B2b sale at Cinnamon’s city hotels to mark World Environment Day

• Colourful and trendy bags made out of recycled flexi banners on sale on 5 June at all city properties

Cinnamon’s city hotels join hands this World Environment Day to launch the unique Banners to bag (B2b) recycling initiative at all Cinnamon’s city properties – Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo and Cinnamon red.

A brainchild of Cinnamon Grand, the initiative is creatively themed around transforming flexi banners used as promotional material by the hotel into bags with multi-dimensional use; inspired by the 3R principles of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to achieve a well-balanced triple bottom line of People, Planet and Profit. Initially launched in 2009, this was a pioneering project in Asia, and the fourth of its kind in the world.

The key focus is on reducing waste that could arise from discarding banners; usually through incineration, which releases harmful gases to the environment, or by dumping into landfills which result in blockage of waterways and other channels. Broadening its social impact, proceeds from the sale of bags are channelled towards the Children’s Ward of the Maharagama Cancer Hospital and cancer-related awareness initiatives.

This year, the benefits of the project are extended beyond just one hotel, tripling the impact of this environmentally-positive cause. Over 200 banners have been collected and converted into fashionable totes, duffels, wristlets and more by retired tailors of Cinnamon Grand, who after five years of designing the B2b bag collections are now experts in this trade.

The bags will be on sale on 5 June on World Environment Day at the city hotels, enabling guests of all three properties to join in the good cause of saving the environment. Affordably priced from Rs. 350 to Rs.800, the bags are unique pieces that will stand out at any function.

Associates of the three properties got together to promote the bags in a fun photo-shoot with the aim of building awareness among the community.

B2b has been endorsed by 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Co-Laureate Prof. Mohan Munasinghe, who cited it as a prime example of business innovation applied to promote sustainable development.

John Keells Holdings Executive Vice President and Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Sector Head – City Hotels Rohan Karr noted that this initiative would strengthen the city hotels image as responsible corporate stewards.

“To us, being green goes beyond rhetoric; we put it into practice and want to permeate the message of preserving this planet to as many as we possibly can. This is why we are proactive with the younger generation. We want them to experience nature, be responsible in disposal and waste management, enjoy the fruits of being green and be ecologically conscious,” he said.

“It is heartening to note that, the three Cinnamon’s city properties have come on board to partner this unique initiative this year,” Karr added. “As a corporate entity that has sustainability at the core of all operations, Cinnamon Grand is committed towards inculcating a greener mind-set amongst all stakeholders. This project has certainly been an impetus to showcase how a simple recycling initiative can contribute towards the greater cause of sustainability. In partnering with Cinnamon Lakeside and Cinnamon Red, we have been able to further expand the reach of the project, creating greater awareness and reducing environmental hazards, whilst positively impacting the social dynamics.”

In addition to the B2b sale, the hotels have also organised a special Environment Day week to keep the momentum going.