A Sophisticated Recycling System
Refuse Disposal
Refuse that cannot be recycled is treated through Phuket’s incinerator system. Organic waste is composted and used for fertilizing the gardens. Research is being undertaken to test the viability of chipping tree trunks and branches. The chips would then be spread on garden surfaces, providing aesthetic relief, reducing water evaporation and producing humus to improve soil condition.
Sewerage Disposal
No raw sewerage is discharged into the sea from the resort complex. After being treated, sewerage and wastewater are directed into a sophisticated recycling system. The resulting water is used to irrigate the gardens. Maintaining the golf course naturally requires large amount of water, so a special system has been devised. Lagoon water left highly acidic as a result of the tin mining is treated by adding excess wastewater from the hotels, with added dolomite to raise the pH level. The results are used to irrigate the golf course, thus preventing depletion of the limited local water supply. Water to supply the hotels and other resort facilities is drawn from several freshwater lakes, and run through an on-site treatment plant.
Other Environmental Matters
Green Leaf Awards received by the individual hotels reflect recognition of Laguna Phuket’s commitment to maintaining the environment through improvement of performance and efficiency in areas such as phasing out environmentally damaging products. Day-to-day operations at the resort apply the Three Rs of green management: reduce, re-use and recycle. All resort facilities have adopted responsible purchasing policies and recycled materials are used wherever possible for maintenance, renovation and upgrading work.Each hotel has a staff education program to teach the importance of caring for the environment, and consumption of energy and water is closely monitored. Hotel staff receive extensive checklists to complete, covering such areas as waste management, energy and water management, product purchase, air quality, noise pollution and community issues.
Some relevant examples of the hotels continuing efforts include: the Banyan Tree Phuket’s decision to change all their resort buggies from gas powered to electric, not only for environmental reasons, but also to reduce noise pollution. Laguna Services Company employs a permanent team of beach-cleaners to ensure that the beach area is free of refuse and potential contamination. A channel has been constructed to connect the lagoons with the sea to prevent water from becoming stagnant. Sand is dredged regularly from the lagoons and Laguna Service Company also oversees manual cleaning of the water areas, to remove any floating debris.
The lagoons provide the possibility of travel between the hotels by boat, thus eliminating excess road traffic. Hotel boiler stacks are fitted with scrubbers to prevent air pollution and all forms of external air emission are constantly monitored to ensure the least possible amount of pollution is emitted.
The resort management do not operate motorized water sports, such as jet-skis, water-skiing and parasailing, both for safety reasons and to avoid noise pollution.
Conclusion: Phuket’s continuing popularity as a holiday destination
What makes a business good? A commitment to create a lush sanctuary amid the wasteland of a spent tin mine was the first pointer to the Laguna Phuket philosophy of becoming a “good” business, in every sense of the phrase.
Growth and renewal have always been encouraged in other ways, too. As well as restoring trees and plant life, attracting birds and other wild creatures back to the area, Laguna Phuket’s lagoons provide a self-sustaining water supply. No detail is overlooked, with flowering trees and shrubs even being cultivated to boost the butterfly population.
Organic waste is composted and used as fertilizer. After being treated, sewerage and wastewater are recycled to irrigate the gardens. Water for the resort facilities is drawn from freshwater lagoons, and run through an on-site treatment plant. Other operations performed by the non-profit Laguna Service Company take care of inter-resort transport by land and water, laundry, public relations and destination marketing. Such a centralized system reduces environmental impact and improves efficiency.
Environmentally, CSR also stretches beyond the Laguna Phuket precinct. Since 1994, with the Phuket Marine Biological Centre and the Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet, Laguna Phuket has been striving to restore the endangered species of sea turtles that once laid eggs in the sand along the Andaman coast.
Annual turtle releases, fund-raising activities and support for the conservation program are part of the communal attempt to stem the steady decline in sea turtle numbers.
Culturally, Laguna Phuket supports the neighbourhood-at-large in annual festivals, processions, parades, special events and fairs, and donates equipment or facilities whenever the need is greatest.
Local Buddhists and Muslims alike have close ties to Laguna Phuket, with Muslims constituting about 15 percent of the staff. The relationship with local temples and mosques is strong, with a high-tech crematorium that minimizes environmental impact being a recent donation from Laguna Phuket to a nearby temple. Sports activities are also encouraged, with football figuring prominently. The annual Night Fishing Games at nearby Bang Tao, organized by villagers to help fund a Muslim Education Centre, involves Laguna Phuket each November in an auction for the fish along with providing breakfast for competitors.
At the heart of Laguna Phuket’s outlook on hospitality and community well-being lies its staff, many of whom live in nearby villages and townships. One early decision meant that all gratuities from guests continue to be shared by all, a decision repaid through continuing loyalty and a commitment to high standards in every endeavour.
The immediate aftermath of the December 2004 tsunami was a difficult time for tourism on the island, but Laguna Phuket retained its entire staff without having to insist, as many other hotels did, on unpaid holidays being taken. There have been no regrets about that decision.
In the future, as more visitors arrive and horizons expand, Laguna Phuket’s commitment to sustainable development, cultural awareness and the principles now embodied in Corporate Social Responsibility seem certain to remain undiminished.