All 40–50 employees are part of the team. Everyone is supported and challenged equally yet individually. We work with each other and for each other. Training and further education are actively encouraged by the company. Equality between men and women and above all people is a given. Work schedules are optimised and planned well in advance. Meals are varied and rich in vitamins, and emphasis is placed on healthy eating. Yoga classes and massages are offered by the company. The aim is to ensure that each and every individual is doing as well as possible.
Sustainability
Sustainability may be the latest buzzword, but what does it actually mean for us?
It means taking responsibility – for the environment and for future generations. Such responsibility must be borne by each and every employee as well as by the company as a whole. Sustainability is deeply rooted in our corporate culture.
The Family
The hotel
A groundwater heat pump was installed while the hotel was undergoing major renovation in 2011 and 2017. This covers 80% of energy requirements, enabling the hotel to save over two-thirds of its previous heating oil requirements. Furthermore, all windows in the rooms have been replaced with triple glazing. 100% of the energy consumed by Hotel BT comes from hydropower.
In unoccupied rooms, the heating is turned down and the lights and TV are automatically switched off. The lights and electronic devices in the public areas are also switched off during the night.
All shower heads are water-saving without compromising the shower experience.
Hotel BT voluntarily participates in the programme of the Energy Agency for Industry and is thus committed to actively cutting carbon emissions and optimising energy efficiency.
Waste, recycling and disposal
We generally try to generate as little waste as possible: partly through digitalisation, partly through deliveries in reusable packaging and partly through repairs. Any waste we do generate is sorted and recycled.
Use of ecological, organic, useful products
Wherever we have the choice between disposable and reusable or single and multiple use, we always discuss our options. Of course, the products we use must meet the needs of our guests. An organic, regional and seasonal product is of little to no use if none of the guests will consume it. But there’s no harm in trying. We tend to use cloth serviettes and refillable soap dispensers, avoid the use of plastic straws, and make sure our products are free from palm oil.
FOODwaste
Food produced for human consumption that is lost or discarded on its way from the field to the plate is referred to as food waste. Around one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted between the field and the plate. Food waste occurs at all stages of food production. For example, in farming, because food is not suitable for sale due to market standards. In restaurants, when leftovers from the buffet or on plates are thrown away. That’s why we try to optimise our portion sizes and not overfill our buffets. You can always ask if you want more. We’re currently taking part in a FOOD SAVE project initiated by UNITED AGAINST WASTE.
Supporting organisations
We support Water for Water, an independent non-profit organisation committed to the sustainable and fair use of water as a resource in Mozambique, Zambia and Switzerland.
We’re a member of Cuisine sans frontières. Cuisine sans frontières invites people to the table to resolve conflicts and foster community spirit. Cooking and eating together means quality of life. Conversations are held, relationships are forged, problems are solved. Cuisine sans frontières is based on these everyday experiences.
We’re part of the OK:GO Initiative, which is supported by the Förderverein Barrierefreie Schweiz accessibility interest group. The aim is for all Swiss tourism businesses to make information on the accessibility of their offers available to the public in a structured manner. This makes travel planning easier for people with disabilities, senior citizens and families with small children.
We have already achieved Level II in the Swiss tourism Swisstainable programme. The sustainability programme is open to all businesses and organisations in Swiss tourism: businesses that already have comprehensive sustainability certification and companies that want to embark on the path to more sustainable development.
In Engelberg, we support local associations financially, with materials, expertise and voluntary work.
