Hilton hotels in Asia Pacific are taking a leading role in promoting sustainability within the hospitality industry, particularly in tackling the issue of food waste. Recognizing the importance of mindful consumption and a sustainable future, Hilton has set an ambitious goal to reduce its landfill waste by 50% by 2030, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative is part of their broader Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals, which include emissions-reduction targets endorsed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and consistent with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Hilton is leveraging strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology to reduce food waste across its properties, demonstrating its dedication to creating a sustainable future for the hospitality industry. The company’s global team, including 62,000 employees in the Asia Pacific region, is driving this strategy, encouraging responsible travel and operational practices while making a positive impact on the communities they serve.
Hilton Tokyo Bay: Reducing Food Waste with AI Technology
Hilton has partnered with Winnow, a leading AI-driven food waste management solution, to implement AI technology in its Asia Pacific properties. Winnow’s system tracks daily food waste, providing kitchen teams with valuable insights to manage surplus food more effectively. The system identifies potential savings in food trimmings and motivates staff to creatively repurpose ingredients, such as turning leftover croissants into bread pudding. This allows chefs to pinpoint the sources of food waste, reduce costs, and improve their culinary practices and purchasing choices.
Hilton Tokyo Bay became the first hotel in Japan to implement the Winnow Vision system in January 2020, utilizing data analytics to minimize food waste. Within just four weeks, the hotel achieved a remarkable 30% reduction in food waste, saving over 17,016 meals and approximately ¥3.3 million (around US$31,000) annually. The success of Hilton Tokyo Bay’s implementation led to the rollout of Winnow technology to 15 additional hotels in Japan. Globally, 170 Hilton hotels in 29 countries have adopted the Winnow food waste measurement system, including properties such as Conrad Bali, Hilton Clark Sun Valley, Millennium Hilton Bangkok, DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i-City, and Hilton Kuala Lumpur. The company plans to introduce the system to 20 more Hilton hotels in Southeast Asia within the year.
Since partnering with Winnow in 2017, starting with Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Hilton has diverted over 1 million meals from landfill, saved more than US$2 million annually, and reduced its carbon footprint by 2,050 tons of CO2e by the end of 2023. This collaboration highlights the power of combining cutting-edge AI technology with Hilton’s proactive culinary teams in achieving significant reductions in food waste.
Conrad Centennial Singapore and Hilton Singapore Orchard: Turning Imperfections into Opportunities
While advanced technology plays a crucial role in addressing food waste, simple and thoughtful actions can also make a significant impact. Conrad Centennial Singapore and Hilton Singapore Orchard exemplify this by taking small but meaningful steps to combat food waste. Conrad Centennial Singapore, for instance, is reducing food waste by incorporating “ugly vegetables”—produce that might typically be discarded due to cosmetic imperfections—into their culinary offerings. They are also promoting a more eco-friendly dining experience by introducing plant-based eggs and meats on their menu.
Furthermore, Conrad Centennial Singapore prioritizes local sourcing, partnering with a local vertical farm to supply a substantial portion of its vegetables, reducing the hotel’s carbon footprint through local procurement. At Hilton Singapore Orchard, the Osteria Mozza restaurant features an on-site herb garden, embracing a garden-to-table approach by cultivating herbs like rosemary, basil, and mint for use in dishes and cocktails as fresh garnishes.
Hilton Singapore Orchard also utilizes an Eco-Wiz ecoDigester to accelerate the decomposition of food waste, enabling responsible processing and disposal into the sewage system. These practices demonstrate the hotel’s commitment to sustainability and responsible food management.
Conrad Singapore Orchard: Advocating for a Circular Economy
Conrad Singapore Orchard further exemplifies its commitment to a circular economy through innovative waste management practices. The hotel uses food digesters to convert organic waste into valuable resources, significantly reducing its reliance on landfills and incinerators, thereby minimizing its environmental impact. In addition, the hotel actively addresses food waste by donating surplus pastries to the charity Food from the Heart every day. These efforts highlight Conrad Singapore Orchard’s dedication to supporting both the community and the environment.
Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai: Repurposing Food Surplus for Sustainability
Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai is making substantial strides in sustainable practices by enhancing circular food production and managing food waste effectively. The hotel employs advanced kitchen waste treatment equipment to convert kitchen waste into carbon dioxide, water, and organic fertilizers. This initiative not only keeps food waste in check but also repurposes it into useful resources, contributing to a more sustainable hospitality model.
The hotel’s innovative approach extends to repurposing these byproducts: the organic fertilizers produced are utilized not only in the hotel’s own ecological garden but also in nearby communities. Since the installation of this smart equipment in 2021, the hotel has recycled 290 tons of kitchen waste and generated approximately 25 tons of organic fertilizer.
DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok: Saving Meals and Providing Hope with Scholars of Sustenance
Reducing food waste requires collaboration, and Hilton is partnering with food banks, charities, and waste management companies across Asia to ensure excess food reaches those in need. A key partner is Scholars of Sustenance (SOS), a recent grantee of the Hilton Global Foundation (HGF), which collaborates with Hilton properties in the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia to donate cooked meals to food banks and soup kitchens.
In Thailand, Hilton’s partnership with SOS Thailand has been active since April 2020. Chefs from DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok prepared 210 meals from surplus ingredients, which were then delivered to the Baan Mankong Kalayanamit community in Bang Sue, a low-income neighborhood where residents have been severely affected by job losses and food insecurity. Hilton properties in the Philippines and Indonesia also contribute by donating excess food to local food banks and soup kitchens, helping underprivileged community members.
In 2023, over 31,000 kilograms of food were donated, resulting in more than 131,000 meals and diverting nearly 60,000 kilograms of CO2. Globally, Hilton has diverted more than 308,000 pounds of waste from landfills, significantly reducing its environmental impact.
Embracing Technology, Building Partnerships, and Advancing a Circular Economy for a Sustainable Future
Hilton’s LightStay management platform exemplifies its commitment to sustainability. This platform is employed across all Hilton properties to collect precise data on food waste, identify inefficiencies, and implement targeted measures to reduce waste. As awareness of sustainability grows and regulations become stricter, the hospitality industry in Asia is well-positioned to lead in sustainable practices, particularly in minimizing food waste. By leveraging technology, fostering strategic partnerships, and openly reporting sustainability efforts, hotels can reduce their environmental footprint while enhancing operational efficiency.
