January 1999
Our Way
The mission statement has evolved from the team members of The Orchid. As a 5 Globe ECOTEL, The Orchid is committed to enhancing the guest experience while setting a new standard of environmental responsibilities by conserving natural resources, educating, enlightening and motivating our staff and cultivating community relationships.
When we had an opportunity to rebuild The Kamat Plaza into a brand new hotel, the Board of Directors considered the various values that would be cherished in the coming century. Environment is and will be the major concern of our world for the future of mankind and hence the Board of Directors of the Kamat Hotels (India) Limited decided to build their new hotel keeping environment in mind.
Hence the challenge was to find new ways of continually creating more wealth with fewer resources, less raw material, less energy, less waste and less pollution.
Success Beckons
We are the only hotel in Asia and one of 33 in the world to have been awarded the 'ECOTEL'certification. To make our aims and ideas a reality was definitely a challenge. It is this continuous process of commitment and hard work that we have to improve on. The Orchid was recently awarded the Green Globe Award at the prestigious World Travel Market (WTM)'98 in London. WTM is the global event for the travel industry, promoting domestic, inter-regional and international travel throughout the world.
Our international awards would not have been possible without our employees. Our team is our support, encouragement and best asset. The best employee of 1998 was Ms. Sunita Vohra, Reservations Supervisor.
HELP STOP INDOOR POLLUTION
The quality of our air has been constantly under assault. And it is not just on the streets that air pollution is rampant. The new killer on the block could very well be indoor pollution. It has been estimated that nearly one third of all new office buildings have indoor air quality problems. From the airconditioner and refrigerator to the copier and carpet, all give off hazardous gases which are circulated throughout the office buildings and homes. It is heartening that aesthetically enhancing indoor plants could be our chief weapon against this onslaught. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States have discovered that one simple way to improve air quality is to introduce plants that can absorb the pollutants.
INDOOR PLANTS AS AIR PURIFIERS
Three of the most common indoor air pollutants are benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. At least one 4-5 foot plant for every 100 sq. ft. could be incorporated. But look out for organically grown plants. If plants are grown to be chemically dependent, they will not be effective as indoor air purifiers.
BENZENE
Source :
Inks, oils, paints, rubber, dyes, detergents, gasoline, pharmaceuticals, cigarette smoke, and synthetic fibres.
Effects :
Skin and eye irritation, may be a contributing factor to chromosomal aberrations and leukaemia in humans; chronic exposure to even low levels causes headaches, appetite loss, drowsiness, nervousness, psychological disturbances, anaemia, bone marrow disease, carcinogenicity.
AIR PURIFYING PLANTS
- Dwarf Schefflera
- English Ivy
- Gerbera Daisy Golden Pathos
- Janet Craig
- Madagascar Dragon Tree
- Peace Lily
- Pot Mum
- Silver Queen
- Variegated Snake Plant
TRICHLOROETHYLENE.
Source : Primarily used in the metal degreasing and drycleaning industries; also in printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes and adhesives.
Effects : Considered a potential liver carcinogen by the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
AIR PURIFYING PLANTS
- English Ivy
- Gerbera Daisy
- Madagascar Dragon Tree
- Peace Lily
- Pot Mum
- Variegated Snake Plant
FORMALDEHYDE
Source : Foam insulation, plywood, particle board, pressed wood products, wrinkle resisters, water repelents, fire retardants, adhesives, binders in floor coverings, carpet backing, permanent press clothing, cigarette smoke, natural gas, kerosene.
Effects : Irritates mucous membranes of the eye, nose, throat; can cause contact dermatitis, irritation of upper respiratory tract and eyes, headaches; can cause asthma and is suspected of causing a rare type of throat cancer.
AIR PURIFYING PLANTS
- Azalea
- Bromeliade
- Dimcame
- English Ivy
- Gerbera Daisy
- Golden Pathos
- Madagascar Dragon Tree
- Orchid
- Philodendron
- Pomaettia
- Pot Mum
- Reed Palm
- Spider Plant
- Striped Corn Plant
- Variegated Liriope
- Variegated Snake Plant
- Weeping Fig
Did you Know?
- A car emits 90 times more carbon monoxide as compared to a bus travelling the same distance. Two-wheelers emit 49 times more emissions as a bus, and autorickshaws 60 times more.
- The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has stated that approximately 107 known carcinogens may be present in your office or home.
- Research has shown that eating fresh fruit reduces the risk of stroke by 32%, of cancer by 21%, and cuts heart fatalities by 24%.
VERMICOMPOSTING
Those of us who live in cities in buildings can consider vermicomposting as an option to tackle waste. Composting is a natural process where kitchen and yard wastes decompose into a dark, nutrient-rich, earth-smelling soil conditioner. Vermicomposting is simply composting with worms. The redworms (red wiggler) are incredible garbage eaters! They eat and discharge their own weight every day. Even a small bin of redworms will provide a good quantity of compost which can be harvested in two to three months. It takes about three weeks for fertilized eggs to develop in a cocoon from which two or more young worms can hatch. In three months the worms are sexually mature and will start breeding which can then be distributed among friends. Vermicompost will provide nutrients to your plants and will help the soil hold moisture. It can be used in a number of different ways:
- Sprinkle the vermicompost into a seed row when planting.
