Armani Hotel Dubai, the first hotel to be opened under the Armani Hotels and Resorts portfolio, has been awarded its first Green Globe certification.

Mark Kirby, general manager, said: “Green Globe certification for Armani Hotel Dubai is a strong testament to our commitment to be a socially and environmentally responsible hotel operator, focused on international best practices in energy and water use efficiency and sustainable development.

“Since inception, we have focused on promoting green initiatives hotel-wide and encouraged the participation of not just our employees but also our guests and partners. Through our green programmes– from recycling materials to minimising food wastage and supporting environmental campaigns, we have set an industry benchmark in being a green hotel that works to secure a greener future for our coming generations,” added Kirby.

Armani Hotel Dubai recently became part of the UAE Food Bank, an initiative announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The hotel is one of the key hospitality partners for the project that further promotes the noble ‘Year of Giving’ initiative marked by the nation in 2017.

To drive the initiative, Armani Hotel Dubai has put in place a clearly structured programme whereby food is delivered fresh to the UAE Food Bank on a daily basis, (whenever unused, not displayed and safe surplus food is available.) In addition, the hotel has new guidelines in place to avoid wastage of food resources and urges all staff members, partners and guests to join in the noble cause and make a difference to the lives of the underprivileged.

A Food Waste Recycling machine was recently installed to successfully achieve a zero food waste goal. It eliminates food disposal costs, reduces the hotel’s carbon footprint and converts food waste into soil nutrients for use on farms and landscaped areas. Another waste management initiative is the implementation of an efficient waste segregation system where waste is sorted and disposed of at designated recycling stations. Burnt-out light bulbs, used batteries and old printer cartridges are collected and sent to a recycling agency for safe destruction and recycling where possible.

Green Globe’s preferred partner in the Middle East, Farnek, conducted a comprehensive audit of the property to ensure compliance to its strict set of sustainability criteria.

Sandrine Le Biavant, director consultancy, Farnek Middle East said: “This luxury hotel within the Burj Khalifa tower has shown a commitment to accelerating their sustainability performance that is highly commendable and meets their level of service quality and their iconic image. The secret to their success is the presence of a Dubai veteran in sustainable-hospitality Abdul Quddus and an inspired general manager, for whom sustainability is part of excellence, and the whole effort is supported by a responsible programme from Emaar Properties.”

As part of its focus on enhancing energy and water efficiency, all incandescent lights in Armani Hotel Dubai have been replaced with power saving LEDs and motion detectors have been installed in back office areas. In addition, water saving devices and water aerators have been fitted resulting in a significant decrease in water consumption.  

In line with its communication strategy, Armani Hotel Dubai has created a Green Page on guestroom iPads to engage and involve guests in various sustainability initiatives. The hotel’s sustainability commitment is outlined on the hotel’s website, which highlights its commitment to preserving precious resources and creating a sustainable operation that benefits guests, colleagues, the local community, and ultimately, the planet.

Green Globe is the hospitality industry’s international standard for sustainability and with leadership from the hotel’s resident Green Champion, staff members are working to address energy consumption, air quality and waste management, while exploring biodiversity initiatives, green procurement solutions and social responsibility opportunities.

To contribute to local regional development, Armani Hotel Dubai is a certified member of Emirates Environmental Group, a professional working group focused on protecting the environment through education, green programs, and community involvement. Recently, the hotel donated gift vouchers for distribution to the dedicated volunteers of EEG to encourage further community participation. Staff members, partners and guests are also urged to make a difference by donating toys, clothes, blood and soap to the underprivileged. Various CSR projects including Walk for a Cause, clean-up programs and the annual Earth Hour are also promoted. - TradeArabia News Service