TravTalk India Online Magazine
Bengaluru hotels are increasingly adopting sustainable practices to minimize impact on the environment. Some hotel owners in the city share how their properties are committed to implementing eco-friendly initiatives to reduce energy consumption, water usage, and waste production, and collaborate with local organizations and communities.
Janice Alyosius
As we celebrate Earth Day 2023, it’s essential to acknowledge the role hotels play in promoting environmental sustainability. In Bangalore, many hotels are leading the way in implementing eco-friendly practices. They have made significant strides towards reducing their carbon footprint and minimizing their impact on the environment. These hotels prioritize sustainability by utilizing renewable energy sources, reducing waste, and conserving water. By adopting such practices, they not only contribute to a sustainable future, but also provide guests with a luxurious experience while promoting environmental responsibility. As we move towards a more eco-conscious future, it’s inspiring to see how these hotels are setting an example for the rest of the hospitality industry to follow.
Hotel Royal Orchid Bangalore
Talking about the various eco-friendly initiatives they have taken to reduce the impact on environment, Vijay Krishnan, Vice President of Operations, Hotel Royal Orchid Bangalore, says they are utilizing glass water bottles, offering open-air seating restaurants to reduce the reliance on air conditioning, using solar panels, recycling water within the premises, incorporating natural vines to cool the building, and providing fresh air, using natural building material like terracotta, and maximizing the use of glass for natural lighting to minimize electricity consumption in living spaces. The hotel is also collaborating with local organizations and communities to promote environmental sustainability in the region. Future initiatives include introducing biodegradable material for packaging and glassware for serving drinks and takeout containers.
Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield
Vivek Sharma, General Manager, Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield, highlights their commitment to implementing sustainable practices such as utilizing 96.79 per cent of their electricity from exclusively renewable sources, specifically wind energy, in CY-2022, operating as a Zero Discharge Hotel, repurposing wastewater for ancillary use, and providing on-site EV charging to support sustainable transportation for guests. To reduce energy consumption, the hotel has adopted measures such as installation of low approach cooling tower, IoT-based chiller modulation, and ambient temperature and humidity monitoring, HVAC control through BMS, occupancy sensors for restrooms, staff restrooms, energy cards for the guestrooms, VFD for pumps, 100 per cent LED indoor lights, timer for external lighting, and heat recovery wheel for fresh air intake. The hotel also uses dual flushing, sensor tap, and flow restrictor for water conservation and follows no single-use plastic in all areas of operation. Future initiatives include having a chemical-free cooling tower for water treatment, rainwater harvesting for water neutrality, and planting saplings on Earth Day.
Abhay Kanwar, Director of Sales & Marketing, Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway, talks about their implementation of numerous eco-friendly initiatives to reduce energy and water consumption. These include installing energy-efficient lighting and water-saving fixtures, segregating waste for recycling and composting, and eliminating the use of plastic straws and bottles, providing guests with reusable glass water bottles and metal straws instead.
