Our environmental
and social policy statement

It’s BEST when you care for the environment……

The Best Western Hilcroft Hotel recognises that we must operate our business with care and consideration both within our local environment and in the wider environment. In an effort to reduce the impact of our activities on the local environment, we have committed to operate with the following policies:

Our social policy in our local community:-

• We use local suppliers wherever possible to minimise transport and CO2 emissions but also promote local and Scottish produce.

• We use local trade’s people and companies for property maintenance and operation.

• We pay all our suppliers promptly and within their own credit terms.

• We work closely with West Lothian Council and all statutory authorities to ensure that we operate our business above the minimum standards for Environmental Health and Safety.

• We have ensured that public areas of the hotel are accessible for mobility impaired customers and have provided one specially adapted bedroom to ensure access to all facilities.

• We give our excess and used furniture free to local charities.

• We pro-actively maintain the appearance of the environment around the hotel by keeping the grounds clean, keeping the outside decking and smoking areas free from debree, weeding all areas in the summer, keeping access areas free of ice and snow in the winter and planting and maintaining the gardens with seasonal planting.

• We work with local schools and West Lothian college to provide work experience and training and we support many local community groups

Our wider social and environmental policy

• We have received a BRONZE rating from The Green Tourism Business Scheme with the target being, to achieve and maintain a high standard for operating the business in an environmentally responsible “Green” way.

• We have formed an Energy Committee which investigates and initiates ways to reduce energy and wastage from hotel operations and to increase recycling. This committee also monitors meter readings for all energy and pro-actively takes steps to reduce usage when consumption increases by calculating and setting targets for energy use per customer and per room sold.

• We would like to promote recycling both internally and amongst our customers and suppliers. Including paper, cans, toner cartridges, lightbulbs, packaging and bottles.

• We encourage re-use of guest towels and change bed linen only on demand.

• We have thoroughly insulated all bedrooms and have individual heating controls to reduce excess energy use and have energy switches (Not in all rooms) to prevent appliances being left on when the room is vacant.

• We have installed a large proportion of low energy and long life light bulbs.

• All heating and hot water plant are regularly maintained and insulated and set at optimum comfort and energy consumption levels.

• We have installed motion sensors for automatic switching off of corridor lighting and “auto-switch off” switches in back of house areas and stores.

• Ninety percent of our public toilets have push taps to reduce water wastage and there is a current program in place to install these taps to all back of house and kitchen /bars.

• We would like to ensure that business is sustained whilst providing the highest level of service possible. Additionally, communicating to both internal and external customers the importance of compliance with the policy.

C Hilditch, Director

Best Western Hilcroft Hotel