Hilton has announced the launch of its Green Ramadan programme – an initiative to reduce food waste – that will be implemented across several of its key properties in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
To do so, it has partnered with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) West Asia, Winnow and Goumbook.
Data from UNEP West Asia shows that food waste increases by 25-50 per cent in the region during certain festivities, and this programme looks to minimise food waste during the holy month of Ramadan while also driving awareness around local sourcing.
As part of the initiative, participating Hilton hotels across the three countries will compost excess food waste, prioritise local food sourcing within a 50-mile radius, promote plant-based dishes, restrict plastic use across operations, and partner with food banks.
In Dubai, Hilton’s Conrad Dubai property will be participating. Al-Wāha by Conrad Dubai will therefore feature local produce from Fresh on Table, and a plant-based section with a curated menu that Hilton says will help to significantly cut food-related emissions.
The hotel is also partnering with the UAE Food Bank and will donate 100 meals per day throughout Ramadan. Furthermore, Conrad Dubai will also compost food waste from Al-Wāha through The Waste Lab.
Emma Banks, vice president of F&B strategy and development for the EMEA at Hilton, said: “Our partner, Winnow, will play a crucial role in this digital-first approach by collecting food waste data and using it to inform our local procurement requirements while working closely with our partner Goumbook to ensure an educated approach towards the implemented sustainable practices.
“We’re also aligning closely with UNEP West Asia’s ongoing ‘Recipe of Change’ campaign aimed at reducing food waste across the value chain”.
One of Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals is to reduce food waste sent to landfills by 50 per cent.
In Dubai, another major hospitality brand, Jumeirah, is introducing its sustainable Ramadan Garden by the sea initiative at its Jumeirah Beach Hotel property. At the Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s alfresco Ramadan Garden, the venue is set to be a plastic-free, with all water used and served to be filtered on-site at the resort’s water bottling plant. Also, 60 per cent of the ingredients used in the food preparation will be locally sourced. Additionally, Jumeirah added that the whole garden setup has been designed to ensure minimal waste.
