Sponsored Sites Shop Online for Eco-Friendly Products Ekotribe Carbon Consulting Add your site here.

Cinnamon Grand has implemented all the standard requirements for Green Globe certification including energy management systems for all guest rooms, certified carpets, the use of only biodegradable cosmetic and cleaning products, waste sorting and recycling and the sale of waste organic food products to farmers as animal feed. The hotel also manufactures its own bottled drinking water, which is served exclusively throughout the property. All guest rooms are fitted with CFL and LED bulbs, and a change-out plan is in place for converting all lighting in the banquet halls to LEDs.

Environmental education is also facilitated through their Nuga Gama Restaurant, which hosts children from local communities. The children are provided with environmental education based on the natural surroundings of the restaurant (an abundance of plant species, along with a compost areas where all garden waste is directed to), and are also made aware of energy and water conservation and waste management practices. Guests are provided with environmental education through the sale of "Environmental Wisdom Cards" at Nuga Gama, the proceeds of which are invested in conservation projects.

The hotel's "Banners to Bags" program, takes discarded promotional banners and transforms them into fashion handbags for sale from the hotel boutique. The B2b initiative is part of the "365 ways to save the Earth" program, where staff are provided with an environmental message or tip each day at the morning briefing. All funds from the sale of the fashion handbags are donated to the Children’s Cancer Ward at Maharagama Hospital.

Green Globe auditor Ruchi Gunewardene, Director, Sting Consultants (Pvt) said: "The hotel's unique achievements are in promoting the respect and understanding of local cultures and customs, as well as in environmental education for guests, staff, and local communities.

"The hotel creates awareness of local cultures through its outdoor restaurant, Nuga Gama - "the village in the city" - where an authentic rural village experience has been created in the heart of Colombo. Apart from serving exclusively indigenous foods, the restaurant also promotes an understanding of local cultures through the displaying and sale of handicrafts and art products (made by villagers to whom the proceeds are returned), through weekly cultural shows and programs, and through active education of guests by restaurant staff."

Areas that have been identified for continuous improvement include updating the hotel's purchasing policies to include a stronger commitment to sustainable sourcing and favoring certified suppliers and certified products. Further, the hotel has begun the installation of sensor-operated taps in the restaurants, as well as dual-flush toilets and low-flow aerators for faucets.