Owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, the Devonshire Hotels and Restaurants Group (DHRG) embodies the Cavendish family’s core values. As landowners and custodians of national heritage, sustainability is at the heart of these values, the vision for the business is ‘to benefit our heritage, our people and our shared future’. The business also has a ‘Triple Bottom Line’ policy, therefore, as well as commercial prosperity; social equity and environmental practices are also key. Sustainability values are brought to life via the Triple Bottom Line Steering Committee (TBL steering committee), chaired by the Duke’s son Lord Burlington, which introduced a 10 Year Plan of 10 goals in 2011, and was updated in 2020.
These revised 10 Year Goals include the long-term aims of an 80% recycling rate in our hotels, as well a reduction in energy consumption by 5% year on year, and a commitment to working towards net-zero emissions over the next 10 years.
We currently:
Use paper made from sustainable sources.
Use energy-saving light bulbs throughout our hotels wherever possible.
Recycle all glass, paper and plastic.
Use only paper straws in our bars and restaurants and minimise the use of single-use plastic where possible.
No longer use single-use toiletries in guest bedrooms, and instead use refillable containers and products from the environmentally friendly brand, Fikkerts, who share our commitment to local provenance and reducing waste.
Send food waste to anaerobic digestion to create power.
Send as much kitchen waste such as waste fats for environmentally friendly recycling. Where possible, our kitchens contain food macerators to reduce the volume of kitchen waste we send to landfill.
Utilise the internet and email as a means to distribute information such as newsletters, brochures and letters.
Use eco-friendly powders and green chemicals to wash all hotel laundry and towels in The Devonshire Spa.
Where possible we make use of our very own fruit and vegetable gardens and local food suppliers. One of our ongoing goals is to ensure that 50% of supplier spend is from within 30 miles.
Have an environmental induction for all staff on joining the business to outline the importance and to educate them on the recycling initiatives that are in place within their department and throughout the hotel.
Elect Vision and Values Champions at each property aim to bring the sustainability values to life and promote best practices.
We have an environmental committee and conduct meetings every 3 months to drive new ‘green’ ideas and set sustainability targets.
Encourage guests to forget all about their car whilst staying with us to enjoy the natural breathtaking beauty of the Bolton Abbey and Chatsworth Estates in which our hotels are set, with miles of footpaths from the doorstep.
Have complimentary TESLA and universal electric car charging points in our car parks at all properties for use by guests and patrons.
Have an electric maintenance vehicle servicing our Yorkshire properties.
If you have any suggestions as to how we can improve our sustainability practices, please don’t hesitate in contacting us!
