The Westin Mumbai Garden City Achieves ISO 14001 Certification for Exemplary Environmental and Sustainability Practices

The Westin Mumbai Garden City proudly announces its achievement of the ISO 14001 certification, a globally recognized standard for effective environmental management systems. This significant accomplishment reflects the hotel’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, resource efficiency, and its ongoing efforts to minimize environmental impact while providing an exceptional guest experience. Achieving ISO 14001 certification is a prestigious milestone for any organization, and for The Westin Mumbai Garden City, it highlights years of consistent, thoughtful environmental initiatives across various fronts.

A Holistic Approach to Sustainability

The hotel’s sustainability strategy is rooted in four key pillars—Nurture, Sustain, Empower, and Welcome—which form the foundation of its eco-conscious efforts.

Nurture: Investing in People and Skills

Central to the hotel’s sustainability journey has been its focus on nurturing both its people and its processes. The hotel actively engaged its employees through skill-based training programs, empowering them to integrate sustainable practices into their daily operations. These training sessions also encouraged staff to contribute innovative ideas, ensuring that sustainability remained at the core of the company’s strategy. Engaging employees in this way has fostered a culture of environmental consciousness, making them vital contributors to the hotel’s environmental success.

Sustain: Responsible Operations and Resource Management

The Westin Mumbai Garden City has implemented several resource-saving initiatives to promote responsible sourcing and significantly reduce water, energy, and food waste. Key actions under this pillar include:

• Water Conservation Initiatives: The hotel has reduced its water usage by 39% as compared to 2023. This initiative encompasses a variety of measures such as: Installation of low-flow fixtures. Implementing water reuse technologies and optimizing work processes to minimize water consumption without compromising guest satisfaction. Utilization of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) water for cooling towers and irrigation, reducing the need for fresh water. Adoption of drip irrigation systems for the hotel’s lush landscaping to minimize water waste. Installation of sensor faucets in all back-of-house areas to ensure that water is only used when necessary.
• Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction: The hotel has taken several steps to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions and has seen a reduction of 2.17% in energy and gas usage as compared to 2023. One of the most notable projects is the installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers, encouraging guests and employees to opt for eco-friendly transportation options. The focus on energy efficiency extends to the use of LED lighting throughout the property, optimizing building systems to conserve energy and reduce emissions.
• Waste Reduction and Sustainable Sourcing: In line with Marriott International’s Serve 360 Goal of reducing food waste by 50% by 2025, the hotel has adopted a wide range of waste reduction strategies. These include: A food waste management program that aims to reduce waste in the hotel’s restaurants and kitchens through efficient processes and waste tracking systems. A commitment to responsible seafood sourcing, ensuring that all seafood served aligns with sustainable fishing practices, reducing pressure on overfished stocks. Additionally a significant portion of the hotel’s menu now features plant-based options to reduce reliance on animal products, reflecting both the growing demand for sustainable food choices and the hotel’s environmental goals.

Empower: Promoting Diversity, Human Rights, and Fair Employment

As part of its sustainability commitment, The Westin Mumbai Garden City has placed a strong emphasis on human rights and responsible employment practices, ensuring that all staff receive fair treatment and opportunities for growth. Highlights of these initiatives include:

• Human Rights and Anti-Trafficking Training: All employees undergo training on human rights issues and anti-trafficking measures, ensuring that the hotel operates with integrity and in line with global ethical standards.
• Responsible Recruitment: The hotel has a strong focus on ethical recruitment, with policies in place to ensure that hiring processes are fair, transparent, and inclusive. This also includes outreach to underrepresented groups, providing opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Specially-Abled Hiring and Inclusion: The hotel actively promotes inclusivity by hiring individuals with special abilities. Currently, The Westin has employed seven specially-abled associates in key operational areas such as culinary and laundry working for the last 10 years providing them with the tools and opportunities to thrive within the organization.
• Diversity and Women Empowerment: The Westin Mumbai Garden City believes in empowering women and promoting diversity within its workforce. The hotel has significantly increased its female workforce, with 22% female representation this year, and strives to increase further. Additionally, the hotel collaborates with educational institutions in Northeast India, hiring young women who bring unique perspectives and skills to the hospitality industry.

Welcome: Fostering Inclusion and Creating Opportunities

As part of its broader sustainability efforts, The Westin Mumbai Garden City focuses on initiatives that promote inclusion and opportunities for underrepresented communities:

• Project Pranita: As part of their initiative, Project Pranita, the hotel has also welcomed three talented young women from an NGO as interns across various departments. The hotel is committed to supporting their education in tourism through the IGNOU bachelor's program and is also paying them a stipend for the work they do here at the hotel, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to succeed. The hotel is also providing them with a stipend for the work they do here at the hotel.
• Flexi-Hours for Retired Professionals: Recognizing the value of experience and wisdom, the hotel is exploring opportunities to engage retired professionals for flexi-hour roles in key operational areas. This initiative aims to support individuals seeking to re-enter the workforce while benefiting from their wealth of knowledge and experience.

Pioneering Sustainable Practices: Water Bottling, Hydroponics, and More

The Westin Mumbai Garden City has embraced cutting-edge sustainability practices to reduce its environmental footprint while delivering high-quality experiences to guests. Some of the standout initiatives include:

• In-House Water Bottling Plant: The hotel has eliminated single-use plastic bottles across all guest rooms, and F&B venues by installing an in-house water bottling plant. This initiative not only reduces plastic waste but also showcases the hotel’s dedication to sustainable operations.
• Millet Offerings in F&B: The hotel has embraced the use of millet as a core ingredient in its F&B offerings, integrating this ancient grain into buffet menus and promotional food festivals. Millet, known for its low water usage and high nutritional value, is an environmentally friendly alternative that aligns with the hotel’s sustainability goals.

"Achieving the ISO 14001 certification is a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. At The Westin Mumbai Garden City, we believe that true hospitality extends beyond our guests to the environment we share. This certification reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team to reduce our ecological footprint, implement responsible practices, and foster an inclusive, sustainable future for both our community and the planet."

Sumeet Suri, General Manager, The Westin Mumbai Garden City

This certification is a testament to the collective efforts of the hotel’s team, partners, and guests who have all contributed to building a sustainable future together.

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