Here at the Circus, the concept of sustainability and running a “Green” hotel means a commitment to an ethical approach to all aspects of our business. This goes as far as the field in which we have chosen to operate – namely the low budget hostel and hotel market. The owners of The Circus – all of whom are keen travellers themselves – do not believe that in the long term it is sustainable for hotels to operate at a level where it is viewed acceptable to charge  €2-300 for an overnight stay, not least when it comes to the resources required to justify such a price.

Our philosophy is to offer our guests the highest standard of service and, by removing what we believe to be unnecessary and wasteful, make an offer that not only limits the environmental impact of what we do, but allows us to keep prices reasonable.

For us, sustainability means the following:

·         All staff members have full social and health insurance, and are paid a reasonable wage that allows them an existence in the city that does not require them to take a second or third job. All the staff are fully legal when it comes to working papers, and there are no ‘black’ jobs in the Circus.

·         Our prices are predictable, and are calculated – we believe – fairly. We are not interested in squeezing the last euro out of our guests just because the city is busy. Our prices are the same in August, as they are in February, with the only exception over the New Year period.

·         We are committed to using outside partners – such as for repair and maintenance – that are local, small, owner-operated companies from the neighbourhood. We like to know our partners personally, and develop a long-term relationship.

·         The Circus is owned by partners who have a direct involvement in the day-to-day workings of the Hotel, and we have managed to keep investors and ‘big cash’ out of the company. This allows us the autonomy to make economically ‘illogical’ decisions if we believe they are healthy for the company, guests, staff and our surroundings in the long run.

·         In the Restaurant Fabisch we use local suppliers that are committed to ethical standards of food production and agriculture. Many of the products that we use are organic, and all our meats come from suppliers committed to fair treatment of animals. Wherever possible, we buy produce that comes from Berlin and the surrounding area.

·         Our breakfast buffet has been developed in reaction to the buffets we have experienced in other hotels around the world. Food is a resource, and one which is finite. In order to maintain an illusion of choice, hotels over the past few decades have continued to increase the volume of food on their breakfast buffets. Much of it is unnecessary. Every day in Western Europe and the United States we throw away enough food to feed every person on the planet living under the poverty line. This is both outrageous, and unlike many “sustainability” issues, easy to change without sacrificing anything but the illusion of choice. We keep our buffet small but stocked with the highest quality of produce. Less waste, but no compromise on taste.

·         The Circus Hotel has no car-park, as we encourage our guests to come to Berlin using public transportation. At the same time, we have put together a transport or mobility offer for our guests – public transport tickets, bike rental, Segways and Smart Car rental – that offer flexibility of choice but which, at the same time, minimises the impact on the environment.

We have also implemented a number of structures and policies designed to lessen the environmental impact of running a Hotel such as ours. There are limits to what we do, both financial and that the Hotel is housed in an old building which is in an area of special protection, but we have made a start through the following:

·         A combined heating and power unit which utilises waste heat to increase energy efficiency and reduce the need to purchase electricity.

·         During the renovation of the building the wall insulation was improved, and “energy-efficient” windows were fitted.

·         Solar Voltaic panels were installed on the roof which generate electricity

·         We purchase ‘Green Electricity’ from the power company, which comes from 100% alternative energies that are C02-free.

·         All papers used in the house are recycled.

·         Approximately 80% of lamps are fitted with energy-saving bulbs.

·         Lights in the rooms can only be switched on with a guestcard, which minimises the chance that lights are left on when they are not needed.

·         Lights in the hallways are fitted with a timer to reduce unnecessary use.

·         The rooms have no mini-bar, which saves energy. In exchange each room is supplied with a carafe for tap water. This was a conscious decision in recognition at the shear waste involved in the mineral water industry, from packaging through to transport, which we believe is unnecessary.

·         Bathroom products, whilst free, are not left in the rooms but are available on the reception to reduce potential wastage.

·         The bathroom products themselves, supplied by a company called Weleda, are all made with 100% natural ingredients, with no chemicals or conservatives whatsoever.

·         All areas of the Hotel – Reception, Housekeeping, Maintenance and the Restaurant Fabisch are implementing a strategy to reduce unnecessary waste, especially when it comes to packaging.

·         All waste created in the Hotel is separated for recycling.

·         The Hotel does not have an air-conditioning unit – quite deliberately – as we believe that in a city such as Berlin it is an unnecessary burning of resources.

If you have any comments or questions about what we are doing at the Circus Hotel, or indeed any suggestions as to how we might do things better, please do not hesitate to let us know. Reducing the impact of tourism on the environment, and the concept of ethical and responsible  tourism in general, will always be a partnership. Tread lightly, take nothing but memories, and leave nothing behind but good times...