SAN FRANCISCO – When The Fairmont San Francisco opened its doors more than a century ago, the landmark hotel forged an enduring commitment to the city it calls home and the community it serves. 

Through the decades, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has cultivated a tradition of environmental stewardship.  Several of Fairmont’s Canadian resorts, such as: The Fairmont Banff Springs, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, are actually located in national parks.  They were

As the flagship property for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, The Fairmont San Francisco’s green practices include:

The Fairmont participates in the Business Energy Coalition load shedding program.  The program unites Bay Area businesses that successfully lower their electrical consumption in order to prevent power outages and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.  The program also reduces the need for the construction of additional power plants.

The hotel outsources its laundry service to a company that recycles approximately 72 percent

of the water.  In addition, the vendor uses organic chemicals rather than traditional bleach in the washroom because it is easier for the sewer plant to treat the organic chemicals.

Occupancy sensors are installed in many locations to control unnecessary use of lighting.

In meeting and banquet venues, HVAC (heating, ventilating & air conditioning) are controlled via computer to correspond with events.

Compact fluorescent lights are installed in all guest rooms and many public spaces.

The hotel utilizes low flow toilets.

The Fairmont uses nontoxic cleaning products.

Paper, plastic, tin, cardboard and aluminum are recycled.

Ice machines are cooled by air not water.

The hotel encourages its purveyors to use recycled products and will not use products that do not meet its green standards.

The Fairmont provides complimentary parking to guests who drive hybrid cars.

Leftover nonperishable food items are donated twice a week to Food Runners, which provides food to shelters and the needy.

The hotel’s composting program produces high-quality compost from excess food scraps and kitchen waste.  This program has significantly reduced the amount of waste that would be diverted to landfill.

The hotel has recently introduced a “green menu” within its in-room dining menu.  This organic, sustainable menu selection changes with the seasons and the availability of local produce.

The Fairmont offers a wide selection of organic wines by the bottle and glass in all of its restaurants and food & beverage operations.

Kitchen grease is converted to bio-diesel fuel.

Eyeglasses that remain in the hotel’s “lost and found” storage for more than one year are donated to Doctors without Borders.

Employees organize ongoing food and clothing drives and donate the items to La Casa de Las Madres, San Francisco’s largest domestic violence shelter for women and their children.  In addition, when remodeling or refurbishing areas, the hotel donates furniture, restaurant and kitchen items to La Casa and other non-profit organizations.