The age old premise that sustainability reduces effectiveness, is incorrect. More precisely, it’s outdated. We spoke to Mr. Cevat Arslan, Director of Engineering at Lapita, Dubai Parks & Resorts, Autograph Collection to shine a light on Lapita’s  sustainable cleaning best practices. 

What does sustainability mean to you?

Sustainability, to me, is a holistic approach to improve the quality of life for present and future generations. While our sustainable activities primarily focus on the environmental aspect, it extends beyond just reducing our carbon footprint. We offer our guests high-quality, environmentally friendly stays, with a commitment to responsible tourism. 

Upon entering their rooms, guests notice that we've replaced plastic water bottles with glass bottles, eliminated small shampoo bottles in favor of eco-friendly dispensers, and provided separate recycling bins.The smallest details, like separate recycling bins, reinforce our ethos.

We also encourage guests to participate in water conservation efforts by offering linen and towel reuse options. Furthermore, guests can enjoy our organic food selections, grown in our very own hydroponic farm, which features a variety of green produce like lettuce and kale. As they explore our gardens, they'll notice solar-powered streetlights, illuminating pathways showcasing our dedication to eco-conscious practices.

In essence, sustainability isn’t just a checkbox for us; it’s ingrained in every aspect of our operations. We strive to create a balance between providing a memorable guest experience and caring for the environment.

Tell us about your initiatives in sustainable cleaning implemented to minimize your environmental impact while ensuring guest safety.

Absolutely! We prioritize eco-friendly practices in our cleaning procedures to reduce our environmental impact and ensure guest safety. One of the ways we achieve this is by using environmentally friendly cleaning chemicals in reusable bottles. This strategic move not only reduces plastic waste but also ensures that harmful chemicals are kept out of the environment.. Our housekeeping team utilizes automatic cleaning dispensers to prevent chemical waste and ensure efficient use of resources.

In our kitchen, we’ve invested in eco-friendly automatic dishwashers, which conserves water and reduces energy consumption for cleaning purposes. We're actively planning to incorporate Ecolab automatic detergent stations to further enhance our sustainable cleaning practices.

As mentioned earlier, we have a towel and linen reuse program, where guests can indicate their preference to reuse these items, reducing the frequency of washing. This simple practice saves water, energy, and detergent, contributing to a more sustainable overall operation.

In summary, our sustainable cleaning practices not only minimizes our environmental footprint, but also ensures that our guests can enjoy a clean and safe stay.

Do you face any challenges in implementing sustainable cleaning measures and if yes, how do you overcome them? 

One of the challenges we face is the need to train our staff members on new cleaning procedures, products, and equipment, which can be time-consuming and require resources. To overcome this challenge, we work closely with our suppliers who provide training sessions for our team on the new solutions.

How do you ensure that the hygiene solutions you use have a sustainable life cycle?

To ensure that our hygiene solutions have a sustainable life cycle, we've implemented various strategies across our operations at Lapita. Our water bottling system, for example, follows a completely sustainable cycle. We clean and refill the same bottles once the water has been consumed, significantly reducing waste while maintaining the highest standards of hygiene.

Furthermore, we use cleaning materials in dispensers for both guest rooms and general operations, which minimizes the need for plastic bottles and contributes to waste reduction. Our hydroponic farm also plays a role in sustainable hygiene solutions, as it produces green products using only water, without the need for chemical pesticides.

By adopting these measures, we can confidently say that our hygiene solutions adhere to a sustainable life cycle, ultimately reducing our environmental impact and promoting eco-friendly practices.

How does Lapita manage water conservation and reduce plastic waste in its hygiene practices?

At Lapita, we've implemented several strategies to conserve water and minimize plastic waste in our hygiene practices through a series of innovative initiatives. One of those key initiatives is the installation of flow restrictors in our taps and a dual-button toilet flushing system, which significantly helps reduce water consumption.

Additionally, we've introduced a water bottling system that is closely monitored by our hygiene manager to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and safety. Our reusable glass bottles are thoroughly cleaned, washed, and disinfected before being filled with water. Each bottle is labeled with an expiration date, and the reusable glass bottles we use are of high quality, manufactured in Germany, ensuring they can be used multiple times.

We also regularly send our drinking water samples to a laboratory for analysis, which helps us maintain stringent quality control standards. The shelf life of our drinking water is 28 days, and we make sure to refill the bottles before they reach their expiration date.

Our goal is to reduce plastic waste by eliminating the use of approximately 500,000 plastic bottles. By implementing these water conservation and plastic waste reduction practices, we aim to contribute positively to environmental sustainability while offering our guests a safe and eco-friendly experience.

In what way does Lapita educate guests about its sustainable hygiene practices and encourage their participation in eco-friendly initiatives during their stay?

Lapita employs a multifaceted approach by educating guests about its sustainable hygiene practices and encouraging their participation in eco-friendly initiatives during their stay.. Upon arrival, guests are provided with informative cards or brochures in their rooms that highlight the hotel's sustainable practices. These materials explain the importance of water bottling systems, waste management, and hydroponic farms, along with practical tips on how guests can contribute during their stay.

In addition to these informative materials, Lapita engages guests in fun and interactive activities that promote sustainability. For example, we have previously organized plantation and herb garden activities, which were particularly enjoyable for children. This year, we have planned exciting hydroponic farm activities, and we eagerly await the participation of our little guests and their families.

This approach fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for sustainability, ensuring a memorable and environmentally responsible stay for all guests.