Protecting the Environment

We take our commitment to the earth seriously through energy reduction, recycling, and other resort-wide initiatives

Dolce La Hulpe Brussels is concerned about environmental issues and seeks to minimize our impact on the environment by taking action on different levels.

“Whatever the season, Dolce La Hulpe Brussels with its 72 hectares of enchanting forest, offers many benefits for its customers and employees. We are privileged to observe the beauty of nature that surrounds us. It is thus quite natural that the question about its protection arose and that the hotel wishes to act upon it,” explains Erik Jansen, Managing Director of the resort.

We’ve assembled a green committee of motivated employees from various departments to help reduce the carbon footprint of the hotel. We are conscious there is still much more to do, but this is what we’ve accomplished so far.

A Reduction of Energy Consumption in the Short and Medium Term

In the summer of 2011, we installed a cutting-edge 250 kWp photovoltaic solar plant, comprised of 1067 high-yield panels made of polycrystalline. In total, it generates about 210,000 KwH of energy per year. Since the roof of Dolce La Hulpe Brussels is flat, the solar panels are not visible, but you can learn more about them through our video, plus check out our green energy daily report.

• We established a centralized technical management system to control the air-intake outlet and keep the heating/cooling systems in line with indoor and outdoor temperatures or on a timer system.
• All of our 264 guest rooms are equipped with a double-glassed frame and card reader.
• We have replaced 3,598 light bulbs with 3Watt LED lights and installed motion detectors in the hallways.
• We have replaced 264 showerheads to reduce water flow from 16.5L/minute to 5.8L/minute. In other words, a saving of 9.7L/minute per showerhead.
• In the conference center, lights and audio-visual equipment are turned on just before the client’s arrival.
• 90% of our printers are configured for double-sided and black and white printing.

As a result, the resort’s peak-time energy consumption will be cut by 10 to 12% over the next several years.

A Green Purchase Policy

At Dolce La Hulpe Brussels, we give preference to locally produced, bio, natural, and recycled products. Here’s the breakdown:

• In general: We use cleaning products without bleach, more than 95% of the hotel uses acrylic paint, and we are conscientious to the eco-label certificates of our suppliers.
• Food and beverage: More than 60% of our products are locally produced within a radius of 100 km, we reduce our usage of individually packaged products, and all drinks are presented in a glass bottle instead of plastic.
  1. 1. Usage of organic or natural ingredients
  2. 2. Without paraben or phenoxyethanol
  3. 3. Without silicone or mineral oil
  4. 4. Without artificial coloring
  5. 5. Tested under dermatological control
• Rooms: We select furniture made from ecological products or sustainable forests and we have installed timers on the towel dryer in all bathrooms. Additionally, to reduce individual packaging, bath products are presented in a biodegradable dispenser.
• Conference Center: We supply recycled paper and provide three types of recycling bins.
• Dolce offices: Associates are informed of sustainable consumption and print only when necessary, with printers that use recycled ink cartridges and certified European eco-label paper. In addition, brochures are printed with Imprim Vert®, or in accordance with strict guidelines that respect the environment.

Smarter Waste Recycling

• We work with a water treatment plant to recycle our water. The purified water is then carried out to the canals.
• Vegetable fat from the kitchen is recycled in a natural way with the help of enzymes.
• Recycling bins are available in the conference center and in central employee areas.

Support of the Local Environment

• For the last three years, Dolce La Hulpe Brussels has supported the local association Contrat de Rivière – Argentine, which spearheads cleanup of the local Argentine river and protection of the flora, fauna, and landscape.
• In 2013, we placed several beehives on our property to enhance the pollination of the 72-hectare Sonian forest. Bees are a vital contributor to the food chain; without them, 75% of our fruit and vegetables would disappear.
• Each year, we plant about 2,000 bulbs on site.
• We installed two electrical panels in the parking lot to recharge electric cars.
• Once a month, we offer a free conference room to organizations and associations who wish to make the population aware of sustainable developments. Seminars must be free and open to the public.
• Since 2009, the resort has participated in the Earth Hour, an international effort to help fight climate change organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Opportunities for Guests to Contribute to Environment Preservation

• Ask housekeeping to not change linens and towels everyday by following instructions outlined in guest rooms.
• Choose the “Food for the Brain” buffet, which offers locally produced products.
• Participate in hikes, walks or bike rides in the surrounding Sonian forest. We believe that awareness is created through this positive experience. Inviting our guests to enjoy the scenery and fresh air encourages respect and protection of the nature around us.

Recognition for Our Efforts

We are very pleased to be have been awarded the Gold Green Star from the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) the past two years, as well as The Green Key from the French Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe.