Rodas – An Ecotel Hotel -Sustainability Program

Rodas-An Ecotel Hotel is an Boutique environmentally responsible business hotel

located in the heart of Hiranandani Gardens, Powai. Rodas- An Ecotel Hotel is one of
the first award winning and acclaimed hotels of The Fern Hotels And Resorts. 10
years hence, the brand has now grown nationally and internationally with 28 Hotels,
Resorts, Clubs and Serviced Apartments at 24 locations across India with an
additional 18 properties at various stages of development. The hotels have won over
34 awards brand innovation and service excellence. Our Hospitality is always with
Responsibility

Rodas-An Ecotel Hotel boasts of 36 exquisitely designed guest rooms that reflect
modern Indian sensibility, one multi cuisine restaurant-Parabola offering delectable
cuisines from around the globe. The hotel also has one of the largest indoor meeting
and banquet facilities, making it the first preferred choice for business and family
events.

Rodas-An Ecotel Hotel is an Ecotel Certified Hotel. Our green building design
exhibits state-of-the-art architecture, sustainable systems and technologies. Whereas
Ecotel Certification, enables the hotel to become sustainable by reducing the
environment impact of day-to-day operations; becoming financially more viable and
socially responsible.

The green building uses a high efficiency heating and cooling system, Cool roof
system, Energy efficient lighting, Rain water harvesting systems, low-flow faucets
and flushes, etc. Our waste management practices of segregation and implementation
of reduce-reuse-recycle measures ensure our solid waste diversion rate is maximum.
We are driven towards creating responsible environment stewards through interactive
training modules, innovative team building activities, and community events. At
Rodas-An Ecotel Hotel, Sustainability is not merely a philosophy, but a way of life.

To elaborate on our deep-rooted commitment towards the environment, enlisted

below is a brief description of Rodas-An Ecotel Hotels Environment Program.

Sustainable Sites and Resource management during Construction

 The building is located in an area which has access to basic service areas in
close vicinity. Further excellent pedestrian access is enabled between the building
and the services. The hotel is also well-connected with the public transport bus
network
 Most of the materials used in construction was obtained locally. thereby
supporting the regional economy and reducing the environmental impacts
resulting from transportation.
Innovative Design and Insulation

Our green building design exhibits state-of-the-art architecture, sustainable systems

and technologies.
 The parabolic shaped building is oriented to face the North east direction to
allow sunlight to illuminate the hotel but limit direct sunlight penetration.
Optimal levels of daylight enters the building to illuminate the Restaurants,
rooms, staircases etc. thus minimizing the need for artificial lighting.
 Heat gain and loss is further prevented by the use of hermetically sealed double
glazed windows in all areas of the hotel and excellent roof top insulation with 3
layers of natural resource COBA (clay brick).
 Excellent Rooftop insulation is provided through 3 layers of COBA (clay brick),
which is a natural resource. It acts as an insulator from the direct heat, thus
reducing the air conditioning load.The clay brick layer is finished with tiling, a
water proof coating and a paint coat with thermal reflecting properties.Between
the 6th Floor and the rooftop theres further under deck insulation to prevent heat
and sound from entering the hotel.

Sustainability Commitment
 A Separate Environment Department exists with an allocated budget.
 Promotional material and other forms of communication about the hotel's
sustainability commitment and achievements are factually correct, complete
and verifiable.
 Our commitment to the environment is showcased on our website, facebook
page, twitter and blog.
 Mission and Vision explicitly mentions our commitment to sustainability.
 Purchase contracts have a clause for suppliers to be environment friendly.
 All paper used in the hotel has minimum 50% post consumer content. Tissues are
FSC certified. Parcel bags are made from 100% handmade paper.
 Plants are used in the hotel.
 MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets)of chemicals are present in respective
departments and with Environment Officer.

Water Management

Rodas-An Ecotel Hotel, has employed various techniques to conserve and preserve
water.
Water consumption is reduced at source through low-flow fixtures and efficient
toilets.
 All tap faucets are either installed with flow restrictors/aerators or sensors.
Shower heads and urinal are equipped with flow control devices and timer-based
sensors respectively. All toilets are water-efficient and meet low-flush standards
with a dual flush system of capacities 3 and 6 liters per flush.
 Drinking Water treatment: Water is sterilized in a Ultra violet ray filter.
 Environment friendly chemicals with a high dilution factor are used in
Housekeeping and Kitchen Stewarding.
 Regular water testing is done through third party labs.
 Staff are educated through effective conservation programs by use of posters,
reminders, handouts and training programs
 Sewage treatment Plant: The waste water of the hotel is treated and then further
reused in areas like gardening and for new constructions within the complex.
 Rain water harvesting: Groundwater recharge and roof water harvesting is also
incorporated in the township through roof water harvesting and subsurface
collection and pumping.

