Sustainability at InterContinental Kaohsiung
At InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), we are committed to creating a sustainable and responsible business that positively impacts the communities where we operate, including Kaohsiung City in Taiwan. Our ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy focuses on reducing our environmental footprint, creating opportunities for our employees and stakeholders, and delivering sustainable value to our shareholders while supporting the local community.
In Kaohsiung City, we are proud to partner with local organizations and initiatives to create positive social impacts. For example, we support community-based tourism programs that offer visitors the chance to experience local culture and traditions while generating economic benefits for the community. We also collaborate with local schools to provide education and training programs that help young people develop the skills and knowledge needed for successful careers in the hospitality industry.
As responsible corporate citizens, we recognize the importance of good governance practices and strive to maintain the highest standards of ethics, transparency, and accountability. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce in Kaohsiung City and providing a safe and healthy workplace for all our employees. In addition, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint in the city, including reducing energy and water consumption, and sourcing sustainable products and materials.
We believe that our commitment to ESG is not only the right thing to do but also makes good business sense. By integrating sustainable and responsible practices into our operations in Kaohsiung City, we are better able to create long-term value for our stakeholders, including our guests, employees, shareholders, and the local community.
IHG Green Engage
- Control and record all energy use (water, electric, gas, waste sorting);
- Conserve energy by replacing less efficient T5, T8, and incandescent bulbs with LED lights;
- Practice preventive maintenance of hotel amenities to avoid unnecessary leakage and wasted water
- Use a light control system to automatically adjust lighting according to a need-based schedule
- Engage in sustainability and energy saving education/training.
Reducing our Carbon Footprint from Food
- At InterContinental Kaohsiung, our restaurants, including the all-day buffet Seeds, Chinese restaurant Zhan Lu, lobby bar BL.T33, bakery Delicatesse, and Japanese restaurant WA-RA, use at least 50% local ingredients, which greatly reduces our carbon footprint from food.
- In our pursuit to fulfill our commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, InterContinental Kaohsiung has made the decision to replace the imported drinking water in our SEEDS All-Day Dining Restaurant and HAWKER Restaurant with locally sourced water from our water dispensers. Furthermore, we will introduce a water fee of NT$65 for each dining customer, providing them with the option of choosing between sparkling or non-sparkling drinking water.
- Out of the water fees collected, 20% will be donated to the Homemakers Union Environmental Foundation. This organization has a longstanding dedication to ensuring the sustainability of our environment. Additionally, the ZHÀN LÙ Chinese Restaurant and WA-RA Japanese Restaurant will also be joining this initiative in the near future. We extend our gratitude to all our esteemed guests for their participation in our collective efforts to contribute to the well-being of our planet.
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As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and aligned with IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow initiative, the F&B department will implement a revised policy for food takeaway practices. For the menu for takeaway orders and unfinished leftover foods packed away for home consumption, an additional 30 NTD (1 USD) will be charged.
Breaking Down Organic Waste
- InterContinental Kaohsiung uses a biochemical bacterial kitchen waste processor that takes advantage of natural processes to break down organic waste with natural microorganisms. These bacteria decompose food waste while removing smells, so the process is free from any stinky odors. Temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels are optimized for maximum decomposition power. The treated kitchen waste can then be used as biomass fertilizer at independent organic farmers to provide them with the fertilizer, and the agricultural products are then harvested and arrive on the dining tables of InterContinental Kaohsiung.
Room Amenities
- The guest room intelligent system updates the latest information of the hotel in real time, reducing the use of paper. Contribute to the optimization of air quality.
- VICRILA tempered glass is manufactured according to the goal of minimizing the impact on the environment. The brand, through a manufacturing process that uses clean energy and glass recycling, is fully engaged in the fight against global warming.
- All room amenities are made of materials that can be recycled and reused upon discarding, part of our eco-friendly philosophy.
- Bathroom amenities are InterContinental-exclusive BLANCHE-scented large bottles from Swedish brand BYREDO, creating less plastic waste than traditional miniature bottles.
- We participate in the Nespresso capsule recycling program as part of our initiative for sustainability and environmental protection. Experience InterContinental luxury while feeling good about contributing to the healthy future of Mother Earth.
Diverse Culture team
- Cooperate with local governments and schools to provide internship and employment opportunities, bringing employment and economic benefits to the city.
- Flexible working hours, colleagues from different backgrounds are welcome to join (We have Mommy army, overseas student group, and mavericks).
- InterContinental Little Angel project improves team morale and service quality.
