InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is using AI-enabled technology to track, measure and reduce food waste in seven IHG hotels in its Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa region. Installation of the technology is expected in a further 30 properties in coming months. One hotel already benefitting from this approach is InterContinental Fujairah Resort, UAE, which has reduced food waste by more than 50% in just six months. IHG says the technology, from tech company Winnow, will help its hotels achieve a 30% reduction in food waste. Through the use of an intelligent camera, smart scales and AI-based smart meter technology, Winnow Vision analyzes ingredients during food preparation, as well as plates returned to the kitchen, to assess which food items are most wasted and in what quantities. This builds up a bank of data which in turn informs buying decisions, shapes menus and hones food preparation techniques, the company says. Sixty more hotels in the region have expressed their interest in signing up for the technology and IHG is currently exploring rollout to the Americas and Greater China. The hospitality company says the initiative to minimize food waste is part of its overall efforts – such as removing plastic straws and assessing water risk – to reduce its environmental impact. IHG is the first global hotel company to use the Winnow Vision AI enabled technology. Sustainability in the hotel industry is on the rise as guests increasingly demand sustainable hospitality during their holidays, according to the John Hardy Group, a hotel consultancy firm.
The InterContinental Fujairah Resort, part of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), has reported a more than 50% drop in waste in six months after partnering with tech firm Winnow. IHG first tapped into the technology to reduce food waste in its hotels by seven%. Winnow's system uses an intelligent camera, smart scales and AI-based smart meter technology to identify which foods are most wasted, helping to adjust purchases accordingly. IHG has deployed the system in 30 hotels across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, with seven more expected. The group is exploring a roll-out to the Americas and China.