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Eco Hero: Debra Patterson

Sally Hill | 18.11.10

Debra has worked at The Savoy for thirteen years. For most of that time, she was PA to the General Manager.

Passionate about sustainable and environmental issues, she also devoted herself to leading The Savoy’s green agenda, becoming its green ambassador.

During the recent restoration of The Savoy, Debra has spent a growing amount of time concentrating on her environmental responsibilities.

Green writer Anna Shepard gets her take on the issues. -- ed.

 

How would you describe yourself?

My role is environmental ambassador and green team chairman. The green team consists of volunteers through the company, one member from each department, that meet regularly to identify areas to improve on. On a personal note, I thrive on green challenges. If someone tells me something isn’t possible, I love it. It gives me an opportunity to go off and prove them wrong.

What is your mission?

At the moment, it’s to try to help change mindsets on environmental and sustainable issues. I’m trying to show that even a small change can have a big impact, and that each of us can make a difference. I ’d like to inspire individuals to take the first steps within theirworkplace. You don’t have to be the boss of a company. Obviously, later on, you need support from the management level but anyone can kick start environmental changes. I stepped forward from the admin department so I’m proof of that.

What challenges do we face?

In the hospitality industry, it’s all about service. It can be difficult for owners, shareholders and the public not to confuse sustainability or being environmentally friendly with compromise. The challenge is to turn around the misconceptions that exists that being green means going without. That’s why we wanted a five-star hotel like The Savoy to blend luxury with environmental sustainability, to show that it’s possible.

What's your next project?

I’m afraid it’s a secret, but let’s just say that we’re working on several new projects that will take The Savoy’s carbon reduction scheme to a new level. 

Your biggest achievement?

I’m proud of the scheme that turns the hotel’s food waste into renewable energy. We’re sending it to an organic biomass power plant which will turn it into electricity. What’s amazing is that our scraps feed the national grid.

What green principles do you live by?

By recycling and reusing what I can, I try to make my household as low-impact as possible.

Is organic important to you?

Yes, for lots of reasons including health and animal husbandry. In my experience, organic produce is also more flavoursome. My grandmother grew all her own vegetables and had several varieties of apple and plum trees, as well as greengages and gooseberries. She was my inspiration.

What one thing do you wish everyone would do?

Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. Oh and dripping taps. I’m always going around switching them off. I also wish that people weren’t so afraid of standing out from the crowd. Sometimes companies are just waiting for someone with passion to take the lead – it worked for me.

What would you like to pass on to your children?

My children already have wise environmental heads. Their schools embrace the subject and it’s second nature to them. If I left them with one message it would be to ask that they never lose sight of the global picture; to have understanding and empathy for those less fortunate than ourselves. We don’t live in a bubble; what we do impacts everyone eventually

What holds the green movement back?

In our company, we try not to use the word ‘green’ too much. It can imply money-saving and cutting corners in the hospitality business. It also helps to introduce terms with more depth and clarity, such as carbon reduction and environmentally-friendly practices. I like the fact that we’re adding new vocabulary. It shows that we’re moving forward and the sector is expanding.

How can we spread the green message?

We shouldn’t underestimate the power of TV. Introducing a green theme or topic in popular soaps and dramas can be really effective, more so than any Government poster campaign or leaflet drop. Perhaps we should see glass-recycling bins behind the bar of the Queen Vic in EastEnders or have Ian discussing how to recycle his food waste in the café?

What cheers you up?

How far we’ve come. When I used to ask for environmental policy statements from suppliers, they wouldn’t get it at all. They’d send me something on a bit of headed paper; they didn’t really know how to respond. Now all our suppliers have environmental policies.

Who is your Eco Hero and why?

Although I know not everyone sees him as green, I admire Boris Johnson’s boundless energy and enthusiasm. It’s infectious - he has such character and determination. If there’s anyone who is going to get a plan underway quickly, it’s him, such as London’s bike scheme. He is also responsible for the Capital Growth scheme, which aims is to create over two thousand food-growing spaces by 2012 in London.
 

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green, eco hero, anna shepard, carbon, hotels, savoy, hospitality