoing partnerships, we aim to create a lasting impact within our community as part of our commitment to responsible business.
IT’S A JOURNEY
Sustainability is an ongoing journey at The Grand, York. We are committed to regularly reviewing our practices, setting new objectives, and identifying opportunities for improvement, with the aim of reducing our environmental impact year-on-year.
By continually evolving our approach, we aim to enhance our positive impact and operate responsibly for the benefit of our guests, our community, and the environment, with clear areas of focus for future development.
If you have any feedback or suggestions, please email: [email protected]
