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An initiative
launched by EDITION Hotels aims to make the luxury chain single-use plastic
free by the end of 2019 – and spark a movement among hoteliers the world over.
‘Stay
Plastic Free’
The
initiative – coined ‘Stay Plastic Free’ – was sparked by Vice President of
Brand Experiences Ben Pundole, who was inspired by a growing anti-plastic
movement.
Primary
goals of the program include a 90 percent reduction in single-use plastic at
EDITION Hotels by year’s end, complete elimination in 2019, and a positive
influence extending to the hotel industry and beyond.
Campaign
‘Stay
Plastic Free’ will keep a running list of providers to help other hospitality
companies transition away from single-use plastic and toward a more sustainable
future.
EDITION
will also make an expository short film highlighting the single-use plastic
problem, and lead a campaign committee of major hotel representatives aimed at
solving it.
Pundole
anticipates that the most significant hurdle to overcome will be persuading
hotels to change their practice, despite the associated increase in cost.
‘Conscious
approach’
Pundole
remains hopeful about the project in light of customer support, and a greater
shift toward more sustainable industries.
He said: “Until
very recently, this kind of initiative didn’t happen in the luxury space and
it’s only just beginning.
“I think it
really helps that luxury brands like Gucci have committed to being a lot more
sustainable.
“There’s
been a kind of conscious approach to next steps from companies that you never
thought you’d see doing this.”
