Luxury with a Lighter Footprint: The St. Regis, Toronto
How The St. Regis Toronto Increased Waste Diversion by Over 100% with Green Key Global
The Challenge
Nestled in the heart of downtown, The St. Regis Toronto is synonymous with elegance, service, and sophistication. It is a proud 5-Key member of Green Key Global’s Eco-Rating program. In 2023, The St. Regis Toronto recognized an opportunity to strengthen its environmental impact—an ambition shared by many leading urban luxury properties.
A waste audit revealed a diversion rate of 16.5%, highlighting potential for significant improvement. At the same time, the hotel set its sights on reducing energy use and carbon emissions, all while maintaining the uncompromising guest experience for which it is known.
With Marriott International’s Serve 360 sustainability goals guiding the way, the team embraced the challenge with purpose—committing to a more structured, measurable strategy to enhance performance across waste and energy management.
The Solution
To accelerate its sustainability journey, The St. Regis Toronto partnered with Green Key Global, enrolling in the Eco-Rating Certification Program—a comprehensive framework that supports meaningful environmental performance across hotel operations. Through this initiative, the property adopted a holistic and proactive sustainability strategy spanning multiple departments and key operational areas.
Key Waste & Sustainability Initiatives Included:
- Targeted Waste Separation: Introduced enhanced back-of-house recycling protocols and clear signage to streamline sorting.
- Staff Training: Rolled out comprehensive training across departments to align with Green Key criteria and foster a culture of sustainability.
- Vendor Collaboration: Collaborated with suppliers to minimize packaging waste and promote responsible product sourcing.
- Continuous Improvement: Conducted regular waste audits to track progress and identify high-impact areas for improvement.
Key Energy Optimization Initiative:
- BizEnergySaver Program Implementation: Focused on upgrades such as LED lighting and Variable Frequency Devices (VFDs), this initiative is projected to deliver:
- Demand Savings: 19.37 kW
- Estimated 5-Year Cost Savings: >$100,000
These initiatives were supported through the tools, best practices, and accountability mechanisms embedded within Green Key Global’s certification process
The Results
After just one year of partnership with Green Key Global, The St. Regis Toronto made impressive, measurable strides in advancing its sustainability goals.
Through their energy-saving program, The St. Regis Toronto has achieved outstanding results:
- Annual Energy Savings: 135,000 kWh
- Carbon Emissions Reduced: 16,596 kgCO₂/year
Meanwhile, the hotel’s focused waste reduction efforts led to the diversion of over 300 metric tonnes of waste from landfill in just one year—demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and operational excellence.
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
|
Annual Diversion Rate |
16.5% |
37.1% |
|
Recyclables Diverted (MT) |
208.63 |
415.05 |
|
Waste to Landfill (MT) |
1,053.61 |
705.25 |
This marked an impressive 124.8% increase in total waste diverted from landfill—an achievement that underscores the hotel’s growing impact. These sustainability gains also enabled the property to:
- Reduce landfill tipping fees through improved waste separation and composting initiatives
- Streamline operations in Food & Beverage and housekeeping
- Meet corporate ESG targets, boosting internal engagement and guest satisfaction
According to Mr. Hiren Prabhakar, General Manager at The St. Regis, Toronto, “At The St. Regis Toronto, our commitment to sustainability goes beyond meeting today’s needs—it is about shaping a more responsible and sustainable tomorrow. Above all, we strive to enhance the well-being of our guests, ensuring every stay contributes to a greener future without compromising on luxury, comfort, or impeccable service.
Our goal is to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, and to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2050. Through our partnership with Green Key Global, we are confident in our path forward. At The St. Regis Toronto, we are committed to creating a positive, lasting impact—making the communities where we operate better places to live, work, and visit.”
Key Takeaways
- Certification Drives Measurable Impact: Green Key Global’s structured framework empowered the team to align efforts across departments and effectively track environmental performance.
- Training is Essential: Staff engagement played a crucial role in driving waste diversion success.
- Data-Driven Decisions Matter: Routine audits helped the hotel identify problem areas and show meaningful progress.
- Luxury and Sustainability Can Coexist: Guests continued to enjoy a premium experience while the hotel significantly reduced its footprint
Priyan Jayetileke, Director of Engineering at The St. Regis Toronto stated that “We are proud to be setting the standard for urban luxury hotels embracing environmental responsibility. Green Key Global has been a pivotal part of that transformation.”
Recommendations
Whether you’re an industry leader, an independent hotelier, or a conscious traveller, here’s how you can make a difference
Hoteliers:
- Start your journey with Green Key Global Certification to drive results and gain recognition
- Use sustainable vendors to accelerate your progress
Vendors & Consultants:
- Join Green Key Global’s Vendor Program to connect with and support certified properties and gain visibility in our network
Travellers:
- Choose and recommend Green Key Certified hotels when you travel to support responsible travel and reduce your footprint
- Look for the Green Key logo as a mark of trusted sustainability