Tonight is not all about competition. We, alongside other hotels, are doing our best to make sure that the food that we serve is sustainable.

These days, social media has made it even more evident that the Earth is dying. With the many photos of trash-filled seas and videos of turtles with plastic straws stuck inside their noses, it is a call for concern from each and every one of us.

Fortunately, these photos and videos have made an impact on viewers and jumpstarted initiatives to revive the dying planet. An example is the Marriott Sustainability Programs from Marriott Manila and partner hotels and organizations.

Last 28 August, different organizations gathered at the Manila Marriott Hotel to show their support towards a more sustainable and cruelty-free way of handling marine life specifically for seafood delicacies.

According to Marriott’s cluster director of Marketing Communications Michelle Garcia, Marriott is an advocate for preserving the environment.

“We want to have a sustainable environment starting from our seafood, our plastic reduction and of course, food waste management,” she said.

She also explained their partnership with different organizations and hotels, stating, “we have a lot of activities — not only us. Tonight is not all about competition. We, alongside other hotels, are doing our best to make sure that the food that we serve is sustainable.”

Marriott focuses more on making seafood and farming more sustainable. The sustainable seafood movement has been present for five years.

“Sustainable seafood is one thing, but we want to make sure that the seafood we serve has a purpose and is sustainably caught. Also, all the leftovers in our buffet, we give it to Red Cross,” Garcia proudly shares.

As for the initiative for sustainable farming, Marriott proclaims that it supports local and organic farmers from Tagaytay and Nasugbu by providing them with training and buying the produce once it is harvested.

Marriott focuses more on making seafood and farming more sustainable. FLAVORSOFLIFE.COM

Alongside their seafood movement is Marriott’s movement to reduce plastic usage. Garcia says they are taking out all their single-use plastic bottles from their hotel and replacing them with glass bottles. The plastic bottles will then be used to create desks for the Philippine School for the Deaf.

Other hotels and organizations taking part in this movement are Sheraton Hotel, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Makati Shangri-La Hotel and Hilton Hotel. Organizations include Green Peace, Green Common and Slow Food.

This gathering and initiatives are in line with the Philippine Sustainability Month, a series of events with topics focusing on Global and Philippine sustainable supply chains highlighting sustainable seafood, organic and integrated farming, seaweed products, food waste reduction, plastic reducing solutions, sustainable tourism, energy and water management, GHG monitoring and carbon footprint.

Philippine Sustainability Month is organized by Pristine Solutions and Services Inc. and Peterson and Control Union.

For more information, visit www.philippinesustainabilitymonth.com to know more about the movement.