Energy Management

At Rodas-An Ecotel Hotel, we try our best to ensure every unit of energy is put to use.
Energy management designs and systems enlisted below have been integrated into the
hotel to ensure optimum utilization of energy.

 The Building design incorporates efficient lighting systems (LED CFL,

Dimmers to vary brightness and motion sensors) high performance glass to
optimize energy performance.
 Measurement and verification energy performance is done through a system
of meters and sub-meters is installed.
 Our Centralized HVAC system has a highly efficient microprocessor based
controller to reduce starting current and control acceleration of the motors.
 Moreover, the refrigerant used in the AC plant and the refrigerators is CFC free.
 Co-generation of Energy: Another interesting element of the HVAC system is
that Hot water for the hotel is generated from the waste heat of the AC plant
through a De Super Heater. As a back-up, we have a heat pump. By-product
Cooling energy of the heat pump is used to cool the basement.
 Regular maintenance of burners in Kitchens to use fuel (PNG) efficiently.
 Motion sensors have also been installed in washrooms of the hotel.
 Dimmers installed in the Lobby, restaurants, to vary brightness and save energy.
 Energy efficient computers are used. Energy saving modes are installed on
computers.
 The Guests rooms are incorporated with an intelligent key-tag system. Also the
Master Control panel in the guest rooms incorporates a unique feature known as
the ECO button. On pressing the Eco button the thermostat of the air-
conditioning unit is stepped up by two degrees. A certificate of appreciation is
issued to the guest who has voluntarily participated in conserving energy. We
have developed a direct mail link with the guests, and inform them of our
ongoing environmental activities.
 Further energy management is facilitated through an excellently implemented
Preventative maintenance program of all equipment in the hotel to ensure
 maximum efficiency, Daily monitoring of Heat-Light-Power(HLP),Goal-setting
for reduction of HLP consumption,Energy conservation Training for all team
members ,and exchanging knowledge of best practices at community meetings.

Waste Management

Waste Management is an important aspect of environmental responsibility given the

amount of waste that is sent to landfills all over the world. Along with reducing the
use of natural resources at source though various measures, the waste generated is
effectively diverted from a landfill through segregation and recycling.

 The Hotel manages its solid waste by segregating it in all the kitchens of the
hotel. Four separate color coded bins-Black, White, Green, Red are used for
separating the waste into wet, dry, recyclable and non-recyclable.
 An easily accessible area that serves the entire building is dedicated to the
separation, collection and storage of materials for recycling including (at a
minimum) paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics, and metals to facilitate
waste reduction at source.
 Offices, Guest rooms have a two bin segregation system.
 Our certified scrap dealer collects all the segregated waste of the hotel. After
further segregation, he diverts the dry waste to recycling companies and food
waste to piggeries.
 Minimum paper is utilised. Internal communications is done through email and if
required on recycled paper. All guest communication utlises paper with minimum
50% post consumer content.
 Cloth napkins are used in the restaurant.
 Waste generating materials like Doileys, laundry shirt and collar cards are not
used in the hotel.
 Public restrooms have dispensers for amenities
 Cloth Laundry bags are used in guest rooms.
 Discard Bed linen, towels is converted to wiping cloths.
 Guest Room amenities include biodegradable herbal products and stationery
made from environment friendly material.
 News papers are ordered on the basis of days occupancy
 Use of electrical induction plates
 Old clothes, staff uniforms are donated to an NGO- Adarshmay.
 Scrap dealer collects and gives the tetra paks of the hotel to Stree Mukti
Sanghatan -an NGO who recycles it.

Employee Engagement and community Involvement

We at Rodas an Ecotel Hotel believe our environment is unique and is the legacy our
future generations inherit, therefore it is our prime responsibility to protect it. This
belief is not only in thought... But is also exemplified in word and deeds.
In our endeavor to conserve our planet, we relentlessly strive to create a paradigm
shift towards sustainable thinking by transfer of knowledge and delivering significant
societal value through education programs and community activities.

