How to make your energy footprint smaller

Our hotel has been Green Globe certified since 2023. We are doing our absolute best to make your stay and our operations as sustainable as possible. Would you like to contribute to our green operations as well? We are very grateful for your support!

We’re happy to share a few simple ways you can reduce your footprint during your stay with us.

1. Taking shorter showers

Reduce the time spent in the shower to conserve water and energy. Did you know the average shower time in the Netherlands is 7.4 minutes? Try to beat it if you can ;-)

2. Separate waste

Join our waste separation program and help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

• On the 4th floor, next to room #414, there is a garbage room where you can separate glass, paper, and residual waste.
• In your kitchen, you will find bins for plastic and residual waste.
• You can now simply recycle Lavazza coffee cups with PMD waste. All cups are fully recycled, and coffee residue is converted into biofuel and compost.
• Paper and glass can be left on the counter for us to sort into the correct waste streams. If you’d like us to collect it during your stay, just give us a call or visit the garbage room on the 4th floor.

Fun fact: In our restaurant, we also have a separate food waste stream. This is stored in a swill tank in the basement, where it undergoes a fermentation process that forms the basis for biofuel.

3. Housekeeping / Cleaning

Conscious housekeeping: since February 2024, we’ve adjusted our cleaning frequency to reduce the use of linen, transport, chemicals, and water.

• Short stay (≤8 nights): you can choose whether you’d like cleaning by hanging the “Touch up my room” door hanger.
• Long stay (≥9 nights): standard cleaning every 3 days, with guest preferences taken into account as much as possible.

4. Turn off lights and electronics

Don’t forget to remove your keycard from the electricity slot when leaving your room. This turns off lights, TV, and other electronics to save energy. The dishwasher will remain running.

5. Dishwasher

Did you know our dishwasher has an eco setting? Use this button to be the most energy-efficient hotel guest possible!

6. Take the stairs instead of the elevator

Next to our elevators, a stairway is available. Taking the stairs reduces energy use and comes with extra health benefits ;-)

7. Don’t adjust the room temperature

Our energy-efficient temperature management system keeps your room comfortable. You can adjust the temperature by up to 3°C, but leaving it as is is the most energy-efficient option. Keeping the curtains closed also helps maintain a stable room temperature.

8. Drink tap water instead of bottled water

In the Netherlands, tap water is perfectly safe to drink and tastes just as good as bottled water. Choosing tap water helps reduce plastic use and waste.

9. Go to the city

• Take the bike or public transport instead of a car or taxi.
• The hotel is next to Sloterdijk station. Trains and buses will take you to the city centre or other destinations.
• Bikes are also available at reception.
• If you do take a taxi, you can request an all-electric option.

By following these tips, you can make a positive impact on the environment and be an energy-efficient hotel guest. Do you have any feedback for us? We are always open to improving.

Please contact our team at hello.boatandco@thejuly

Sustainability at The July – Boat & Co

At The July – Boat & Co, sustainability is built into every part of our design and operation. The building has a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and was developed according to Cradle-to-Cradle principles, using sustainable materials designed to minimise waste. Located in Houthaven, Amsterdam’s first climate-neutral district, Boat & Co is eco-friendly to its core.

Our Think Forever behaviours

1. Sustainable heating and cooling

Our building is connected to Houthaven’s innovative thermal energy storage system, providing eco-friendly heating and cooling throughout the year.

2. Solar-powered energy

With 424 solar panels on the roof, we generate our own clean and renewable energy. Sunshine not only makes our terrace inviting—it also powers our hotel. Solar energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on fossil fuels.

3. Smarter, greener cleaning cycles

Since February 2024, we’ve adjusted our housekeeping schedule to reduce water, chemicals, transport, and linen use.

• Guests staying up to 8 nights do not receive daily touch-ups by default, but can request one by hanging the “Touch up my room” door hanger.
• Guests staying 9 nights or more receive cleaning every three days. We remain flexible to personal preferences while keeping the cycle as sustainable as possible.

4. Organic waste turned into energy

Our swill tank collects organic waste, which is later converted into compost, biodiesel, and biogas. Because waste is stored on-site, fewer transport trips are needed—reducing CO₂ emissions further.

5. Space for local wildlife

Boat & Co was designed to welcome even the smallest local residents. Our façades include 40+ nesting and living spaces for animals, including bat and bird houses on the roof. On the terrace, you’ll also find insect hotels for bees, butterflies, and caterpillars.

6. Local and seasonal dining at Vessel

Our restaurant Vessel works with local suppliers and seasonal ingredients to reduce transport emissions and our overall footprint. The menu features shared dishes and delicious vegan options, encouraging more plant-based choices.

7. Light when needed, dark when it should be

We minimise artificial lighting at night to help you sleep better and reduce energy use—so you can fall asleep under the stars.

8. Energy performance: less is more

With an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of just 0.041, Boat & Co achieves top-level efficiency (A+++). Lower energy consumption for heating, cooling, ventilation, and hot water means a smaller environmental impact.

9. Cooling from the IJ, heating from the city

Our location in Houthaven connects us to a combined sustainable cold/heat network. Cold water from the IJ is stored in winter and used for cooling in summer. The district’s heat network from the Amsterdam Waste Energy Company (AEB) provides low-carbon heating, cutting CO₂ emissions by up to 70% compared to standard systems.

10. Our Green Partners

We believe collaboration is key to achieving our sustainability goals. That’s why we carefully choose partners who share our values:

• Lavazza – Guests can now simply recycle the coffee cups with PMD waste.
• Tony’s Chocolonely – A chocolate brand committed to a fully slave-free cocoa industry and fair supply chains.
• Or Tea? – A sustainable tea brand based in Haarlem.
• Oscar Circular – Our local waste partner, reducing transport by centralising waste collection in the neighbourhood.
• The Good Roll – 100% tree-friendly toilet paper made from recycled paper, with 50% of profits funding toilets in Africa.
• Print Shop De Bij – Sustainable printing powered by renewable energy, using recycled paper and organic inks.
• CliniClowns – We collect printer cartridges, with proceeds supporting CliniClowns.
• Marie-Stella-Maris – Refillable amenities with a donation model supporting clean water projects.
• Blycolin – Our linen partner, certified Oeko-Tex and focused on low-water, low-CO₂ washing processes.
• Made Blue Foundation (Vessel) – For every bottle of water sold at Vessel, we donate €1 to clean water projects worldwide.