Motel One, Munich

Verena Ferner: Put simply: wherever possible! In the Motel One Group, 18 colleagues are responsible for sustainability issues in their respective departments. We continuously analyze all Motel One processes critically with regard to their relevance for sustainability. On this basis, we develop and implement specific measures. This starts with decisions such as the use of green electricity and the selection of organic and fair trade products at the breakfast buffet, but also includes topics such as the avoidance of microplastics in cosmetics in the guest rooms. And it extends to common, internationally recognized certification standards such as BREEAM, DGNB and LEED® for our buildings or OEKO-TEX® and cradle-to-cradle certified products for the room furnishings. 

Verena Ferner: When redesigning the Motel One Munich-Deutsches Museum, our aim was to make the most of the opportunities offered by the circular economy. It started as a pilot project in which we want to recycle as many of the materials that are renewed or replaced during the redesign as possible. We are already trying to extend the usage cycles of the interior fittings as long as possible through timeless design and high quality. But at the end of the cycle there is always a redesign. The possibility of giving discarded furniture and interior fittings a further life cycle is therefore an important part of sustainable thinking for us. 

Stefan Zollikofer: Yes! As a supplier of raw materials for the production of engineered wood, Pfleiderer is one of our most important customers. A Pfleiderer architectural consultant mentioned this connection in a conversation with the Motel One Group when discussing the topic of the circular economy. 

Verena Ferner: Motel One has been pursuing the topic of sustainability on its own initiative for many years. We have already received an increasing number of inquiries from corporate customers requesting Motel One's sustainability factors for their own sustainability audits. But circularity doesn't really play a role here yet. The focus is more on operational measures or climate protection. But it is clear to us that we need to look at the integration of the circular economy and the certification of buildings, for example. On the one hand, to meet the regulatory requirements of tomorrow. And secondly, to help shape the development of the industry and extend our lead as a sustainability champion.

Stefan Zollikofer: We accepted 120 tons of material that would otherwise most likely have been incinerated. Classification: The Waste Wood Ordinance applies in Germany. It regulates which classes of waste wood may be recycled. This clearly regulates which recycled wood can be used for material recycling. This means that Motel One's approach is exactly the right one. Breaking up linear chains, thinking in terms of the circular economy and thus increasing the rate. Ideally, the material we process is then taken over by customers such as Pfleiderer, who use intelligent processes to clean it further and remove impurities - and thus reintroduce wood-based materials of the highest quality into the cycle. 

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