While the topic of sustainability has been making itself felt over the past few decades, it is only in very recent years that it has been given priority on the commercial landscape. With so many people becoming more and more vocal about sustainability and ecological concerns, it seemed like many brands had no choice but to sit up and take notice.

Some have taken this more to heart than others, making sustainability one of the main corporate strategies in an effort to ‘pay it forward’ to the planet. One such example is InterContinental Hotel Malta, which has taken the step of setting up a dedicated department that is 100 per cent focused on sustainability and that reports directly to the General Manager. The department is headed by Sustainability, Energy & Water Resources Manager Michaela Rizzo, who is making great strides in the area, with the support of a dedicated committee and the hotel owners themselves.

“IHG has taken a very definite commitment towards a more sustainable industry, and this is reflected in the Journey To Tomorrow, a 10-year responsible business plan for all IHG brands worldwide. Here in Malta we work on all six pillars, while giving special focus to energy, waste and water sustainability," Michaela starts off. 

She underlines that this is not a solo journey, but one that involves all hotel departments. There’s an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) committee meeting taking place twice a month and it’s made up of members from different departments across the hotel.

“During these meetings we discuss different ways how we can advance our efforts, and not only within the hotel but also externally, within the community. We organise clean-ups, volunteer in soup kitchens and many other activities with a social conscience. We also map out how we can offer both guests and employees the opportunity to be more sustainable. We’re proud to have the full support of the owners of the hotel in this, with some even attending our meetings,” Michaela says.

One of the biggest achievements so far has been the drastic reduction in the use of single use plastic bottles, down by 300,000 every year in fact. This was made possible by implementing a system whereby guests are offered filtered water in glass bottles, rather than plastic bottles, in their room. Other initiatives within guest rooms include a bulk dispensary system for soap, shampoo, and shower gel, as well as the option to reduce the frequency of towel changes and cleaning.

“We use the latest technologies in our quest, of course. For example, we have a high-tech UV filtration system to ensure the drinking water is clean enough for guests. So far, the system has been implemented in 75 per cent of the hotel, but we aim to reach 100 per cent coverage by the end of the year,” Michaela explains.

Needless to say, the InterContinental’s recycling game is also on point, with BCRS machines installed within the property and a system that recycles cardboard, paper and anything that can be repurposed. And, in the journey towards reducing water consumption, some of the public guest toilets are also waterless, using an avant-garde sealing design instead.

“We measure our sustainability performance by results. To do so we actually measure all the waste we collect every month, and we monitor energy and water consumption monthly to see how we’re performing on a monthly and annual basis. Sustainability, is a journey so you need to give some time to in order to see the fruits of your efforts. But clearly we’re moving in the right direction - we’re very proud of having reduced single-use plastic bottles so drastically, for example.”

And rightly so. The efforts of IHG Malta have not gone unnoticed, even on the international landscape. In March of this year, InterContinental hotel was awarded the Green Key ecolabel certification, a global voluntary eco-certification program that is coordinated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It is considered the leading standard for excellence in the field of environment responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism and hospitality industry and is only awarded after a rigorous evaluation of the hotel’s environmental management, energy conservation, waste management, water conservation, and other sustainable practices. Holiday Inn Express is up next with the accreditation process close to wraps.

Both guests and employees have responded positively to the environmentally-friendly steps being taken by the hotel. Upon check-in, each guest is given the option to learn more about how they can strengthen sustainability within the hotel, and many are interested to learn more about what is being done to reduce our carbon footprint.

“Our Greener Stay programme explains everything, and guests will also find information displayed in the room as soon as they enter. We do extend our efforts to outside the hotel, too. For example, our concierge is happy to offer green alternatives to activities and transport, directing guests toward bike rental and so forth,” Michaela continues.

And, looking ahead, IHG Malta is excited to reach the next steps in sustainability. The soon to open voco hotel will have sustainability incorporated within its practices from the very first day. The completion of the water filtration system at InterContinental Malta is another milestone Michaela is eager to achieve, together with new projects at Holiday Inn Express and the embellishment of other ESG activities.

“Sustainability is integral to the industry, especially as Malta is heavily-reliant on the hospitality sector, so hotels must lead the way in this. For the hotel, it’s not just about adopting eco-friendly practices and stopping there. It's about setting a standard for the entire industry. Our goal is to inspire other hotels to follow suit, fostering a culture of sustainability across the board," Michaela concluded.