Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group tackles food waste with tech

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has unveiled its plan to introduce Winnow food waste technology to all its 40 hotels by the end of next year.

The hotel group has already implemented Winnow’s AI technology in four pilot hotels: Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong; Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London; Mandarin Oriental, Miami; and Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Dubai – these four hotels have recorded a 36% reduction in food waste and annualised net savings of US$ 207,000.

5-15% of food purchased by kitchens is typically wasted, and food waste currently accounts for up to 10% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions; Winnow’s data will allow hotel teams to make informed decisions that will positively impact both the environment and the Group’s bottom line, with kitchens being able to save between 2-8% on food costs. Chefs will also be able to use insights extracted from Winnow’s data to inform zero-waste menus and recipes.

Other initiatives to manage food waste will expand upon existing ones, including colleague educational campaigns, overhauling buffet operations, donating excess edible food, and innovative composting programmes to improve soil condition and support efficient absorption of rainwater. These will ultimately align with the Group’s goal of halving waste intensity by 2030.

Torsten van Dullemen, group director of sustainability and area vice president operations, state: “Our commitment to sustainability goes hand in hand with our promise to deliver exceptional guest experiences. 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.”