UK: Five-star hotel The Headland, located in Cornwall, has been awarded EarthCheck Silver accreditation following a two-day audit process that took place earlier this year.
The Headland had to meet the EarthCheck Certified standard across a number of key areas, including energy use, water use, carbon emissions, chemicals, community and employee impact, paper use and waste.
Since partnering with EarthCheck in 2023, The Headland has cut energy use by over 4.5 per cent per guest night, has switched 95 per cent of its lighting to LED, and reduced water consumption by five per cent. In its most recent waste report, recycling stood at 77 per cent, plastic bottles have been eliminated and food waste per cover has been more than halved.
Beyond operations, the hotel supports local suppliers, invests in young people and drives conservation projects – from rainwater harvesting to providing a nesting site for Cornish choughs, and has introduced a lobster release scheme with the National Lobster Hatchery.
Veryan Palmer, family director at The Headland, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have our sustainability efforts recognised by EarthCheck. As a team, we have put a huge amount of work into ensuring The Headland is a place we can be proud of when it comes to taking care of the environment for future generations so achieving the Silver certification is a great way to celebrate that.”
Bethany Branigan, sustainability lead at The Headland, added: “In just two years since partnering with EarthCheck, we have come a very long way and this latest achievement means a huge amount for the work that has been done in that time. We are so determined to keep improving and innovating to make a tangible difference to our business and its impact on the planet, we are really excited for the future and how we can keep growing.”
André Russ, EarthCheck vice president – business development and sales, said: “The Headland has shown outstanding leadership by putting sustainability at the heart of how they operate. With EarthCheck Certification, their efforts are independently recognised. By measuring their footprint, putting plans into action, and delivering results such as cutting waste and saving energy, this much-loved Cornish hotel is showing how hospitality can protect the environment and support people while ensuring its legacy for future generations.”
Highlights:
• The Headland Hotel in Cornwall has earned EarthCheck Silver certification,
• Energy use per guest night is down 4.5 per cent, and 95 per cent of lighting is now LED.
• The hotel has cut water consumption by five per cent and recycles 77 per cent of its waste, with food waste per cover halved.
• Conservation projects include rainwater harvesting, chough nesting, and a lobster release scheme.