Responsible TourismAI technology helps hotel group to be less wasteful in the kitchens.

Food for thought: Mandarin Oriental’s waste saving effort

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Successful pilot programmes at Mandarin Oriental hotels in Miami, Dubai, London and Hong Kong resulted food waste being reduced by 36%.
Successful pilot programmes at Mandarin Oriental hotels in Miami, Dubai, London and Hong Kong resulted food waste being reduced by 36%. Photo Credit: Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong

The Mandarin Oriental Group had adopted food waste technology that worldwide saves US$70 million annually, the equivalent of 50 million meals a year from being wasted.

The group plans to have Winnow’s food waste technology installed across all its hotels by the end of 2025 to support its commitment to a new standard for sustainability in the luxury hospitality sector.

Using Winnow’s AI technology, Mandarin Oriental has already seen a 36% reduction in food waste in four pilot hotels.

The Winnow technology implemented in Mandarin Oriental’s kitchens enables staff to track exactly what wastage occurs throughout their production stream. With this data, users are empowered to optimise efficiency, change behaviours, and drive significant waste reductions.

Winnow’s data will enable hotel teams to make informed decisions that positively impact both the environment and their bottom line, with kitchens typically saving between 2%-8% on food costs.

Initiatives to manage food waste will include colleague educational campaigns, overhauling buffet operations, donating excess edible food, and innovative composting programmes.

Successful pilot programmes at Mandarin Oriental hotels in Miami, Dubai, London and Hong Kong resulted food waste being reduced by 36%.

Mandarin Oriental will be rolling out Winnow’s technology to all 40 hotels by the end of 2025.

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