1. Environment

At the Augusta Vallès Hotel, we have a firm commitment to protect the environment. As part of the ongoing process to further reduce CO2 emissions and preserve our natural resources, we have carried out these actions in the following areas:
• Water management. Different measures have been taken to reduce water consumption such as installing smart bathroom fittings, promoting the reduction of consumption among guests, applying gardening techniques adapted to the climate, and employing drip irrigation.
• Reduction of power consumption. Thanks to the use of new technologies (LEDs) in lighting and investments made in highly efficient equipment, it has been possible to reduce power consumption per room by 50%.
• Green energy. Our supplier, Universal Energía (https://universal-energia.com), only supplies green, 100% renewable energy guaranteed by the CNMC.
• Waste management. All waste generated by the hotel is treated separately for better classification by the municipal waste management provider.
• Environmentally friendly cleaning materials: in cleaning rooms, the restaurant, the kitchen, common rooms and areas, biodegradable materials that have neutral environmental impact are used.
• Locally-Sourced Products. At our restaurant, Trànsit, you can give local produce a try (depending on the time of year): Ganxet white beans, honey and eggs from Palou (Granollers), pa de pagès bread from Vilanova, D.O. Alella wines, pometa and cor de bou tomatoes from the Vallès Oriental region, vegetables from Parets, etc.
• Use of stationery products with the Ecological Responsibility seal.

2. Safety

When making any decision, ensuring the safety of workers, guests, users and suppliers always comes first.
• Food. All kitchen and restaurant staff hold food hygiene certificates and receive ongoing training through refresher sessions in this regard.
o We specify which foods may contain allergens and what type of allergen it is.
• Amenities. We care for our guests’ skin, which is why all gels and soaps provided by us as part of the toiletries are made using natural ingredients and are hypoallergenic.
• Occupational safety. The number of workplace accidents that have occurred on our premises is nearly zero thanks to specific training and investment in the most advanced safety measures.
• Fire safety regulations. The hotel has a programme in place to update, renew and adapt its facilities to new fire safety legislation. At present, all of the hotel’s doors are being replaced.

3. Social action

MARÍA FRANCISCA DE ROVIRALTA Foundation
A significant part of the profits made by the Augusta Vallès Hotel go to the María Francisca de Roviralta Foundation (http://roviralta.org/), which makes use of these funds for charitable projects all over the world.
Fundación REIR
The hotel recently donated audiovisual materials and kitchenware to Fundación REIR - Recursos Educatius per a la Infancia en Risc (http://www.reir.cat) for its headquarters and the welfare flats that the organisation has in the Vallès Oriental region.
REIR is an association that was founded in 2007 upon the initiative of a group of professionals who have been working with children at risk in Catalonia for a long time. It currently focuses most of its activities in the Vallès Oriental and Osona by offering services such as protection in dysfunctional families, educational support, social assistance for the family, and provides help to any group at risk of social exclusion, whether minors or not (foreigners, women, the elderly).
VILANOVA del VALLÈS City Council
In order to help our closest neighbours to the extent possible, the hotel has signed an agreement with the Vilanova del Vallès City Council offering hotel rooms as temporary accommodation to families in the municipality which, due to risk factors or actual weather-related, social, health standard reasons, etc., have lost their homes or are unable to live in it.

4. Employees

• Ongoing training. We consider it our utmost priority for our workers to be up-to-date and familiar with new trends, regulations, procedures and processes. This is why they receive ongoing training through courses on specific areas such as: software, electrical installations, languages, local knowledge, marketing of tourist products, benefits of marketing and social media, aside from mandatory courses on food handling, water and waste treatment, etc.
• Equality. At the AUGUSTA VALLÈS HOTEL, we strive to provide equal opportunities to all workers, from our selection processes to our promotion and professional development models.
• Internship programme. Experience is the best teacher and we are always ready to share it. In the spirit of collaboration, we participate in internship programmes with different hospitality schools in Spain and abroad such as:
o Institut Marta Mata (Montornès del Vallès).
o Liceé Nôtre Dame de la Providence (Orchies).
o Business School ESC Troyes (Sant Julien Les Metz).
o Lumsa Universitá (Rome).
o Impulsa (Madrid).
o Université Paul Sabatier (Toulouse).
o …
• Internal communication. An internal communication system has been set up in the company through department meetings, a suggestions box, a bulletin board and monthly follow-up meetings that are transparent for all workers.

5. Our contribution towards sustainable development

• Investments: a significant part of the investments made during the three-year period of 2015-2017 has focused on improving energy efficiency and reducing consumption.
o Change of heat pump.
o Use of LEDs in most areas.
o Replacement of heating/air conditioning equipment.
o Change of domestic hot water systems.
o Smart bathroom fittings.
• Reduction in annual CO2 emissions: the reduction in power consumption over the past three years (2016 vs. 2014) represents an annual reduction in CO2 emissions to the atmosphere equivalent to 361 metric tons—the same as what 2,500 cars would consume while running 1,000 km each (data calculated using Arboliza’s CO2 calculator).
• Certifications:
Joining the “Biosphere Commitment to Sustainable Tourism – coast of Barcelona destination” certified by the Responsible Tourism Institute with the Biosphere Destination seal.