- When transplanting, add a handful of soil to the hole you have dug for the plant.
- Use as a top dressing, sprinkling the compost around the base of your plants.
- Mix with potting soil (half and half) for house plants.
You will need:
- BINS
A wooden bin or a ready-made storage bin can be used as a bin for worm composting. Eight to ten holes (approx. 1 cm or 1/4") have to be drilled in the bottom for drainage. The bottom has to be lined with fine nylon mesh to prevent the worms from escaping. Place the bin on blocks with a tray underneath.
- WORMS AND BEDDING
Redworms can survive and breed in many kinds of bedding materials. Red wigglers eat their own bedding. Hand- shredded newspaper, composted manure, dampened peat moss, or leaves can all be used. (Make sure to mix peat moss with other bedding as it is too acidic to use alone.) You can also purchase prepared bedding which may be machine-ground paper either alone or mixed with loam. Dampen the bedding until the moisture level is like a well-wrung sponge. Fill the bin 3/4 full with bedding. Add the worms. Since worms don't like light, they will quickly crawl down into the bedding.
- WHAT DO YOU FEED THEM?
Vegetables, fruits, coffee grinds, tea bags, egg shells are all suitable as feed for these worms. They can be fed every few days, or once a week. The bedding has to be pulled aside while introducing the food and subsequently covered with the bedding. Each time the worms are fed, choose a different location to bury the food. The amount of materials would have dropped substantially within three months. Once this happens the finished compost can be harvested and fresh bedding could be added. For this the contents of the bin could be moved over to one side and fresh bedding can be added to the empty side. Another alternative is to dump all the contents of the bin onto a large plastic sheet and separate into small cone-shaped piles. If a bright light is placed above the sheet the worms will move away from the light and the finished compost can be removed and replaced.
The decomposition of litter could take anywhere from a few weeks to thousands of years. A traffic ticket will probably take two to four weeks to degrade, a wool sock one year, an aluminum can 200-500 years and a glass bottle an undetermined period of time.
Did you know?
- Plastic products contribute some 7% by weight and 30% by volume to municipal solid waste. Plastics also make up a large proportion of litter on land, on shorelines and in waterways.
- Organic materials - food scraps & yard debris - make up 1/3 to 1/2 of the average householder's waste. By composting their organics residents can substantially reduce the amount of garbage they generate.
- Every tonne of steel cans recycled saves 1.36 tonnes of iron ore and 3.6 barrels of oil.
THE 3Rs : REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
The problems posed by widespread disregard to conservation is not restricted to environmentalists and conservationists. It is our problem too. Unless we work together to save our natural wealth and heritage, it will be lost forever. Anyone can practice the 3Rs. If conservation practises are instilled in children right from the beginning, they will learn the importance of protecting the environment. It is just a matter of imbibing the 3Rs in our lifestyles. Reduction, reusing and finally recycling will help minimise waste to a great degree. Reduction includes any techniques or procedures that reduce the amount of waste being generated. This may involve starting proper inventory-control techniques, improving operational and maintenance procedures, modifying process, or reformulating products. Further reduction can occur with proper training, and by changing/modifying purchasing policies.
Once waste sources are established, the waste reduction work plan will establish concrete goals for reducing that waste. The waste reduction work plan must include a plan for reducing, reusing and recycling waste; identifying who is responsible for implementation; and provide a summary of timing and expected results from the waste reduction projects. As part of the implementation, the plan must be communicated to all employees. The reduction of the overall volume of waste materials requiring disposal is called waste reduction or waste minimization. Waste reduction procedures include: methods of elimination, reduction, reuse, recycling and composting. This can be practised by all industrial sectors, government agencies and residents of the community. Waste reduction procedures can be initiated and implemented by entire organizations or by single individuals in their work place, home, or community.
We Care
"The Earth is giving us so much. We should listen to the Earth and its heartbeat, and live in harmony with this beautiful planet".
- Yoko Ono.
In our quest for material bliss, we have exploited the environment for generations. Most of us believe that the world is so vast that it can survive any pillage, so resilient that it can recover any damage.
How false this is will be proved time and again.
We are interfering with the basic processes that sustain life. And the connection between disease and toxins and pollutants released into our air, water and land are irrefutable. Climate changes, soil erosion, acid rain, landslides are all repercussions of our follies and the price that we have to pay for short-changing the environment.
The problems of today will remain the problems of tomorrow if immediate action is not taken. Each and everyone of us are accountable for what our planet is facing, what our homes and hearths are being exposed to.
Ask not what the environment can do for you but what you can do to make the environment around us safe. Taking responsibility for our planet is the first step.
A change in attitude is the need of the hour. Take up a more active role in cleaning up the environment. It is not very difficult for anyone to get moving on the right track.
A "green team" could be started to begin environmental or waste reduction activities. In offices, this could include staff members from each department or section of the organization. In schools or colleges, it could include representatives from each class. It is important to set realistic and achievable environmental goals. It is essential that we have internal environmental policies and consider the environmental impacts and the pros and cons of activities embarked on. Even for things like waste management it is important to prepare a plan of action and set specific tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities.
|
