Mumbai : Accor Group’s sustainable development initiative – PLANET 21 is the day when Accor employees worldwide mobilize in favour of a greener 
environment. Accor Hotels and by extension, Sofitel Luxury Hotels, have made 21 commitments to act together for the well-being of our world. PLANET 21 initiatives reaffirm its promise towards responsible development with a goal of protecting our planet and the environment.
This year, celebrating World Earth Day, Sofitel Mumbai BKC organized an extensive sapling plantation drive and a healthy breakfast for their guests.
In the past Sofitel Mumbai BKC has supported the ‘Earth Hour’ by switching off exterior lights, non-essential lighting in public areas, offices, cafeteria and decorative lights across the property from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, and also encouraged their guests in the hotel to participate.
Mr. Biswajit Chakraborty, General Manager, Sofitel Mumbai BKC says, “In our Planet 21 initiative, the hotel regularly conducts activities including a unique Coffee Bean Waste Project where used coffee beans are collected from all areas of the hotel and transferred into the Waste Converter Machine to create recycled waste that is later used as manure for plants. The hotel is happy to encourage greenery and gardening by pledging support to a healthier environment.”
Further steps taken to reduce the carbon footprint by the hotel have included:
Incandescent lamps changed to CFL in rooms and corridors, saving 95,000 KW of units per year
By working closely with Housekeeping and Front Office, air-conditioning in all vacant rooms is shut down to conserve energy, resulting in savings of approximately 10 KW per room per day, amounting to total saved units of 91,250 KW
Changed minimum room temperature criteria from 200C to 230C and light consumption has been minimised in all Back of House areas and car park, saving 155 KW per month
Building Management System time scheduled for restaurants and kitchens, saving 450 KW per month
Replaced all 453 halogen lamps in the hotel to LED, saving 9,143 KW per month
Rescheduled ventilation and exhaust usage in running hours, saving 25 KW per month
Chilled water outlet temperature of 70C was maintained between 90C to 120C in the chiller based on ambient temperature and banquet events, resulting in savings of 3,000 KW per day
Source : Lokesh Shastri