Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group reports has made a significant stride in environmental stewardship with the goal of having Winnow’s food waste technology installed across all its hotels by the end of 2025.
With Winnow’s AI technology, Mandarin Oriental has seen a 36 percent reduction in food waste in four pilot hotels: Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong; Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London; Mandarin Oriental, Miami; and Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Dubai.
Implementing Winnow’s technology across all Mandarin Oriental hotels is core to the group’s broader sustainability strategy. In the knowledge that food waste accounts for up to 10 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions and that between 5 to 15 percent of the food purchased by kitchens is typically wasted, contributing to the group’s goal to reduce waste intensity by 50 percent by 2030. This commitment is aligned with the United Nations SDG 12.3, which aims to halve global per capita food waste by 2030.
Winnow’s data aims to help hotel teams to make informed decisions that positively impact both the environment and their bottom line, with kitchens typically saving between 2 to 8 percent on food costs. Initiatives to manage food waste will expand upon existing ones, including colleague educational campaigns, overhauling buffet operations, donating excess edible food, and innovative composting programs to improve soil condition and support efficient absorption of rainwater.
"Our commitment to sustainability goes hand in hand with our promise to deliver exceptional guest experiences," Torsten van Dullemen, group director of sustainability and area vice president operations, said in a statement. "The integration of Winnow’s technology across our global portfolio is a bold step towards reducing our ecological impact and reinforcing our position as an industry leader.
Pilot programs at Mandarin Oriental hotels in Miami, Dubai, London and Hong Kong resulted in annualized net savings of $207,000, 66 metric tons of food waste, and 289 metric tons in CO2e emissions. The group will roll out Winnow’s technology to all 40 hotels by the end of 2025.