Environmental measures

Throughout the world there are 440 Biosphere Reserves. Spain has 26 reserves, the third highest ranking in the world. Andalusia is the area with the greatest number of these reserves, with a total of 8 (40% of the surface area of Spain). Our hotels are a stone’s throw from 6 of these Reserves in Andalusia. Fuerte Marbella y Fuerte Miramar are located 8 Km from Sierra de las Nieves and its surroundings; Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema is 5 Km from Fuerte Grazalema; Fuerte Rompido Suites is only 15 Km from las Marismas del Odiel, 119 Km from las Dehesas de Sierra Morena and 91 Km from the Doñana National park and the Sierra Nevada national Parka is located 109 Km from Fuerte la Herradura.

Send your suggestions for improving environmental measures at our hotels to: environmental@fuertehoteles.com

In 2005, Grupo El Fuerte received the V "DOÑANA" AWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE COMPANIES; Andalusia: Fuerte Hoteles SL, awarded for outstanding environmental commitment that has been displayed for years in their ecological hotels. More information...

fuertehoteles.com, The group is sensitive to the environment, committed to environmental management in hotel management, and using the ISO 14001 tool, listens to and answers societies concerns.

SOME ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES

MANAGEMENT

1. Ecology forms part of management.
2. Staff training in environmental concerns
3. Information for clients regarding environmental innovations.
4. Implementation of Environmental Management System ISO 14001.
5. Continuous following up of all environmental issues: measuring atmospheric emissions, waste, noise, consumption of natural resources (water, propane, petrol, energy electricity, etc.)

ENERGY AND WATER

1. Progressive substitution of traditional lighting for energy saving lighting.
2. Installation of reactive energy compensators.
3. Control of energy consumption with computer controlled systems.
4. Temperature regulators in rooms.
5. Water quality control.
6.  Installation of automatic lighting systems with cards in the bedrooms.
7. Providing information to guests and staff regarding energy saving measures.
8. Double-glazing in outside doors and windows, resulting in energy savings in central heating and air conditioning.
9. Automatic disconnection system for the air conditioning when opening the doors and windows to the terraces in rooms.
10. Computer controlled clean hot and cold-water production system.
11. Use of refrigerating gases in accordance with current legislation for the protection of the ozone layer.
12. Ecological flush systems in WC cisterns.
13. Kitchen staff are instructed to wash vegetables in pans whenever possible and to use dishwashers on maximum capacity.
14. We give information on ways of saving water in the bathrooms.
15. We change the towels and bedclothes when guests ask for it.
16. Plants and gardens are watered with drip systems and micro aspersion.
17. Sensor lights in outside areas (activated and deactivated with natural light).
18. Boilers have control thermostats, helping to save energy.
19. We have solar panels to provide hotels with hot water and central heating.

PURCHASES. FOOD AND DRINK

1. Use of Ecological paper
2. Use of recyclable and/or returnable packaging.
3. Detergents and cleaning products made in an ecological fashion.
4. Suppliers chosen on environmental criteria.
5. Bulk purchases, avoiding portions
6. Healthy, wholemeal breakfast Buffets.
7. Promotion of natural, fresh and seasonal products.
8. Promotion of locally produced products.
9. Drinks are always served in glasses or directly from the barrel, except in solarium areas.
10. Promotion of products in glass containers, rather than metal, and paper rather than plastic.
11. Recycled computer materials (ink cartridges, toners…).
12. We don’t use chlorine bleached or coloured toilet paper.

EQUIPMENT

1. Use of traditional craft products in the decoration.
2. Purchase of furnishings with environmental criteria.
3. Smoking and non-smoking areas.
4. No single use cutlery and plates are used.
5. Refrigerated rubbish area.
6. Solar panels are used to produce hot water and central heating.

OUTSIDE

1. Reduction in tarmac areas.
2. Use of native plants.
3. Incorporated in the area’s natural habitat.
4. Maximisation of green areas.
5. We always try to avoid chemical fertilisers, insecticides and herbicides.
6. Parking areas are surrounded and hidden by hedges and trees.
7. We pick up small amounts of waste generated by our clients to keep the beaches clean (ecological cones).
8. An organic fruit and vegetable patch.

 WASTE

1. Preference for products with minimal packaging.
2. Separate oil collection.
3. Separate glass collection.
4. Separate paper and card collection.
5. Separate battery collection.
6. Separate organic waste collection.
7. We avoid buying products in non-returnable packaging in small or individual portions.
8. We avoid purchasing doubly wrapped food products.
9. We use refillable or reusable containers for serving food.
10. We use environmental mineral salt chlorination systems in the swimming pools
11. Computer products are collected by a specialised recycling company.
12. The company uses e-mail to avoid wasting paper.
13. Correct management of dangerous wastes by authorised sources
14. Composting of vegetable waste (from pruning and kitchen waste)
15. We use paper card and organic waste compactors.

NOISE

1. Soundproofing.
2. Volume limits on all sound systems.
3. Annual noise emission controls

ACTIVITIES

1. We offer outings and activities that respect the environment. 
2. Environmental trips around the hotel to raise client awareness
3. Promotion of environmental transport: bicycle hire, hiking …
4. Promotion of cultural activities in the area: exhibitions, concerts, local fiestas …