Sustainable concept: “Where no resources are consumed, no money is spent either”
In the past, grain was ground here using hydropower; today, the water-driven turbine in the former mill in Esslingen’s old town generates electricity for the “EcoInn” hotel – three times as much as the building needs. Two thirds of the electricity is fed into the public grid.
For this, and for much more that hotel manager Thomas Puchan puts into practice at his environmentally friendly “EcoInn”, he has already received several certificates. Most recently – as reported in our August issue – from Baden-Württemberg’s Environment Minister Franz Untersteller, as well as the DEHOGA Umweltcheck in gold.
“We used the advantage of our location to operate as sustainably as possible,” says Thomas Puchan. Of course, not everyone has a river next to their building – but everyone can work more ecologically, and therefore more economically, within their means. Anyone who cannot generate green electricity themselves from water, wind or sun could buy it from a supplier.
Vacuum cleaners simply abolished
The sustainable concept runs “like a green thread” through the whole hotel, says Thomas Puchan. Another example that is easy to implement but has a big impact: getting rid of vacuum cleaners. “They break quickly and use a lot of electricity,” says the hotelier. The “EcoInn” therefore has only wipeable floors. And to reduce water consumption as well, Thomas Puchan is currently having a new type of steam cleaning system tested: “My housekeepers are thrilled.” Without any cleaning agents, using only steam, all the rooms are left spotless.
Always going one step further, making use of innovations. On the one hand, there is a great deal of personal conviction behind this: “We cannot leave the whole burden to the generations that follow; everyone should do their part to protect the environment,” says Thomas Puchan. On the other hand, it is also a very simple business consideration: “Wherever no resources are consumed, no money is spent either.”
DEHOGA Umweltcheck easy to implement
The hotel manager reports: “Many people say it’s too expensive, I won’t do it. Others just do it and see that it pays off.” In the medium term, he recovers the money he puts into technology and other environmental measures, says Thomas Puchan.
It is not about having as many certificates on the wall as possible, says Thomas Puchan. “I also understand if someone finds the effort of certification too much.” The DEHOGA Umweltcheck, for example, has the advantage of being easy to implement and relatively inexpensive.
Staff fully behind the concept
And the external impact of an environmentally friendly business should not be underestimated – not only on guests but also on staff. “For me it is important that my employees are also fully behind the sustainable concept,” says Thomas Puchan. If that is not the case, an applicant may well be turned down. Conversely, the consistent concept is also a reason for many to apply to the “EcoInn”. “People are becoming more and more environmentally aware,” says Thomas Puchan.
Many guests, too, initially book the “EcoInn” because of its good location, but then come back because they have been won over by the allergy-friendly rooms furnished with natural materials or the organic breakfast buffet.