Pure For The Future

Pure For The Future underpins The Datai Langkawi’s commitment to be a sustainable business. It is based on the tenets of a circular economy, which is a move away from the current linear model of take-make-waste through the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. Our sustainability initiatives were the result of a rigorous assessment of the impact of our operations on the environment and are focused on reducing waste which would either end up in a landfill or the sea (thus ending up as pollution) by making it recyclable, upcyclable or returning it back into nature in an organic form.

Objectives & Achievements

Our ambition is to achieve zero waste to the landfill whilst protecting nature and improving the welfare of the local community. Our programme involves recycling and upcycling initiatives, community projects that champion sustainable micro-enterprises and natural produce, guest education programmes that promote ‘green living’, and initiatives to reduce energy and our carbon footprint.

Zero Waste to the Landfill

We’re aiming to achieve Zero Waste to the Landfill through increasing our recycling and upcycling initiatives at The Datai Langkawi. These include: wastewater management; in-house water bottling; banning the use of single-use plastics; transforming food waste into soil for cultivating plants and herbs; and upcycling materials like wax, plastic and glass. Between March 2019 and July 2021: up to 93% of waste has been processed at the resort, 558,540 kg of waste and 90,392 glass bottles have been saved from going to the landfill, 28.1 tonnes of fertiliser compost has been produced from food waste and 10,223 candles have been upcycled.

Reducing our Carbon Footprint

Reducing our carbon footprint and energy wastage is an increasing area of focus. We have made inroads on this by significantly reducing waste to the landfill (which contributes towards greenhouse gases). We are also working with EarthCheck, a highly reputable industry body, to identify more ways to effectively measure our footprint and reduce it. From March 2019 to December 2020: 622,414 CO2-e has been prevented from polluting our environment by not sending waste to landfill, and 343,176 KwH of energy has been saved (enough to supply 171 kampung houses for a year).

Community Outreach

New sustainability initiatives have been introduced within the community as well as support of local culture and heritage through the offering of traditional craft-making activities (e.g. batik workshops), and promoting natural well-being practices (e.g. propolis soap making). In partnership with local NGO, Sahabat Alam Langkawi (SALAM), we nurture micro-businesses and local entrepreneurship, especially with disadvantaged and marginalised members of our extended community. To date, 10 single mothers and other beneficiaries have been provided employment to upcycle reused items, 2 tonnes of clothes, footwear and books have been donated to those in need, and 170 kg of food have been delivered to the needy from our monetary contribution through SALAM.

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Guest and Staff Education Programmes

In partnership with the community, we have developed a range of recycling and upcycling activities and workshops for guests to promote ‘green living’. These include recycling candles and natural soap-making, as well as staff programmes to stimulate continuous innovation on our sustainability and conservation initiatives. Between March 2019 and December 2020: 23 workshops with local artisans on craft and sustainable practices were conducted, 200 bars of soap have been upcycled and 247 concrete bricks have been produced from upcycled glass.

Making A Difference

Remi Giromella, Pillar Leader, Pure For The Future, The Datai Pledge | Quality Control and Improvement Manager, The Datai Langkawi

"It’s been over two years now since The Datai Pledge began its beautiful journey of conservation and sustainability. I am very proud to be leading the Pure For The Future Pillar with the support of a dedicated and passionate team who always go the extra mile. Our initiatives have developed well with some exciting achievements, but we’ve also seen some challenging times.

On a personal note, working on sustainability initiatives within a luxury hotel has always been a dream work experience for me. This, along with helping the community whilst minimising our impact on the surrounding environment, has been incredibly rewarding. I am looking forward to achieving zero waste to the landfill in 2021 and attaining another key milestone for the programme."

Zakwan Zamri, The Garden Manager, The Datai Langkawi

“It’s been really encouraging to see all the efforts of our sustainability initiatives start to show results, especially the reduction of waste to the landfill and our ‘no single-use plastics’ policy. In addition, guests have been very appreciative of our efforts and have often shared constructive suggestions to improve the programme. Together with my team, we always try to diversify the products that can be offered at the Permaculture Garden, and to increase our knowledge of agriculture and permaculture in particular.”

Piet Van Zyl, Advisor, The Datai Pledge | Sustainability and Closed-loop Specialist, Positive Impact Forever

"Over the last few years, The Datai Langkawi has been working hard to ensure that the hotel is as sustainable as possible and reducing its environmental footprint drastically. With the launch of The Datai Pledge, they are taking this another step further by ensuring that this will be done, not only now but for the future, and I am privileged to have played a small part in the formation of the Pure for the Future pillar of The Datai Pledge and to keep on being involved in this honorable cause."

Mark Garrett, Advisor, The Datai Pledge | Permaculture Expert, Mark Garrett Permaculture

"‘Nature is the best teacher’ and Permaculture provides positive solutions for us all to create environmentally sustainable, harmonious and abundant ways of living."