SUSTAINABILITY
Factsheet
Sustainability: a core value of Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne
With its environmentally friendly approach to energy production and carefully considered logistics and construction, the sustainability concept in place at the Bürgenstock Resort represents a landmark in ecological thinking. The planners and developers of the new resort, which launched in 2017 after a 10-year refurbishment, were inspired by the pioneers of the resort, Franz Josef Bucher and Josef Durrer, known for their innovative ideas and visionary mindset. Indeed, in 1888, the two local partners opened the Bürgenstock Funicular, the first electric cable car in Switzerland, and built a water pipe to transport water from Lake Lucerne to the resort for drinking needs.
The developers of the new resort continued this legacy of forward thinking, and the protection and improvement of the environment have been a priority throughout the renovation phase. In 2018, the Bürgenstock Resort received the Sustainability Award from the European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA). With this Award, Europe’s leading hoteliers acknowledge the sustainability efforts from the Bürgenstock Resort in the areas of environmental protection, historic preservation as well as social responsibility.
A unique energy system: heating and cooling needs covered by lake water
A unique system using lake water to heat and cool all the buildings of the resort has been developed. This system covers 100% of the cooling and 80% of the heating needs of the resort. The remaining 20% accounts for peak loads at times of tough winter conditions. In such a situation, liquefied gas must be used to cover the heating needs.
The energy system works by pumping the lake water at a depth of 37m from Lake Lucerne where the water is a consistent 5°C. The water rises to a temperature of 7°C as it is transported. It is then pumped 500 meters uphill into a reservoir located at 926 meters above sea level. From there, water is steered to an energy station. From this station, a network of pipes has been built linking all buildings of the resort. Part of the water is heated until 50°C and distributed via the pipe network. In the buildings, the water can be heated to 60°C with heating pumps. Water with a 9°C temperature is used for air-conditioning . This efficient system avoids the need for cooling towers.
In addition to air-conditioning, cold water is used for the ice of the ice rink, as well as for all fridges and freezers in the resort. The cooled or heated water is brought back to its original temperature and transported back to the lake via a second reservoir tank. While travelling downhill, the water passes through a turbine, in turn producing electricity for the resort. With this electricity, 50% of the pump flow can be covered. Lake water is also used for the swimming pools, irrigation of the golf course and plant watering throughout the entire resort. Thanks to this system, the resort is almost CO2 neutral and provides the latest building insulation standards. The water in the Alpine Spa outdoor pools is furthermore stock in tanks overnight, to avoid losing warmth.
CO2-neutral hydro-electric power
The electricity at the Bürgenstock Resort is 100% CO2-neutral certified and is distributed from a regional station in the Canton of Nidwalden.
Gabions: a smart way to recycle excavated materials
The materials excavated on site have been recycled into the construction and renovation of the resort. For example, 25,000 m² of excavated material have been used to recreate the historic 1928 golf course, resulting in a safer course. The driving range has also been reconstructed with an additional 40,000m² of excavated material. Gabions, which are cages filled with rocks, have been used where possible to minimize the use of concrete walls, as for the construction of the Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence. The use of a total of 165,000 m² excavated material has spared 18,000 lorry journeys up and down the valley. This equates to nine times around the planet.
Fauna and flora: two valuable guests of the resort
Fauna and natural habitats have been carefully preserved throughout the resort. The abovementioned gabions have a second environmental benefit, providing a valuable habitat for flora and fauna. Together with larch wood, these gabions can be found on the walls of the Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence, which are partly and naturally covered with plants. When the track for the Bürgenstock Funicular was rebuilt, special paths were integrated to allow the local wildlife such as hedgehogs, deer, rabbits and foxes to cross the tracks safely. Bees are also inhabitants of the area. To cater for this chalet-style beehives have been built underneath the Palace Hotel facing south: an ideal orientation for the colonies.