Our team of employees are the back bone of our environment program. Hence
we are committed to instilling a spirit of environmentalism through a dynamic
and interactive training program.

- Employee Orientation/Induction and Training

The Environment program of The Hotel is introduced at the Employee Orientation. A

formal mention of Rodas’ environment program is made to all employees, regardless
of the rank, by the Environment Officer in order to familiarize all new employees
with the hotel’s commitment. In addition, individual environmental efforts
implemented in each department are included in the departmental orientation
presentations. At the end of this session each employee is gifted a Jute bag and an
Ecotel Handbook.
Refresher Training sessions are also held from time to time for team members after
they have joined the organization. In this way, the sustainable practices of the hotel
continue beyond the founding team and are carried out by the staff of the hotel.

- Green Team

The Green Team is a group of committed individuals who act as the managing body
for the hotel’s environment program. The team consists of team members from each
function/department in the hotel. The members are entrusted with the responsibility to
monitor staff and to ensure that they adhere to ecofriendly practices .They also host
various eco activities for the staff and community.

- Employee Engagement Activities

Activities with an environment theme are regularly conducted to spread awareness,

empower employees to showcase vocational talent, encourage camaraderie and most
importantly celebrate togetherness. Past activities include Poster competitions, Eco
quiz Competitions, Wealth from Waste competition, Interactive workshops, Eco
Antakshari competition etc.

While delivering excellent services we also engage our esteemed guests in the
Environment program of the Hotel.

- Guest Connect

One of our primary methods of spreading environmental awareness among our guests
is through an Ecotel handbook kept in all the rooms of the hotel. This handbook
printed on recycled paper informs our guest of the environment friendly practices of
the hotel

Also our Guest participation programs - Save our planet and Eco guest program are
largely accepted and practiced.

Save Our Planet: This re-use of linen program helps conserve the environment by
saving energy and water. If the guest places the SOP card on the bed, then the
housekeeping team do not change the linen for that day. Guests who participate in the
program are appreciated for their contribution in reducing natural resource
consumption.

Eco Guest Program: The master control panel in the guest rooms is incorporated with
an Eco button. This button when pressed increases the entire room temperature by two
degrees Celsius thus saving energy. Each guest who presses this button is appreciated
with an Eco certificate.

All communication and marketing material of the hotel specifically mentions our
commitment to the environment.

- Eco Events

Well publicized ECO events/ Initiatives/Campaigns/information and resources are

organized from time to time to involve citizens and enable the practice of more
environmentally conscious, economically sustainable, and socially responsible
lifestyles and business pursuits.

Staff associates from the various departments join and promote these eco events.
Some on the past events include Cycle Rally on Car free Day, Cleanup Drive at Powai
lake after the Ganesh immersion, Vermiculture demos to citizens, Switching off non-
essential lights during Earth Hour, Educating guests about the environment practices
followed in the hotel, Eco Antakshari Competitions, Eco Ganesha Competitions,
Environment awareness with students, Best out of waste competitions etc.

School children are also invited to the hotel and educated about the environment
friendly practices followed at the hotel. We assist them with projects as well as
practices they can implement at home. Just recently we had a batch of 50 students
from Kohinoor college of Hotel management who visited the hotel and studied our
hotel practices.
Our General Manager- an avid environmentalist, also presents our best environment
practices at several seminars, colleges, knowledge exchange forums etc. across the
country.

Advanced Locality Management

The ALM is an identified composite or a locality, the residents and users of which
have committed to improving the quality of life in close co-operation and
collaboration with the M.C.G.M.

Meluha-The Fern and Rodas an Ecotel Hotel initiated and formed the first ALM
(Advance Locality Management program) in the Hiranandani Township in
collaboration with Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. It was set up on World
Environment Day-5th June 2011. The ALM members are from the neighborhood
(societies, corporate & malls). The main objective of the ALM is waste management.

All the above initiatives assist us in creating transformational change and deliver
significant societal value.

The milestones achieved by Rodas an Ecotel Hotel simply prove that Responsible
Luxury is not an oxymoron. The best practices implemented by Rodas An Ecotel
Hotel can be replicated by other businesses to potentially drive change in the
current state of environment even as they generate economic wealth.

--Aldrina Fernandes - Environment Officer, Meluha The Fern and Rodas

envinfo@meluhafernhotel.com