Sustainability

Fairmont Copley Plaza is proud to offer guests an environment free of single-use plastics. The goal to eliminate plastic from the hotel has been years of hard work in the making, and a #1 priority for our sustainability committee to implement in all areas of our operation. Most noticeably we removed all plastic water bottles, replaced single-use mini Le Labo toiletries with large format bottles in guest room showers, debuted compostable straws in food & beverage outlets, and discarded outstanding items like plastic cups, condiments and wrapped snack foods.

Fairmont Copley Plaza was the first Boston hotel to formalize a distribution partnership with Everybody Water, a locally headquartered business on the south shore of Massachusetts that is women-owned. We are delighted to serve this sustainable product in-room and at the front desk to hydrate guests. The cartons are 100% recyclable and the caps are made from sugarcane, a plant-based renewable material. Plus, Everybody Water donates 3% of their annual gross revenue to support clean water and sanitation infrastructure projects that bring running water directly into homes for the first time.

For a centurion hotel, Fairmont Copley Plaza strives to embrace technology and think innovatively to make impactful eco-friendly policies. We are a member of the Too Good To Go mobile app to sell surplus unsold and uneaten food at a discount to cut our food waste (FYI: 40% of food is wasted in the U.S.) Our teams pack leftover food from Fairmont Gold’s breakfast service and OAK Long Bar + Kitchen’s dinner service—like croissants, yogurt parfaits, roasted chicken, clam chowder, and side salads—selling meals at 1/3rd of the retail value for our community to purchase.

Fairmont Copley Plaza actively participates in the Boston Building Reduction & Disclosure Ordinance program (BERDO) to decrease air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions generated by our building over time. In line with Accor’s commitment, we will reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. High efficiency LED lightbulbs and smart thermostats are installed in all 383 guest rooms to conserve energy resources and for ultimate comfort. The hotel’s central plant for heating, cooling and hot water production is controlled by an automation system to achieve maximum efficiency for daily operations.

Did you know that green crabs are an invasive species globally, and have the potential to destroy some of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems? Along the coast of New England, they can be found anywhere: from tide pools, to salt-marshes, to scuttling across the beach. OAK Long Bar + Kitchen works with Green Crab Org on their “problem to plate” mission that encourages green crab consumption to mitigate their invasive impact. In support, our chefs have deliberately introduced menu items using this pesky crustacean, like a Maine Lobster Pappardelle with green crab sauce.

Fairmont Copley Plaza is fortunate to have Boston’s biggest farmers market outside its doors when in season. The Copley Square Farmers Market hosts dozens of Massachusetts farmers and makers that sell a vibrant array of produce, proteins, dairy and other goods. Our culinary team sources farm bounty for rotating weekly specials, including pizzas with garden-fresh toppings and a farm-to-bar program that steeps ingredients (like beets, lemon verbena and apple cider) into handcrafted cocktails. We buy direct from farm neighbors to help strengthen our community and local economy.