A green heart for greener holidays

In the middle of Okada Manila’s colorful and sparkling “Enchanting Christmas Village” sits a humble but cheerful corner with a mission that will outlast the festivities of the holiday season.

The Okada Green Heart (OGH) booth, showcasing the Forbes integrated five-star resort’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives, serves as an inspiring call to action to the public who are offering their gifts at the holiday haven of the property in order to design it yourself. Make your own meaningful contribution to protecting the environment and generally improving the world and society.

It speaks to a direction that Okada Manila has been implementing within its luxurious walls for some time.

At first glance, the OGH booth fits in with the other booths in the Okada Manila bazaar corridor. The festive blue and white colors are reminiscent of a snowy Christmas and the items on display are gift items, from baskets, brooms and shirts to scarves. However, this booth is different because it highlights the products and offerings of local manufacturers and homegrown businesses, the way the hotel supports Filipino entrepreneurship, and the diverse communities from which it emerges.

Regional and organically produced food at the buffet.

A few more minutes of lingering and exploring the booth beyond shopping activities can shed light on Okada Manila’s ESG measures. The OGH stand represents the Okada Green Heart program, which Byron Yip, president and chief operating officer of the hotel, describes as “a comprehensive sustainability program with a seven-year roadmap based on the 2030 Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.” ensures that our efforts make a meaningful contribution to global sustainability goals.”

First, Okada Manila replaces single-use plastic bottles with a more sustainable alternative: high-quality, filtered water bottled directly on property. This initiative was made possible through a partnership with Nordaq, a Swedish company known for its cutting-edge water filtration technology. With this new system, Okada Manila can produce 1,000 bottles of water per hour, all served in reusable glass bottles.

sustainability

The Okada Green Heart stand. PHOTOS FROM OKADA MANILA

This sustainable approach improves the quality of water provided to guests while eliminating the use of approximately 2 million single-use plastic bottles per year. Plastic waste remains one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems. Millions of tons are dumped into oceans and landfills every day, endangering ecosystems and human health alike.

Other water conservation measures include gray water recycling systems, high-efficiency plants and a sewage treatment plant that recycles all wastewater for non-potable uses, thereby preventing discharge into Manila Bay. Rain and condensate technology collects and treats rainwater for use in the well.

After the water comes the food. Under the OGH program, Okada Manila implements sustainable dining practices in its branches. Fresh, sustainably grown products and ingredients are a priority, with an emphasis on locally grown and organic produce, responsibly sourced seafood, and cruelty-free eggs and meat. “At Okada Manila, guests can enjoy their meals with the confidence that they are prepared with sustainability and responsibility in mind,” says Yip.

In terms of waste management, the hotel has partnered with the Scholars of Sustenance Philippines to participate in food rescue programs. From May to September 2024, it donated more than 1,700 kilograms of food and distributed more than 7,500 meals to local communities.

Energy efficiency is another focus of the OGH program. Motion sensors and in-room tablets ensure that rooms automatically adjust lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Approximately 75 percent of the LED lighting is located in the hotel’s retail stores. Batangas laundry replaced diesel with LPG to reduce air pollution. From May to September 2024, Okada Manila reduced 4,527 kg of its carbon emissions.

“We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment, promoting sustainable development and making a positive difference in our community and on the planet,” affirms Yip.

The Okada Green Heart stand is open to the public until January 5, 2025. To find out more, click https://www.okadamanila.com/okada-green-heart.