In October 2019, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group pledged to eliminate all single-use plastic across its portfolio of 33 luxury hotels by the end of March 2021. A year on from the Group’s pledge, the second progress report is here – highlighting their achievements made to date, and plans to advance with.
Across all Mandarin Oriental hotels, eco-friendly alternatives have been adopted over the months. Almost half of the Group’s portfolio have eliminated waste bags in guest rooms, adopting an empty-and-clean approach instead. Operational guidelines in F&B and Spa are also changing to incorporate new methods of sanitization, food preparation, cooking and product storage to decrease the need for single-use plastic.
The company has committed to eliminating single-use plastic across all areas of its hotels, including rooms, spa, transport, restaurants and bars as well as in areas unseen by the guest, such as offices and kitchens.
Items that have been completely eliminated and replaced with eco-alternatives include cocktail sticks, straws, body scrubs, tasting spoons, plastic spatulas and takeaway bags. One of the most used items – plastic water bottles – has now been replaced by on-site filtered and bottled water at 12 hotels. Glass and aluminum bottled water will be the standard throughout the portfolio.
THE MAIN FOCUS: ELIMINATING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC
The focus remains on the elimination of 60 of the most common single-use plastic items identified by hotels which are estimated to make up 95% of the total number of items. Many of these items have now either been eliminated or are in the process of being phased out as plastic stock is depleted.
So far, the Group’s hotels have eliminated an average of 70% of the 60 most commonly used items, excluding supplier packaging.
“Whilst our ambitious timeline to eliminate all single-use plastic from our premises by the end of March 2021 may have to be adjusted as a consequence of the pandemic, we are making good progress,” said James Riley, Group Chief Executive. “I am proud that despite the current challenging conditions, our colleagues have wholly embraced this task to deliver on the Group’s sustainability responsibilities,” he added.
Mandarin Oriental is also collaborating with its suppliers to provide alternative products that are both viable and suitable for the luxury hotel Environment. The next report is expected to arrive in March 2021.
For more information, please visit http://www.mandarinoriental.com/.
