The Hilton Group is the first tourism property in Fiji to launch its waste reduction initiative in its bid to not only reduce waste generated from their two main local properties, but rather give them a new life which will then be utilised in local communities as a source of revenue.
Titled soap for hope, linens for life and coffee breaks, the initiative was launched on Denarau Island’s Hilton Fiji Breach Resort and Spa this week.
Resort general manager Carey Osborne said the idea was birthed out of the creativity of Stephan Phang, global director ESG and creating shared values at Diversey Inc who has successfully worked on similar initiatives in major global Hilton hotel chains.
Mr Chang was in Fiji this week to work with the Hilton group and Fiji Chemicals Ltd on this waste reduction program.
“We all know hotels generate so much wastes and the idea is we will give these used items a new life, and more importantly, it can go back into our local communities, particularly those who potentially a little bit more underprivileged and help them in creating some revenue streams,” Mr Chang said.
“They can take these items and actually repurpose them either for sale or to use in their own community. Soap bars, coffee breaks and old linens from Denarau’s Hilton Resort and Sonaisali Island’s DoubleTree Resort will be reused and Ms Osborne indicated that they would work together with Fiji Chemicals to identify local communities where these reused items could be utilised.
She added they were grateful to have been able to partner with local women’s groups and solo mums who did not have a revenue stream and this initiative would help sustain them.
Mr Chang said if other tourism properties come on board, depositing wastes would not be a problem for them.
“I mean if we can collect 40 kilos of soap in a day or two days, imagine our results. And if all the hotels in Fiji came on board, that’s a lot of soap and coffee so it can make a difference not just to our immediate area, they can make a difference to all of Fiji.
“You know Fiji has so many beautiful islands and more remote islands that could potentially also work well with such initiative.”
