21 Sustainable Steps At The Alpina Gstaad

"There's no limit to how much we can inspire our guests to think in a different way; and to look at doing good in an aspirational and sexy way [...] As soon as you open your curiosities towards the world and you allow entrepreneurs and those on the forefront of innovation to come into your space to test out new concepts - that's where magic happens". 

Nachson Mimran, Creative Director and Chairman, The Alpina Gstaad and co-founder of TO.org, speaking to LUTE on 29 April 2021.

‍

Upcycling bed linen into lavender scent bags, running workshops on sustainable beekeeping, and turning leftover bread into top-selling pasta dishes. The Alpina Gstaad has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainable practices. 

‍

The hotel has hosted events that are focused on the refugee crisis, on the health of our oceans, and of our land ecosystems.  They look not only at how they can offset carbon emissions, but how they offset other privileges, like drinking - to support clean drinking water projects. Or how to offset room nights to provide mattresses for refugees in camps. It is a member of EarthCheck as well as itmustbeNOW.

‍

To mark World Environment Day on 5 June, here we celebrate 21 sustainable initiatives at The Alpina Gstaad:

‍

1. Rain-watered garden - the hotel gardens are well irrigated using water collected in the 10,000 litre capacity underground containers

2. Upcycling bed linen - this is done by the housekeeping team, who transform sheets into lavender scent bags

3. In-house bakery - to reduce food waste, the bread in the hotel restaurants is freshly baked in house every morning. Any leftovers are used to make the popular 'no waste pasta dish'

4. Seven bee houses - over 350,000 bees call the hotel home, supporting biodiversity and cross-pollination in the gardens. In summer, 45 minute bee workshops are offered with the local beekeeper, where guests can learn about the fascinating world of bees, their colonies and their essential cohabitation with humans

5. Solar & Swiss Hydro Power - 100% of the electricity consumed at The Alpina Gstaad comes from renewable energy sources, solar and Swiss hydroelectric power

6. Electric fleet - the hotel's all-electric car fleet includes Tesla Model X and a Fiat 500. Complimentary charging stations are available too

7. Film free kitchens - the hotel kitchens are vacuum and cling film free. The team use reusable boxes and compostable alternatives instead

8. Favouring local craftsmanship & materials - indigenous wood and stone, local craftspeople and recycled materials were used in its construction and it continues to be powered by a range of renewable energy sources

9. No single-use slippers - hotel slippers are made entirely of felt and guests are encouraged to take them home to increase their life cycle. In the Six Senses Spa Gstaad, slippers are made from jute, which is 100% biodegradable and recyclable

10. In-house herb garden - to avoid the daily delivery, storage and waste of fresh aromatic plants, the hotel has its own herbal garden growing dill, basil, marjoram, chives, tarragon, thyme, coriander, sage and mountain savory - which supply the kitchens and support biodiversity in the gardens

11. Long-lasting dispensers - to end single-use plastic bottles in the bathrooms, the hotel rooms are equipped with long-lasting dispensers

12. Sustainable straws - all made from compostable paper or bamboo

13. Whole World Water - The Alpina Gstaad has been a partner of this international charity since 2017, offering guests local mountain spring water in glass bottles with proceeds going back to the charity

14. Better coasters - all hotel bars and restaurants use coasters made from local wood, stained with water-based varnish

15. Sustainable snacking - in-room gourmet snack selections are packed in reusable and custom-made glass jars

16. Green purchasing policy - goods and services purchased favour local, regional, Swiss and natural products, as well as those with less packaging, reducing energy, water and waste, greenhouse emissions and aligning with fair trade standards

17. Free-from spa - therapists are committed to offering high quality treatments as well as retail products without microbeads or parabens

18. Healthy & regional getaways - complimentary e-bikes are available for guests, to encourage exploration of the natural surroundings, meeting local producers and craftsmen

19. A platform sparking dialogue - the hotel invites impactful discussions, to stimulate local efforts on issues around sustainability

20. Supporting local & international communities - The Alpina Gstaad supports initiatives which promote social development. Partners include Smiling Gecko, SEP Jordan, Choba CHoba, Alpenruhe Foundation and Whole World Water

21. Art to inspire activism - the hotel's private art collection encourages engagement as well as inviting discussion around challenges facing our world today