A clean job: How coffee grounds contribute to sustainability!

Hamburg, 1st May 2025

What happens when Hamburg hoteliers team up with local upcycling experts? Quite simply – it smells wonderfully of coffee, even in your morning shower. From now on, Hotel Hafen Hamburg and the Empire Riverside Hotel are offering a very special welcome gift. In collaboration with the Hamburg-based company Coffeecycle GmbH, the hotels’ own coffee grounds are transformed into skin-friendly soap bars that provide a gentle exfoliating effect. Each guest receives one of these soaps in their room upon arrival as a small bedtime treat. Sustainability, it seems, can not only conserve resources but also smell delightful. And this is just one of many initiatives through which Hamburg’s arguably most popular sister hotels are driving sustainable development with creativity and social commitment.

Sustainability embedded in the corporate philosophy

The sister hotels Empire Riverside Hotel and Hotel Hafen Hamburg put their commitment to sustainable practices into action not only in theory but through numerous projects and everyday initiatives. As early as 2017, the first important steps were taken – from replacing old windows to improve thermal insulation to eliminating plastic straws in favour of durable glass alternatives. In 2022, both hotels established their own sustainability working groups, bringing together employees from a wide range of departments. With great dedication, a comprehensive project plan was developed, goals were defined, and a firm commitment was made to tackling the challenges of a historic building while embracing modern responsibilities towards the environment, society and the economy.

“For us, sustainability is not a trend but a mindset. It’s about making a difference in every area – from how we use resources to how we take on social responsibility. The coffee soap is a great example of how supposed waste can be turned into real sustainable value. Ideas like these not only improve our hotels but also raise awareness for a more mindful approach to our environment. As an employer with more than 300 staff and as part of this city, we have a responsibility to make conscious, forward-looking decisions,” says Enrico Ungermann, General Manager of the two hotels.

Charity with foresight: a look back at the 2025 charity concert

On 18 May, the legendary Skyline Bar 20up at the Empire Riverside Hotel hosted an evening that was both musically inspiring and socially meaningful. As part of the charity concert series, artists Luna Farina and Meloolina captivated the audience with dynamic live performances – set against the breathtaking backdrop above Hamburg’s rooftops. Yet the event was about more than just promoting musical talent; it placed social responsibility and lived sustainability centre stage. The evening supported two heartfelt causes: the organisation HANSEATIC HELP, which provides fast and practical aid through donations in the region, and the long-established Erotic Art Museum, which champions cultural diversity in Hamburg with creativity and conviction. Instead of an admission fee, the event was donation-based, with 100% of proceeds going directly to these initiatives.

Beyond the event itself, the hotels continue to support these organisations – most recently by donating old staff uniforms to HANSEATIC HELP, where they are now benefiting those in need. In addition, surplus pillows and duvets are distributed to people in need via the initiative “DER HAFEN HILFT e.V.”. These material donations highlight how sustainability extends beyond environmental considerations to include social impact.

Small steps, big impact

Sustainability is not a destination but a journey. Hotel Hafen Hamburg and the Empire Riverside Hotel are pursuing this path with conviction, passion and a holistic perspective on the environment, economy and society. Whether through energy-saving measures in their buildings, conscious sourcing of materials, staff training or the creative repurposing of “waste”, they are continually investing in a future that benefits everyone.

PRESS CONTACT:
BISS PR & Communications
Kronprinzendamm 20
10711 Berlin
T: +49 1522 4924162
E: hotelhafenhamburg@biss-pr.de
E: empireriverside@biss-pr.de