Waste Management in Action

Before I started this blog, I sent out questions to some of the hotels we will be visiting to find out how they approach waste management. Conrad Bali, Alila Villas Uluwatu and The Balé shared their practices, giving us insight into the importance they give to this particular issue. You can find my questions and their corresponding answers below:

*Alila Villas Uluwatu (A), The Balé (B), Conrad Bali (C)

Being in a coastal tourism are, what specific challenges does your property face when dealing with waste?


(A)
Specifically in Bali the challenges relating to waste management/disposal is in reference to sourcing the correct partnership company that shares the same values regarding waste. Through extensive research, we were able to pinpoint Jimbaran Lestari, who are a company that is focused on not just taking away waste but recycling it (specifically in terms of plastics, cans, bottles and wet waste) so as not to generate any landfill. To date, there are still many organisations that do not audit their specific waste management company to identify their process on how waste is handled once taken away. Many are still just generating landfill which is disappointing. From property to our waste management company, we separate all waaste so that it is easily handled and simple to recycle at all times. Audits are conducted on a weekly basis to ensure this remains the case.

(B)
Waste is treated as we would do in any other location.

(C)
Specifically during the high tide period, commonly during February to April, stranded garbage will become a hardest challenge. Some of them natural waste but some of them consist of plastics, elastics, rubber and foam. We have to deal with the local community to continuously clean up the coast, to keep that area always clean.


Are there audits done to measure the impact each guest has on the environment? Does your property consider such information in the formulation of its policies and approaches?


(A)
We audit waste on a daily basis along with consumption data surrounding water, diesel, electricity, chemicals, manning hours and food. These are all quantified daily and recorded in the EMS (environmental management system) data collection tables for Green Globe 21 operation standards. These statistics are then benchmarked against competitors in the region in order to ensure compliance on a monthly basis. Of course, when ensuring efficiencies especially in terms of water, diesel, energy and chemicals, large savings are able to be made which is one of the benefits in focusing on tracking consumption targets daily. In relation to policies/procedures, Alila Villas takes this very seriously and, in essence, our focus towards a better environment makes up one of the core values of the brand. We have a full set of core standards to follow which are aligned with Green Globe 21 standards. We also have a mission statement regarding our commitment to the environment and local community that is published both internally and externally.

(B)
So far, we haven't got those reports done as the waste is handled by an outside company that has strong environmental policies in place recycling waste collected and giving us back credit on the bill for the waste handled and recycled.

(C)
Basically, our measurement is based on Production per Guest Night. The benchmark will be accommodating into percentage of Recycled/Reused/Composted waste and also Waste Recycling Rating. On our policies clearly mentioned some of focus upon our key environmental commitments, i.e. waste reduction through RRR and ensuring that environmentally friendly initiatives and tactics will impact the guest experience in a positive way.


What are the waste management approaches that your company employs? Is waste used as a resource when possible?


(A)

• Recycling of waste - separation and processing (glass, plastic, paper, cardboards, food/wet)
• Development of soakways for the collection and usage of rain water for fresh water supply
• Achievement of Green Globe 21 design and build accreditation - first in Asia to gain this accolade
• Heat exchange for all hot water supply. Hot air exhaust from air conditioning units is used to generate hot water for all guest villas
• Use of native plants in all resort landscaping so that no watering is required
• Full water treatment plant and recycling of gray water for decorative ponds/water cascades around the property
• Wet food waste is processed then returned to the property as compost for the gardens
• Due to the choice of plants on the property, we have the unique situation where all offcuts/trimming of the plant milkweed is given to the local community to feed cattle in the winter months. In addition, the Kapuk tree cotton is collected and once again provided to the local community to stuff pillows and jackets in preparation for the winter months
  

(B)
Yes we do recycle waste (dry and wet), carton, paper, plastics, glass and, of course, water. When talking about waste, it is handled by the company I mentioned before (Jimbaran Lestari) which has a very well-organized recycling plant in Jimbaran, Bali. We treat and recycle water for watering plants. We also have a Reverse Osmosis system in the hotel which generates drinkable water from the water obtained out of our deep wells.

(C)
RRR is one of the approaches including decomposting natural waste and through WWTP (wastewater treatment plant). We employ an outside waste management company, Jimbaran Lestari.


How do you gauge if a particular practice is successfully employed? What performance indicators are monitored?


(A)
Green Globe 21 EMS benchmarking with full disclosure that allows you to gauge success/compliance on a monthly basis.

(B)
Basically, the day-to-day monitoring of the results obtained by our waste management company handling the waste collected.

(C)
We have a monthly report as a continuous review of Waste Production, thus we know the fluctuation of waste production. The performance indicator that we monitor is Supplied, Calculated volume per Guest Night, Baseline, Best Practice, % differences and % Recycled/Reused. Actual 2009 is 5.0 L/GN and the Target is 4.0 L/GN. Baseline = 6.0 L/GN and Best Practice = 4.2 L/GN.


How does waste management improve your property's efficiency? Does it impact profitability?


(A)
Absolutely, especially in regards to water, energy, diesel, chemicals and labor. In reducing our overall consumptions of these big ticket items, we are able to make considerable savings over an annual basis.

(B)
By providing us a credit back on our bill, by educating our employees on waste management and also on water supply, by utilizing the water for gardening, minimizing the consumption of water - a very precious resource in Bali.

(C)
One of the benefits of waste management is we applied composting as a natural fertilizer instead of using artificial fertilizer.


What are the ways in which your property coordinates with other resorts on the island, NGOs and the local government in dealing with waste management in coastal tourism?


(A)
Our two sources of coordinating is via the Bali Hotels Association or Green Globe 21. The introduction of Green Globe 21 to the Bali Hotels Association was facilitated by Alila. Since introduction, we have influenced over 12 hotels to benchmark and gain operating accreditation with this organization. The Bali Hotels Association also works very closely with government ministries in order to curtail/improve initiatives relating to not only waste management but energy plus water consumption as well. These efforts are on ongoing basis and monthly update meetings are held to ensure our focus remains constant.

(B)
Though the Bali Hotels Association and, in particular, with the environment committee as part of the association.

(C)
Some movement as the way to deal with the environment issue has been taken, i.e. Clean Up The World, Earth Day movement, Coastal Cleaning Blitz, de-composting program, etc.

*Thanks to Lintje and the following people for their contribution:
Michael Burnett, GM and Rai Puspaka, Property Operation Manager - Conrad Bali
Jose Luis Calle, Managing Director - C/O The Balé, Lifestyle Retreats Pte Ltd
Sean Brennan, GM - Alila Villas Uluwatu