Green Globe Honors Sofitel Bahrain for Pioneering Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa has earned its first Green Globe certification, recognizing its commitment to sustainable practices. Located off Bahrain’s western coast along the Arabian Gulf, the resort is known for its thalassotherapy treatments, utilizing the warm, inviting coastal waters.

Mehdi Hanayen, the General Manager, outlined the resort’s robust sustainability strategies, which include substantial environmental protection measures and animal welfare support. A standout initiative launched in November 2023, the Food Donation Program, supports roughly 200 stray dogs in coordination with the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture. This program diverts food leftovers from the resort to provide regular meals for these animals, managed and sheltered by the ministry.

In its kitchens, Sofitel Bahrain has integrated the Winnow system to closely monitor and minimize food waste. Utilizing AI technology, this system analyzes the type and quantity of food discarded, helping the culinary team to optimize menu planning and reduce excess. The resort also runs a ‘No Bin Day’ initiative, where bins are removed from the staff cafeteria twice weekly to encourage completion of meals and reduce waste.

Significant environmental and financial gains have been reported from these initiatives, with a reduction in food waste from October 2023 to June 2024 leading to savings of 19,819 BHD and 27.8 tons of food, cutting CO2 emissions by 119.4 tons and saving 69,398 meals.

Moreover, the resort inaugurated an onsite water bottling plant in May 2024 to cut down on single-use plastic bottles, switching entirely to reusable glass bottles that have been certified by the Ministry of Health. This move underscores Sofitel Bahrain’s broader commitment to ecological stewardship, enhancing its use of sustainable materials across all facilities.