THE RESULTS

Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman took the initiative, and became a case study for hoteliers and corporates to follow. Not only that, since it purchase GreenGood in 2012, it has managed to save AED 360,000 ($98,000) in three years. “We were paying AED 120,000 ($32,670) per annum for waste collection. Now, we don’t need it.”

In addition, the team has used a small empty lot within the hotel parameters and turned it into a garden, where the hotel’s chef harvests rocca, okra, basil, tomatoes and mint leaves.

Hamdani continues: “Business has increased because people know that we are a responsible hotel. There is a commercial gain for the owners and it is appreciated by the community as well. Also, we have a staff turnover of only 2% because we take care of them, and they enjoy being a part of sustainable operations.”

Currently, the hotel gives away all its untouched food to Al Ihsan Charity Association, which is distributed amongst some families and labour camps in Ajman. Going forward, Hamdani wants to be able to do it on their own. “Al Ihsan cannot take care of all the hotel as it has limited facilities. I want to create a committee and have people on our payroll who will be responsible for it. We will have proper buffets in Ajman labour camps; we will start with our two hotels and go on to include other 5–star hotels as well. There is a banqueting facility that can host more than 2000 people. They have already agreed to come on board and give away their food once we are ready. We will establish the committee this winter, and start with our own hotels. Next year, we will involve others as well.”

Ramada, however, isn’t nearly done and has extensive plans to establish itself as an eco–friendly hotel in the future. It is looking into ways to recycle approximately 6000 gallons of water that is wasted every day at its laundry. It has also decided to design its new hotel as an eco–friendly property and is on its way to earn the Green Globe certification.

The hotel has been visited by many hotels and corporates, including Al Maha Resort, Banyan Tree, Atlantis, Cove Rotana, Emirates Airlines, Abu Dhabi Agriculture Authority, a delegation from government of Ras al Khaimah and Dubai Municipality, who came to see the machine function and some have already installed it at their premises. “My idea is to continue to create awareness as we need to involve many more people, unless the government introduces some kind of a regulation. And corporates need to come forward as they can do a lot,” Hamdani concludes.

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