(Hong Kong, 4 December 2018) Further to the pledge in June 2018 to ban plastic straws and reduce consumption of single-use plastic across all properties in Hong Kong, Sino Hotels announces today a complete substitution of plastic bottled water with smart filtered water stations by the end of 2018. This is the first hotel-wide movement in Hong Kong to remove plastic bottled water from all guest premises. From Jan 2019, Sino Hotels will save 1.6 million plastic bottles from 2,100 guest rooms and facilities serviced every year, by installing nearly 100 smart water stations in 6 properties.
Sino Hotels has partnered with Urban Spring to install nearly 100 smart filtered water stations in City Garden Hotel, Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel, Island Pacific Hotel, The Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers, The Olympian Hong Kong, and the Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club. This is by far the largest network of water stations by quantity and locations in Hong Kong under one group.
“The extensive measure is a step forward from the sustainability pledge by Sino Group earlier this year on single-use of plastic reduction across the board,” said Mr Kevin Chuc, Group General Manager of Sino Hotels. “Through this commitment, we are educating our staff and influencing our guests to join in concerted effort to protect the Earth by reducing use of plastic.”
The water stations have been on pilot run at The Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers and Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel starting November 2018. They are distributed in easily accessible and visible locations on selected guest floors for convenience and a fresh experience. The reception is positive and guests have been using the glass flask provided in their rooms for water refill.
These sleek water stations offered at Sino Hotels are called Well# , which uses data, sensor, real-time alerts and remote monitoring to ensure clean filtered drinking water is consistently served to the hotel guests. Fitted with International NSF Certified Filtration System, and designed with a hidden, self-rinsing nozzle, the trusted quality of drinking water has all impurities removed.
“Urban Spring is delighted to align with a partner who shares the same goal in driving for a greener and better Hong Kong,” said Ms Ada Yip, CEO of Urban Spring. “Filtered water station is a sustainable option to replace plastic bottled water. The commitment by Sino Hotels not only reduces single-use of plastic, but also impacts on the behaviour and experience of guests in consuming water. We hope the mentality will be spread across the territory and beyond Hong Kong, beginning with the hotel guests.”
A unique interactive screen on the Well# displays accumulative number of plastic bottles saved as a reinforcement to guests who are making a difference to the environment. Sino Hotels will also be utilising the interactive screen to educate and entertain our guests with environmental content while they refill their flasks.
Sino Hotels strives to reduce single-use plastic where possible. All hotel commitments in Hong Kong will be contributing to Sino Group’s pledge to reduce consumption of single-use plastic across all business lines by 50% by 2022 from 2017 level.
About Sino Hotels
Sino Group comprises of three listed companies in Hong Kong, namely Sino Land Company Limited (HKSE: 83), Tsim Sha Tsui Properties Limited (HKSE: 247) and Sino Hotels (Holdings) Limited (HKSE: 1221) and private companies owned by the Ng Family.
Sino Hotels collectively refers to hotels owned and / or managed under Sino Group, it encompasses over 3,600 guestrooms and suites in ten hotels across Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. The growing portfolio includes seven hotels in Hong Kong, namely The Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers, City Garden Hotel, Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel, Island Pacific Hotel, The Pottinger Hong Kong, The Olympian Hong Kong and Conrad Hong Kong, as well as three in Asia-Pacific, namely The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore and The Westin Sydney. Sino Hotels also owns and operates the exclusive Gold Coast Yacht & Country Club in Hong Kong.
As a trusted brand of the hospitality industry, each property in Sino Hotels’portfolio offers a unique experience while sharing the mission of providing the best possible services and facilities to create a home away from home.
www.sino-hotels.com
About Urban Spring
Urban Spring is a mission driven company committed to significantly reduce single-use plastic bottles by offering well-designed and well-maintained water refill stations for different locations and occasions. Established in September 2015, Urban Spring has been redefining the water drinking experience outside of home by building an innovative refreshing water refill network in Hong Kong.
www.urbanspring.hk