The Maids Head’s Sustainability Pledge
The Maids Head’s sustainability pledge is continuously being refreshed, but here are some of the initiatives we are currently committed to.
Here at the Maids Head Hotel, we are not only proud of our heritage but are committed to sustaining a better future. These are some of the key changes we have implemented within the hotel. In 2022 a Sustainability Committee was formed which has generated many initiatives. It is an agenda item on the quarterly Heads of Department meeting and the quarterly Employee Council Meeting (ECM). The Hotel is a Net Zero Waste Champion and accredited Cycle Friendly Hotel.
Reducing single use plastics
From changing our guest key cards from plastic to wooden, removing plastic bottles & straws from our bars and function rooms, offering bamboo toothbrushes, to introducing environmentally refillable toiletries throughout guest and public bathrooms. This has greatly reduced our waste of single use plastics.
Electrical vehicle chargers
We are pleased to be able to offer 3 universal EV charging points, allowing our guests to charge their vehicles overnight.
Encouraging our guests to go green
By educating and informing our guests about the importance of sustainable tourism, we actively encourage our guests to help us with our commitment to go green, but without compromising on comfort. If guests are happy to re-use thier towels then we suggest leaving these hanging up on the towel rails. However, if left in the bath or floor of shower, we will happily replace these.
The Maids Head is a Cycling UK Member
Managing waste & recycling
To meet the new Governments 2025 sustainability targets for hospitality, we have already implemented five waste collection bins. All departments now sort their waste into food, cardboard, glass, plastic/tins, and general waste.
The kitchen use different coloured bags for general waste and food waste is collected in compostable bags. Recycling also actively taking place. Oil and fat is collected for recycling fortnightly.
Dual-compartment bins are now found in guest bedrooms, one side designated for general waste and the other for recyclable materials. The recyclable waste is sorted into the appropriate collection bins by our hardworking housekeeping team at the end of their shift. This initiative has been highly successful, with enthusiastic participation from all staff members.
We ask all guests to kindly support us with this initiative.
The Hotel’s wooden key cards, replacing single use plastics
Local suppliers
The Maids Head Hotel is proud to support a wide range of local suppliers that our lovely county has to offer, from a range of local beers & spirits to locally produced foods. Our Chefs are committed to producing seasonal menus which champion the wealth of produce our county is proud to supply.
Visit our Bar to find it stocked with local craft ales, locally distilled spirits and wine from local vineyards. Buying local enhances the guest experience, but also reduces our carbon footprint.
Energy
The historic side of the hotel is heated by a state of the art capillary system, whereas the traditional side has air conditioning. Both systems can be are controlled by Reception so reducing energy bills when rooms are not in use.
Paper Waste
Paper waste is greatly reduced now through the use of online systems. Initiatives include Alert65 for kitchen records, MAPAL for staff training, Docusign for HR and ApprovalMax for all POs. These initiatives have seen paper and print usage massively reduced. All paper is now recycled.
Net Zero Waste Champion
Our community
Every year the Hotel chooses a charity to support. This is decided at the Employee Council. Support takes many forms, from fundraising initiatives such as abseiling for AgeUK Norwich to running half marathons for Priscilla Bacon Lodge. The charities are supported by offering Meeting rooms and hospitality as well as raffle prizes for their events. A charity e -Christmas is sent each year with a accompanied by a donation to the Charity.
The Hotel also works with ‘Business in the Community’ to help with fundraising and donation initiatives, as well as litter picking. Staff to date have generously donated easter eggs, advent calendars, toothbrushes and toothpaste to winter coats and hygiene products.
Hotel Manager, Christine Malcolm, said “our whole team are concerned about sustainability and are committed to achieving our initiatives. Sustainability also forms part of the Hotels Visions and Values.” The Hotel’s visions and values are concerned with Our Heritage, Our Guests and Our People.
The Maids Head’s sustainability pledge is continuously being updated. We very much hope that our guests will support our initiatives. Any feedback as to how we can strive to do more would be most welcome.
Please send any feedback to marketing@maidsheadhotel.co.uk.