On the sustainability track
Iftikhar Hamdani, General Manager, Ramada Hotel and Suites Ajman, writes about the journey of achieving sustainability for the property over the years.
Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman has become a model of sustainability and currently, our role is to create awareness on how everyone can play their part. We welcome everyone to visit our property and witness the projects first-hand
Sustainability is an essential aspect of our hotel operations. We have started making a name for ourselves and achieve a strong presence in the Northern Emirates in terms of green initiatives. In 2015, ours became the first property in Ajman to secure the prestigious Green Globe Certification. It was a team effort and all departments, especially the Engineering Department, have worked hard and acquired new learning on sustainability measures during the process.
Recently, I have been invited by The First Group Asset Management Company to speak during their launch of ‘The Hoteliers’ Guide to Going Green,’ which provides guide- lines for all new and existing properties on the importance and course of actions on sustainability. I have been fortunate to be presented with opportunities to share our green projects and emphasize their importance on various forums and platforms, in the UAE and internationally.
A year ago, I was invited during the World Travel Market exhibition in London to be part of a roundtable discussion on sustainability. In addition, I got a chance to speak to the students of Padua University in Italy to discuss our initiatives. We continue to receive requests here and abroad to share our journey toward sustainability. Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman has become a model of sustainability and currently, our role is to create awareness on how everyone can play their part. We welcome everyone to visit our property and witness the projects firsthand – from the zero landfill, urban farm, and our new sustainability schemes: the cooking oil to biodiesel and the new Reverse Osmosis plant.
New Green Initiatives
Waste means money. Some countries, like Sweden, even imports waste to be converted into fuel. Before, approximately 4,350 gallons of used cooking oil was going to waste. This used cooking oil can actually be converted to biodegradable biodiesel, not just by half but the entire 100 per cent. Now, our hotel is collecting the used cooking oil and giving it to our partner company for conversion to biodiesel.
We also recently launched our water-saving initiative through a new Reverse Osmosis Plant, which will give us an annual savings of AED 290,000. The hotel’s daily water supply is 67,000 gallons; 17,000 gallons go to waste due to high level of TDS (Total Dissolved Solid). The hotel operations require at least 60,000 gallons of water per day, thus generating a supply deficit. Through the new RO plant, approximately 10,000 gallons of waste water will be filtered and treated to bring down the TDS level and make the water suitable for use in the hotel’s gardens and urban farm.
Challenges and course of action
Training the staff as a team to be part of this venture in sustainability was initially a challenge, but today the process has been smooth as everyone takes responsibility for their own actions.
The biggest challenge, not just for us, but all hotels worldwide would be the way to educate and encourage the guests in the process. Sometime ago, I was given reward points for saving linen and towels throughout my stay at a hotel.
These little steps and programs can make impacts to create awareness on recycling and water and energy conservation to save our planet. On a local scale, for Ajman Municipality, they offer a lot of support to those willing to convert their waste and are currently working on a video for waste management.