137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts increases environmental sustainability efforts

In respect for environmental sustainability luxury boutique hotel group 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts has taken a significant step by eliminating single-use plastic in its hotel rooms and restaurant outlets.

The group’s COO, Christopher Stafford as well as their General Manager for 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok, Björn Richardsson, are Swedes.

After holding a ‘Green Inspirations’ meeting earlier the hotel group came up with measure to reduce the impact of their properties on the environment. In November they took the step to eliminate single-use plastic and now continue to reduce their environmental footprint, increase CSR activities and review other sustainable purchasing options.

Currently the luxury hotel owner and management company operate two five-star hotels in Thailand – one in Bangkok, the other in Chiang Mai – with a luxury resort in Phuket in the pipeline, and further properties, both at home and abroad, expected to be announced in the near future.

COO of 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts, Christopher Stafford

“This involves us all, and the solution has to start with education. If we can change the mindset of a few people so that they adopt more sustainable practice in their daily lives, then all of us will benefit,” said Mr. Chris Stafford, COO of 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts.

Since it opened in 2011, the historic luxury boutique hotel 137 Pillars House up north in Chiang Mai has won much acclaim for its many initiatives to reduce the amount of waste it generates. All organic waste is either composted or turned into biochar (charcoal), which is mixed into the compost to make it richer and more nourishing for plants. This nutrient-rich compost is then used for resort’s lush landscaped gardens and grounds. It is also used in the ever-expanding vegetable and herb garden, a source for the delicious produce that the chefs and bartenders at the resort have come to rely on.

The hotel also employs reusable woven bags instead of plastic garbage bags for waste collection, and vendors and suppliers are encouraged to deliver fresh vegetables and fruits in reusable string bags.

One of the most important initiatives that most guests may not even be aware of, is that the award-winning resort hired an internationally acclaimed mosquito expert to sustainably eliminate/limit mosquito breeding areas without the use of chemical sprays; fogging is now required just once a month. The hotel staff has further shared this knowledge and method with people living in the surrounding areas, thus broadening it into a community initiative.

“We are very pleased with the results so far, but there is still a lot to do. Our next objective is to eliminate individual plastic shampoo, conditioner and lotion containers. We need to find an option that ticks all the boxes, and that can take time,” said Ms. Anne Arrowsmith, General Manager of 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai.

Down in Bangkok, sister property 137 Pillars Suites & Residences has also followed with environmentally friendly initiatives of its own. To conserve electricity, LED lights are used throughout the property, while an advanced Heat Pump System designed to save energy keeps the hotel cool all day. Room keycards have a green function that control the power used when no one is in the room, while motion detectors automatically turn off unneeded lights. Water is conserved through a 2-step toilet flushing system the high-tech sprinkler system in the gardens and an innovative pool treatment system.

“As a luxury hotel, our clients want to know that we are doing as much as we can to ensure that their stay is as sustainable as can be and our goal is to not only meet those expectations but to surpass them,” said Mr. Björn Richardson, General Manager, 137 Pillars Suites & Residences.

Additionally, both properties also use intelligent air-conditioning systems that automatically turn off the units when the doors to the huge balconies are open. Paper, cardboard, glass, plastic and aluminium is separated, and either repurposed in some way, or sold for recycling.

The hotels have also eliminated plastic straws and stirrers from all F&B outlets and introduced paper shopping bags, and biodegradable takeaway containers and cutlery as well. In the rooms, plastic water bottles have been replaced with glass bottles, and wooden pens and toilet amenities such as shower caps, shaving razors, Q-tips and toothbrushes made from cornstarch, and natural toothpaste have been introduced.

In 2019 the plan is to also replace the plastic containers for shampoo, conditioner and body lotion with suitable dispensers.

However, the luxury boutique hotel group’s efforts don’t stop there. It continues to conduct regular training sessions with its associates to ensure that not only are the hotels as sustainable as possible but that they take these best practices home with them too.

137 Pillars House Chiang Mai and 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok are both members of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. A hallmark is the team who are dedicated to legendary hospitality and service, as well as a respect for environmental sustainability.

About Joakim Persson

Freelance business and lifestyle photojournalist

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