Located in Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park, Fairmont Banff Springs combines luxury with a strong commitment to sustainability. Awarded the Five Green Key Eco-Rating in 2023, the hotel and its golf course are also certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries, highlighting efforts to protect wildlife and conserve resources. From energy efficiency to waste reduction and eco-friendly guest experiences, sustainability is central to Fairmont Banff Springs’ approach to responsible luxury travel.

Here’s how Fairmont Banff Springs incorporates sustainability into our daily operations based on the Sustainable Development Goals:

Stay: Minimizing the Impact of Hotel Operations

Our People

All new team members at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel receive training on the hotel’s current sustainability initiatives, the significance of environmental stewardship within national parks, and ways they can actively contribute to the hotel’s sustainability goals.

In addition, the hotel has a dedicated Sustainability Committee led by a passionate sustainability champion who oversees the execution of various initiatives throughout the property. This committee identifies opportunities for improvement, develops strategies to address challenges, and engages the entire hotel team through innovative events and programs focused on sustainability.

Property Cleanup

Each year, Fairmont Banff Springs conducts a thorough cleanup of the hotel grounds and surrounding community to help keep the area as pristine and beautiful as nature intended.

Glacier Water Conservation

Fairmont Banff Springs is proud to offer some of the purest drinking water in the world. Sourced from a glacier-fed ground well within Banff National Park, the water is treated to the highest standards by the Town of Banff before being delivered to the hotel for the enjoyment of guests and colleagues alike. Guests are encouraged to fill their reusable bottles at designated refill stations or directly from the tap in their rooms to experience this pristine resource.

To help preserve Banff’s precious glacier water, the hotel has taken steps to reduce water consumption across the property. These include the installation of certified low flow plumbing fixtures in all guest rooms, the use of a liquid pool cover to minimize evaporation, and ongoing water conservation training for staff.

The most significant water savings have been achieved at the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course. The grounds team has re-naturalized 510,000 square feet of land near tee boxes and fairways across all 27 holes by planting native montane grasses. These drought-tolerant plants not only enhance the natural mountain setting but also require less irrigation and maintenance. As a result, 115 sprinkler heads were decommissioned, leading to an impressive annual water savings of 3.5 million gallons. Regular irrigation audits are also conducted to ensure optimal water distribution and identify any system repairs needed.

Toiletry Recycling

Leftover soap and hygiene products from guest rooms, which would otherwise be discarded, are donated to Clean the World—a global organization that recycles these items and distributes them to vulnerable communities in more than 120 countries.

Accor Single Use Plastic Commitment

Plastic waste is a significant challenge in the hospitality industry, and Accor has taken meaningful steps to address it. All properties have removed non-essential single-use plastic items from the guest experience, allowing guests to enjoy their stay with less environmental impact. Accor continues to phase out single-use plastics from internal operations, working toward a goal of becoming fully plastic-free across all properties by 2030.

Explore: Promoting New Ways of Travelling

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

To support and promote electric vehicle use among our guests and colleagues, Fairmont Banff Springs partnered with Sun Country Highway Ltd. to install electric vehicle charging stations in our parkade. In addition to this, six dedicated Tesla charging stations were also installed to further enhance convenience for our guests.

Encouraging Sustainable Travel with Public Transportation

For guests staying at Fairmont Banff Springs, we provide complimentary ROAM transit passes to help them explore the Town of Banff while reducing personal vehicle use.

Eat – Addressing the Impact of our Food & Beverage Operations

Sustainable Cuisine

Sustainability is deeply rooted in the culinary philosophy at Fairmont Banff Springs. Executive Chef Atticus Garant collaborates closely with local purveyors to source the finest ingredients, with a goal of having 75% of our products come from Alberta and other Canadian provinces.

Our commitment to craftsmanship is reflected in the on-site production of pastries, cured meats, and preserves, as well as a dedicated butcher shop that supplies the hotel with premium, locally-sourced cuts. To further minimize our carbon footprint, we grow microgreens in urban cultivators at STOCK Food & Drink and cultivate herbs, greens, and small vegetables in our on-site greenhouse. The Castle remains dedicated to sourcing local, organic, Fair Trade, and sustainable food products whenever possible.

Food Waste Reduction

Fairmont Banff Springs received the Zero Waste Trailblazers Award from the Town of Banff in 2020, recognizing the hotel’s leadership in environmental sustainability. As part of its efforts, the hotel has introduced zero waste recipes in its kitchens and implemented the Orbisk system—an advanced tool that tracks and analyzes food waste to help reduce it over time through consistent measurement and follow-up.

In our first year using Orbisk, an AI enabled machine, we successfully doubled our food waste reduction rate from 7% to 15% in our guest dining operations. Without impacting the guest experience or overall guest volumes, we’ve consistently saved approximately 200kg of food waste each month.

Notable Awards:

Fairmont Banff Springs believes that exceptional hospitality and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand, setting a benchmark for sustainable luxury in one of the world’s most treasured natural settings.

Looking for a sustainable place to stay after your adventures in Banff? Check out our best Banff hotel offers.