Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo bags ‘EU SWITCH-Asia Greening Hotels’ Merit Award for second year

For the second consecutive year, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo was presented a merit award for energy, water conservation and waste management in the Large Hotels (over 50 rooms) and Boutique Hotel category at the EU SWITCH-Asia Greening Sri Lankan Hotels Awards 2013, held on 14 October. SWITCH-Asia Greening Sri Lankan Hotels is a European Commission funded project implemented by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
Shortlisted hotels were interview by a panel of seven judges who are all experts in the field of sustainability. Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo has been closely working with the ‘Greening Sri Lankan Hotels’ project since 2009.
Benefit
The hotel has greatly benefited from consultancy and advisory services offered through the project which has contributed towards high energy efficiency and environmental preservation, in-house capacity building and identifying ‘no-cost’ & ‘low-cost’ options. These factors have led to the enhancement of sustainability, energy and water utilisation efficiency, waste reduction and improved productivity at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo.
As a responsible corporate citizen, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo considers being green to be of utmost importance and has continued to gain recognition for its initiative.
Recent accolades also include Green Globe Certification for the fourth consecutive year. The hotel remains the only one in Sri Lanka to be thus re-certified by the premier international sustainability body.
Green Initiatives
Green initiatives by Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo include rain water harvesting, towel and linen reuse programs, replacing CFL bulbs with LEDs, associate awareness through training sessions, emails and posters. Recycling of cardboard, glass, plastic, aluminium, waste paper, CFL/FTL bulbs and electronic waste are some other significant initiatives.
Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo has continued to grow as a beacon amongst Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, managed by John Keells Group, the country’s premier conglomerate. The hotel’s continued efforts demonstrate its sustainable green commitments, in keeping with the John Keells Leisure Sector pledge ‘I will be Green’.
The future of the country’s hospitality industry depends on efforts to protect and preserve its resources and attracting tourists who are increasingly more aware of the environmental impact of their travels.