Commitment to Sustainability
At Griffith Halls of Residence (GHR), we believe sustainability isn’t just a long-term goal - it’s part of the daily guest experience. Whether you’re staying for a few nights or several weeks, your time with us supports a wider effort to reduce environmental impact, promote responsible living, and protect Ireland’s natural heritage. Our initiatives are designed not only to lower our carbon footprint, but to make it easy for you - our short-stay guests - to take small, meaningful steps toward greener living while enjoying your stay in Dublin.
Waste Reduction and Recycling: Making Every Item Count
Waste management is one of the cornerstones of our sustainability mission. Each apartment at Griffith Halls of Residence is equipped with a dedicated green recycling bin, making it simple for guests to separate recyclables from general waste. We accept cardboard, paper, plastic bottles, metal cans, and food tins. We also go a step further by collecting hard-to-recycle items such as used batteries and light bulbs. These can be handed to staff for safe and responsible disposal.
In 2024, we enhanced our recycling capacity through a waste management partnership with Griffith College Dublin. This collaborative effort has increased our ability to handle mixed recyclables and significantly reduced landfill waste from our campus. In addition to personal apartment recycling, our campus features a 660L bin dedicated to glass and five 1100L general waste bins - though our aim is to steadily reduce reliance on these each year.
As a short-stay guest, we invite you to make use of these systems during your visit. Every item recycled is a step toward a cleaner planet.
Energy and Water Efficiency: Smarter Living for a Lower Impact
Griffith Halls of Residence has made significant investments to improve energy efficiency and water conservation - benefits you’ll notice as a guest. All rooms, the underground car park, and common corridors use LED lighting, which consumes up to 80% less electricity than conventional bulbs. In your apartment, you’ll find that 60% of appliances are already energy-efficient, with our goal set on increasing this figure by 5% annually.
In 2025, we completed an upgrade of our heating systems across all apartments, transitioning to a centralised, more efficient model. This not only provides a more consistent and comfortable environment for guests, but significantly reduces energy waste.
Water conservation is equally important to us. Across all apartments, we’ve installed low-flow aerators on showers, kitchen taps, and bathroom sinks, and fitted toilet tank banks to reduce the amount of water used per flush. These changes alone are projected to save over 3,000 cubic metres of water annually.
Even during a short stay, small actions - like turning off lights and heaters when not in use or only boiling the water you need - can help make a real difference.
Renewable Energy and College-Wide Sustainability
As part of Griffith College’s broader commitment to sustainability, all electricity on our Dublin campus - including in the Halls of Residence - is now sourced from 100% renewable wind energy. This major step forward, achieved through a partnership with a leading wind farm, ensures that your stay is powered by clean, sustainable energy.
Solar PV technology is also being introduced. The first solar array was successfully installed on the AF Building in 2023, paving the way for further renewable energy installations on all campuses. These changes align with Griffith’s goal to eventually meet 100% of its electricity needs through sustainable sources.
Additionally, we’ve made significant upgrades to building infrastructure - replacing outdated boilers, improving insulation, and installing heating timers to minimise unnecessary energy use. As a result, we’ve already reduced our annual CO2 output by over 66 metric tonnes in the Halls alone.
Nature, Biodiversity, and Green Spaces
Sustainability isn’t just about energy - it’s also about nurturing the environment around us. Visitors to GHR will find several green spaces around the campus, including a thriving herb garden outside Block 1. This garden, filled with rosemary and thyme, reflects our commitment to healthy, biodiverse spaces that are both functional and beautiful.
Elsewhere on the Dublin campus, Griffith College has installed insect hotels - small but meaningful efforts to support biodiversity and pollinator populations. These structures provide safe habitats for beneficial insects, helping restore ecological balance in urban environments.
We invite guests to explore and enjoy these spaces during their stay - whether you're picking fresh herbs for a meal or simply taking a moment to enjoy the greenery.
Reducing Single-Use Plastics and Encouraging Reusables
In tandem with renewable energy and water conservation, Griffith College has rolled out several initiatives aimed at reducing single-use plastics. Water refill stations are now available throughout the campus, eliminating the need for disposable bottles. This simple feature alone is estimated to save over 32,000 plastic bottles each year.
Our on-site restaurant has moved away from single-use plastics entirely, and reusable “keep cups” are now standard for staff, supported by cup-washing stations. While staying with us, we encourage guests to bring or purchase reusable items where possible - every small effort contributes to a larger impact.
Eco-Conscious Transportation
Sustainability also extends to how we move. Griffith College was recently awarded gold-tier certification by the European Union as a Cycle Friendly Employer. This recognition reflects our efforts to promote greener modes of transport for both staff and students.
While this initiative is primarily aimed at long-term campus users, short-stay guests will benefit from the growing cycling infrastructure in and around the college. Bike racks are widely available, and Dublin's city bike-share scheme offers a great way to explore the area while reducing carbon emissions.
A Shared Commitment: Guests as Partners in Sustainability
At Griffith Halls of Residence, we see our guests not just as visitors - but as partners in sustainability. Whether it’s turning off unused lights, recycling thoughtfully, or enjoying a stroll by our herb garden, every small decision made during your stay adds up to something bigger.
We actively share energy-saving tips with long-term residents, and many of these apply equally to short-stay guests:
- Use natural light where possible
- Boil only the water you need
- Report any leaks or maintenance issues promptly
- Turn off lights when not in use
By choosing to stay at GHR, you’re already contributing to a more sustainable model of urban living—and for that, we thank you.
Looking Forward: A Greener Future for Griffith and Ireland
Ireland’s natural beauty - its clean air, green landscapes, and fresh water - is something we all cherish. At GHR and Griffith College, we view environmental responsibility as a shared duty to protect these resources for future generations. This commitment is reflected in every upgrade, every policy change, and every green space we maintain.
As a short-stay guest, you’re a vital part of this journey. We’re proud to welcome visitors who value comfort, convenience, and sustainability - and we hope your experience at Griffith Halls of Residence is as enriching as it is eco-friendly.