Q 1) Your environment context
- What are the environmental issues in your region/country and how do you see them affecting your property?
There are three major environmental issues facing our city - air pollution, solid waste management and water management.
Air pollution is a critical problem of Mumbai. The ever increasing density of vehicular traffic and poor enforcement of pollution emission laws for industries are severely affecting the health of citizens. Air pollution leads to respiratory problems creating loss of working days and a bad reputation for the city. At The Orchid we have installed Air Washers to all their kitchen exhaust and we also have Scrubbers for our water boilers. All vehicles owned by the hotel and cars hired out at the travel desk are outfitted to operate only on lead free fuel which helps in cutting down air pollution.
(For further information please email us at envohmu@orchidhotel.com and request information on Annexure 1)
In the city of Mumbai, waste disposal is today an issue of prime importance. The absence of a coherent waste management policy is reflected in heaps of garbage and decaying litter. The problem is compounded by the ubiquitous presence of plastic bags. Once alien to the Indian culture, plastic bags are now a symbol of the breakdown in the waste disposal system. The past few years, however, have seen the rise of citizen's initiative aimed at reducing at source the waste generated. Plastic bags and undisposed garbage heaps affect the reputation of the city terming it as a dirty city. Plastic bags choke the drainage systems & landfills inevitably leading to the flooding during the monsoon especially at high tide.
(For further information please email us at envohmu@orchidhotel.com and request information on Annexure 2)
We at The Orchid have taken steps to eliminate and/or minimize the use of plastic bags.
- We use cloth laundry bags & shopping bags.
- Laundry is delivered in a cane basket wrapped in muslin cloth.
- Newspapers are delivered in cane baskets hence eliminating the use of plastic.
- Cane trays have replaced plastic bags for shoes to be sent for polishing.
- Team members at The Orchid are given a cloth bag each to stop them from using plastic bags.
- Single serving items are done away with at The Orchid hence minimizing the waste being generated at The Orchid.
- At the hotel all garbage is segregated and we even have recyclable bins in our guests room for guest participation.
- In the near future The Orchid and all the other hotels in our neighbourhood will start Vermiculture compost pits for all the kitchen garbage thus making our hotel zone a "zero" garbage area..
Optimization of water resources is an area of priority in our city.
Precious reserves of fresh water are depleted because of leaky taps, pipes and tank. Our property will be affected since a shortage of water would mean that water from other sources other than Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) would have to be purchased in order to run the hotel. This water would have a very high quantum of total dissolved salts (TDS) resulting in higher cost for the treatment and purification for the same. We at The Orchid believe that consumption of water should be optimized therefore have introduced the following measures:
- Flow Restrictors, low flow Shower heads and Aerators have been installed in all guestrooms.
- All guestrooms have been fitted with Geberit concealed cisterns which use only 6 litres per flush as against 15-20 litres per flush used by the conventional flushing systems.
- The sewage treatment plant at The Orchid will recycle the sullage water, which will be used gardening, air conditioning & water bodies.
- Wherever possible drip irrigation systems have been incorporated.
- What level of public environmental awareness exists in your country?
Though the term itself is new, eco-consciousness was a part of the Indian mindset (For further information please email us at envohmu@orchidhotel.com and request information on Annexure 3). Reusing and recycling were inherent to our culture - glass jam bottles found a new lease of life as spice containers, monthly newspapers went to the neighbourhood junk store and cloth bags were de riguer in markets.
The problems we face today derive largely from two sources. Westernization introduced Indians to the throwaway culture - disposable bags, bottles, diapers and multilayered packaging. Fortunately, the situation is improving. There is public awareness about the advantages of moving away from the plastic bag culture. Schools have introduced environment studies from the primary grades.
Though the overall awareness is low there is a nascent environmental reawakening, from tree planting drives to beach cleanups, a realization that in order to exist, we have to coexist harmoniously.
But for now we must reluctantly admit that our environmental voices are few & even among these most are trapped in the silken web of unsustainable lifestyles which themselves is the root cause of most of the environmental destruction. We are in other words the problem we wish to solve.
- Please supply your environmental mission statement or policy, and describe how it has been publicised to staff, guests and community at large.
The mission statement has been prepared by The Orchid team and reflects its commitment to the cause of environment.
Our Mission Statement
"The Orchid, Asia's first 5 star ECOTEL hotel, is committed to enhancing the guest experience while setting a new standard of environmental responsibility by conserving natural resources; educating, enlightening and motivating our staff; and cultivating community relationships. " The mission statement has evolved from the team members of The Orchid.
- The Mission Statement is emblazoned across all our internal manuals. Its on the first page of the handbook given to every member of The Orchid team on the day they join the hotel. (For further information please email us at envohmu@orchidhotel.com and request information on Annexure 4)
- It is incorporated in the "Eco Directories" placed in each room of the hotel. These highlight the environmentally sensitive measures implemented by The Orchid (For further information please email us at envohmu@orchidhotel.com and request information on Annexure 5).
- It is incorporated in the first issue of the newsletter published by The Orchid (For further information please email us at envohmu@orchidhotel.com and request information on Annexure 6).
- All lectures, presentations, seminars etc the mission statement is displayed at the beginning of the session & informing the audience of the birth of the mission statement.
And our commitment to the environemnt doesn't end there. In every aspect and every service we provide, we're constantly striving to reinforce our pledge to "Reduce Reuse and Recycle", and help make the world a better place to live in, not just now but for the generations to come.
- Do you hold any kind of national or international environmental certification, or do you plan to become certified? Please outline and provide a copy.
- Recognised globally as "The Hallmark of Environmentally Sensitive Hotels", ECOTEL certification is awarded by HVS Eco Services, a part of the reputed hospitality consulting giant, HVS International, USA. The certification, which has been granted to less than 40 hotels worldwide, is an acknowledgement of The Orchid's comprehensive ground -up commitment to ecosensitivity. (For further information please email us at envohmu@orchidhotel.com and request information on Annexure 7)
- Last year The Orchid was the proud recipient of the much coveted World Travel Market's (WTM) Green Globe Award. WTM is the global event for the Travel Industry, promoting domestic, inter-regional and international travel throughout the world. Ms. Janet Anderson, MP - Tourism & Broadcasting, at the Earls Court in London, presented the Award to the hotels Director, Mr. K. P. Kannampilly (For further information please email us at envohmu@orchidhotel.com and request information on Annexure 8).
- Last but not the least The Orchid has also approached the Green Globe for their membership and the Green Globe certification.
- Have you produced / do you produce an environment report?
Yes, we do produce an environment report on a monthly basis, commencing from this year (For further information please email us at envohmu@orchidhotel.com and request information on Annexure 9). |
