An urban oasis, Swissôtel Al Murooj Dubai is part of the upscale Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts brand—originally founded in 1981 and now under the Accor group since 2015—the property reflects Swissôtel’s commitment to quality, wellness, and refinement
As part of Accor’s group-wide shift to a Sustainable Business Model, the hotel has introduced practical, measurable changes—aimed at reducing waste, cutting emissions, and educating guests.
In this case study, we spotlight two of their latest initiatives that prove even small changes in hotel operations can lead to meaningful results:
✔️ Eliminating over 10,000 single-use milk packets per month
✔️ Generating clean drinking water from the air using atmospheric water generators
The hotel’s latest innovations were rolled out across its hotel and residences, spearheaded by the team under the leadership of Prema Menon, alongside Jackson Pulicatra and Sakshi Thakur.
Removal of Single-Use Milk Packets
In a proactive and environmentally conscious effort to reduce packaging waste, Swissôtel Al Murooj Dubai has eliminated single-use plastic UHT (ultra-high temperature) milk packets from all guest rooms.
Previously, each guest room was stocked daily with two plastic milk packets as part of the standard in-room amenity setup. While convenient, these single-use containers contributed to the hotel’s overall waste output and relied on packaging that often ended up in landfills.
Recognising the environmental impact, the hotel has made a small but impactful change: removing in-room milk and shifting to a request-only service. Guests can now request complimentary milk, served in Tetrapak containers, from housekeeping at any time during their stay. This simple adjustment has already led to a noticeable reduction in single-use plastic waste, while still ensuring guest comfort and convenience.
For added flexibility, milk is also available as a charged item through in-room dining services or can be enjoyed at any of the hotel’s dining outlets.
Impact
☑️Over 10,000 plastic milk packets eliminated monthly
☑️Streamlined housekeeping operations with fewer restock items
☑️Positive guest response, particularly from eco-conscious travelers
➡️This change resulted in approximately 20 kg of plastic and foil packaging waste avoided each month.
The reduction in environmental waste has synchronised with improved operational efficiency, demonstrating how thoughtful policy can align environmental and business goals.
Atmospheric Water Generation
As a second bold step towards eliminating plastic bottles and reducing waste output, the hotel now offers guests reusable bottles filled with drinking water produced by air-to-water systems.
The Technology
At the core of this initiative is the innovative technology behind atmospheric water generators (AWGs) -drinking water is created directly from humidity in the air. These advanced systems work by drawing in ambient air, condensing the moisture through a cooling process, and then purifying it using multi-stage filtration and UV treatment.
The result is safe, clean, mineral-enriched drinking water – completely free from contaminants and produced without relying on traditional water sources or plastic packaging.
Impact
💧Plastic-free water supply with the water being supplied in glass bottles
💧Year-round access to fresh drinking water
💧High guest engagement, including interest in the technology and process
To enhance transparency and education, each reusable water bottle features a QR code linking to the story of where the water was sourced from, including detailed information about the water quality and mineral content— inviting guests to become part of the sustainability journey.
Sustainability Throughout
Swissôtel Al Murooj Dubai was proudly awarded the Green Key certification and the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) Silver Stamp as it races ahead on its journey to becoming a more sustainable hotel.
Key initiatives behind the certification:
- Energy efficiency: The hotel has installed LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, and smart thermostats to curtail energy use.
- Water conservation: Measures like low-flow faucets, efficient showerheads, and towel/linen reuse programs significantly reduce water consumption.
- Waste management: A robust recycling program is in place across the property.
- Sustainable sourcing: The hotel emphasises local, eco-friendly products to reduce its carbon footprint.
- Guest engagement: Opportunities to offset their stay with the Accor Gaïa program encourage guests to get involved.
It’s deeply inspiring to see hospitality brands like Swissôtel Al Murooj Dubai leading the way by putting sustainability at the core of their operations. These small yet mighty initiatives show that embracing sustainability doesn’t mean compromising on comfort or quality – it actually enhances the overall experience.
Looking to reduce single-use plastic in your hotel?
Explore trusted, impact-driven solutions on our Marketplace and connect directly with providers committed to making hospitality more sustainable.
To read on about how other hotels are doing their part for the planet, check out our other case studies.
If you’ve got an innovative sustainability solution to showcase, or are a hotel implementing unique sustainability initiatives that you’d like to share, get in touch with us at info@sustainabilitykiosk.com
