Authored article by Atul Bhalla, Area Manager West & East, ITC Hotels India & General Manager, ITC Maratha

Sustainability as a part of DNA, ITC Hotels commitment to Responsible Luxury and integrates world-class green practices with contemporary design elements to deliver the best of luxury in the greenest possible manner.

ITC Hotels is one of the first largest, and greenest hotel chains in the world to receive the maximum number of LEED Platinum Certification properties as per US Green Building Council. Recently, ITC Maratha, Mumbai has also been accredited as the LEED Zero Carbon Certification by USGBC. Since 2011, ITC Maratha has been conscious of its responsibility towards investing in the planet-positive sustainability practices at its core. The hotel is awarded as Most Sustainable Luxury Hotel in Maharashtra by the renowned hospitality industry forum.

The 3 Major Global Distinctions which are taken care are water positive, solid waste recycling positive and carbon positive that support the sustainable environment building towards the.

Today, the ethos of Responsible Luxury is manifested in ITC Maratha with numerous initiatives such as:

Water Positive Journey: ITC Maratha uses 47% less water than USGBC’s standard for large size Luxury Hotels by using only treated recycled water for flushing, landscape, cooling tower, exterior cleaning etc, closets result in further reduction of water consumption.

The 100% of area at ITC Maratha is covered under rain water harvesting. ITC Maratha has installed a new generation water filtration system & Aerators that helps in reducing 80% of water wastage in backwash.

Solid Waste Recycling – : The bio-gas plant diverts 2.5 lakh kg of organic waste from Mumbai’s landfill, thus reducing the burden on the Bombay Municipal Corporation. Installation of an in-house biogas plant is the 1st of its kind in the city of Mumbai ensures the wet waste generated at the property is channelized into production of bio gas fuel which in-turn is used to reduce dependence on fuel in the kitchen area.

Organic Waste Converters have been installed within the premises to ensure zero waste discharge. To achieve 100% waste recycling, measures have been introduced for waste segregation at source, with more than 99% of the total solid waste either reused or recycled through recycling programmes. More than 50% of ongoing consumables used at ITC Maratha are either local or recycled

Carbon Positive – Overall 80% of energy is used in the form of renewable sources with more than 50% is generated through the windmill, Off-site wind farms holding 6mw capacity that produce clean energy to meet power demands of the property. Thus, the total electrical energy demand at ITC Maratha is sustained through renewable energy sources. Overall energy requirement is 25% less than the Energy Performance Index (EPI) Benchmarking for 5-star hotels (Due to energy saving measures), Initiatives for efficient energy management have been incorporated in the building performance plan itself which includes installation of a chiller plant, heat pump, an electrical panel room, auto tube cleaning system and a generator room. Internal conservation of energy is also enabled through installation of energy-saving gadgets throughout the property.

Sunya Aqua initiative, which further minimises its carbon footprint, a zero-mile water crafted with a sophisticated in-house Water Purification System tends to enhance the wellness quotient of drinking

water at ITC Maratha whilst ensuring a planet positive experience; with the sourcing and bottling taking place within the premises of the hotel.

More than 45% of the food and beverage used is harvested and processed locally within 100 miles radius of the hotel thus reducing Carbon footprint. Through this initiative, the company encourages use of locally sourced, in-season food produce. More than facilitates a strong bonding with local farmers but also helps to reduce carbon footprint. The building consciously promotes cultivation of native plants (covering more than 25% of building area). Indoor environment quality – All occupied spaces provided with at least 30% more fresh air than mandated by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) standards. The plant also mitigates over 300 tonnes of GHGs (Green House Gases) every year, as climate change impact is like replacing over 500 bikes / scooters with electric bikes / scooters.

ITC Maratha has successfully implemented the alternatives for Plastic such as – Use of Glass Bottles instead of Plastic Bottles, Plastic straws replaced with Paper straws, Plastic Cutlery replaced with wooden cutlery and use of Biodegradable Packing Box for Carbon Waste Management.

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