A show room invites guests to see the production process behind a glass pane. Six guests at a time can come and admire the fascinating work of the bees. The beehives are made of 13 colonies and
are operated by beekeepers of the Canton of Nidwalden. The Bürgenstock Honey is then sold in the SkyBoutique of the Bürgenstock Resort. The resort is also respectful of the local flora. To offset some of the construction 4,400 m2 of mixed woodland has been planted. A vineyard has also been planted on the south side of the resort. White grapes called ‘solaris’ have been carefully selected as the perfect match for the resort’s altitude. The vineyard is operated and managed by a local and organic winemaker. Surrounding the vineyard, old fruit trees of the resort were replanted. As an anecdote, in order to preserve a protected tree one corner of the infinity edge pool of the Bürgenstock Alpine Spa had to be re-aligned.
Public transportation: a Swiss way of life
Switzerland is well known for its unique public transportation system, which works just like clockwork. Public transport is a crucial part of the Swiss culture due to the importance of sustainability. 20% of the transport of Swiss citizens is carried out via public transportation. The Bürgenstock Resort is no exception offering a unique access by the Bürgenstock Shuttle Boat and the Bürgenstock Funicular, to which hotel guests have free access. In addition, the resort can be reached by train and public bus. Employees of the Bürgenstock Resort benefits from special rates for public transportation to the resort and have free access to the Bürgenstock Funicular.
Pay slips: paperless for the 700 employees
Thanks to the internal communication tool Beekeeper set up across all the departments of the resort, the 700 employees of the resort receive paperless pay slips. This allows great environmental and financial benefits, reducing waste of paper and energy and posting fees.
Food waste: minimizing our impact
Thanks to the latest management tools, precise forecasts are made to ensure the purchasing of goods are more precise. This leads to a reduction of food waste across the resort. In addition to this, regular breakfast is no longer available in buffet but ser ved à la carte as well as on an étagère.
Food sourcing: a hyper -local approach
Primarily sourced from nearby farms, the gastronomy at Bürgenstock Resort is hyper-local, which both benefits the community that surrounds the resort and provides fresh and sustainable cuisine for the resort’s guests. Cheese is sourced from the cows seen grazing in the meadows just 500 meters from the resort, and the resort’s very own Bürgenstock Cheese is produced by this local cheesemaker. Bürgenstock Resort also works with a nearby farmer to grow its berries in a
greenhouse, while the property’s Waldhotel nurtures in own garden bed of herbs, which are utilized in the hotel’s Verbena restaurant. Fresh fish is caught from Lake Lucerne, while meat is sourced from a local butcher located down the valley.
PRODUCE PRODUCER OUTLET
Meat
Metzger Gabriel, Wolfenschiessen Holzen Fleisch, Ennetbürgen Amstutz Pirmin, Obbürgen
All outlets
Bürgenstockler
5 Star Bürgenstock Cheese
Mutschli
Sbrinz
Other local cheeses
Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.)
Bürgenstock Wine (Solaris grape growing below Palace Hotel)
Bürgenstock Honey (Beehives next to the vineyards)
Butter
Quail eggs
90 eggs every Friday
Sage, Rosemary, Lavender, Oregano small-leaved, Lemon verbena, Lemon balm, Mint, Savory, Curry herb, Horseradish, Field Thyme, Marigold, Chamomile
Tarragon, Rosemary, Sorrel, Echinaceae, Lavender
Sage, Mint, Maggi herb
Bürgenbräu
Josef Bircher Käserei Boden, Obbürgen All outlets
Molki, Stans Bergkäserei Roelli, Buochs
Nik Amstutz, Obbürgen
Weingut Heidegg
All outlets
All outlets
All outlets
Brigitta und Charly Burch, Obbürgen Sky Boutique
Josef Bircher Käserei Boden, Obbürgen Brasserie Ritzcoffier
Wachtelshopf, Barmettler Christian, Obbürgen
All outlets
Irene Amstutz, Obbürgen All outlets
Waldhotel Level 5 (herbs beds), Obbürgen All outlets
Waldhotel Level 3 (herbarium), Obbürgen All outlets
Garden of Spycher Club, Obbürgen All outlets
Lüssi Getränke, Stans All outlets