Environmental Protection

A 13th-century tower is not preserved by chance. It requires care, awareness, and a vision that looks beyond the present. At Antica Torre Tornabuoni, sustainability is a daily commitment, guiding the thoughtful management of every space and resource. Discover the thoughtful practices we have introduced to preserve our resources and reduce our impact, every day. We know this is an ongoing journey, and we are dedicated to pursuing it.

Antica Torre Tornabuoni is housed in a historic building in the heart of Florence. The restoration of an existing structure, rather than the construction of a new one, represents a conscious choice to reduce the impact on the territory and preserve valuable resources. Within the Tower, every room has featured energy-efficient windows since 2001, helping to preserve comfort while reducing energy consumption by limiting heat dispersion in winter and the need for cooling in summer. Since 2001, an automatic key card system has regulated lighting, heating, and cooling in every room, reducing energy consumption whenever spaces are unoccupied. Since its opening, low-energy LED lighting has been progressively introduced throughout the hotel, reducing consumption while preserving the historic atmosphere. Water, gas and electricity consumption are monitored daily by the operations manager.

Throughout the property, responsible waste separation ensures that paper, plastic, cardboard, glass, used cooking oil, and toner cartridges are directed into dedicated recycling processes. Solid waste is compacted before disposal. During renovations, furniture and furnishings are given a second life: donated to charities or transferred to local companies rather than being discarded. Obsolete computer equipment is sent for certified recycling. Cleaning products are purchased in bulk and dispensed through a controlled dosing system, reducing packaging waste and unnecessary consumption.

From breakfast to dinner, our food and wine offering celebrates certified organic products and a short supply chain from selected Tuscan producers, including Frescobaldi, Diadema, Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella, Du IT, and Birrificio Fiorentino. Fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and other ingredients are sourced from local suppliers within a 62-mile radius, reducing transport distances and environmental impact. Newspapers are provided upon request, avoiding unnecessary distribution and reducing paper waste; any uncollected copies are sent for recycling.

Set in the heart of Florence’s historic center, Antica Torre Tornabuoni places guests within a 15-minute walk of the city’s most iconic museums, monuments, and cultural treasures. Its privileged location invites guests to discover Florence at a leisurely pace, without the need for motorized transportation. At check-in, guests receive information on walking itineraries, local public transport, and bicycle rental services, encouraging a more sustainable way to explore the city. The staff organizes jogging tours and bike rides from the Tower. Guests are actively informed about the environmental benefits of active mobility and public transport.

Towels are changed only upon the guest’s request, rather than automatically each day, reducing water and energy consumption associated with washing by up to 30% (Booking.com for Partners study). For every night of stay, each avoided towel wash saves approximately 13 gallons of water per room (Source: ScienceDirect.com). In addition, wherever possible, the products purchased for the hotel are selected from sustainable alternatives made with recycled materials. Our staff receives ongoing training in environmental practices and actively contributes to reducing consumption throughout the property.

The practices described here are those currently in place and can be verified upon request. We are committed to establishing measurable annual sustainability goals, including targets for reducing water and energy consumption, increasing local sourcing, and tracking donated or recycled materials. These results will be shared through future updates. For further information on our environmental practices or to request supporting documentation, please contact us at info@tornabuoni1.com..