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Whitbread’s hotel company Premier Inn has announced a new target to cut water consumption by 20% per sleeper by 2030.
This comes after a trial of water-saving technologies involving a number of hotels in “water-stressed” areas revealed the potential to cut the group’s gas consumption and related carbon emissions by 5%, following a reduction in water use of just over 20%.
In order to meet this target across the Premier Inn portfolio, Whitbread launched this initiative as part of its ‘Force for Good’ sustainability programme. The operator will roll out water-saving technologies across over 845 hotels, prioritising those in areas at higher risk of water stress.
The programme of advancements also includes installation of upgraded WC valves, water-efficient showerheads, and flow restrictors on taps.
For the duration of their stay, water used by guests at Whitbread hotels is water they will not be using at home. With the majority of Whitbread’s water consumption classed as domestic, the new target is directly comparable to the UK government’s goal to cut household water consumption by 20% by 2037.
The UK hospitality sector may have to face increasing challenges around water stress. In August 2022 the Environment Agency declared a drought in eight of its 14 areas across the UK, with water restrictions expected to become more frequent as global temperatures rise.
Rosana Elias, head of sustainability at Whitbread, said: “Reducing water use and gas consumption not only benefits the environment but makes perfect business sense. Not only are we looking at potential significant savings on our water and gas bills, but our hotels will be less impacted by the water restrictions placed on drought-stricken regions.
“This announcement, part of Whitbread’s ‘Force for Good’ programme which addresses the environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues most material to our business, is the latest in a series that position Whitbread as a leader amongst its peer group.”
