GUAVA Amenities helps global hospitality chains, airlines and cruise liners improve profits by embracing sustainability at scale. The hospitality and tourism industry generated US$9.2 trillion in 2019, accounting for more than 10 per cent of the global gross domestic product, making it a critical component of the global economy. However, a 200-room hotel can generate some 300,000 pieces of single-use plastic monthly. This global crisis certainly requires a global solution. Since 2015, GUAVA has been developing a suite of sustainable solutions to address this, guided by the four stewardship values of interdependence, long-term view, ownership mentality and creative resilience.

Embracing sustainability at scale

GUAVA’s clients have expressed that the key challenge in implementing scalable sustainability efforts is about ensuring local affordability. Systemic and extensive collaboration across the ecosystem is necessary. Therefore, GUAVA pioneered an ecosystem business model that decentralises production, and GUAVA directly distributes products to its clients without intermediaries. GUAVA views itself as an orchestrator of global resources, working alongside strategic partners in its ecosystem to rapidly reconfigure and develop solutions to meet the ever-changing market dynamics.

By decentralising the manufacturing process, GUAVA creates a more resilient supply chain for its clients. The company helps its clients source products from cost-competitive locations in-country or in-territory. This helps organisations reduce carbon emissions while creating local jobs. GUAVA’s partnerships with non-profit organisations also benefit local communities and the environment.

Distributing directly to its clients has helped GUAVA put in place a programme that reduces waste. GUAVA’s solutions were developed to minimise waste and carbon emissions. These solutions also helped clients reduce their costs by more than 20 per cent. GUAVA’s packaging solutions reduce waste volume by 99 per cent and carbon emissions by 50 per cent compared to conventional packaging options.

Supporting stakeholders through Covid-19 and the post-pandemic world

During the pandemic, the bulk of its business collapsed overnight as borders were closed and travel was halted. GUAVA adapted to its clients’ changing needs. It expanded its production to include healthcare supplies such as masks, hand sanitisers and other personal protective equipment, as well as food and beverage consumables, including cutlery and disposable containers. These two new business verticals are now integrated into GUAVA’s business, enabling it to gain new customer segments and reducing its reliance on hospitality and travel.

GUAVA also supported its suppliers during falling demand by streamlining product varieties. GUAVA’s suppliers were thus able to optimise their production and better manage their costs.

Together with its partners, GUAVA is working towards its 2030 goals: 50 per cent carbon emission reduction at manufacturing sites, 90 per cent plastics reduction through design innovation and material substitution, and 50 per cent waste reduction per property served through product innovation and packaging optimisation.

Mr Gabriel Tan, CEO of GUAVA Amenities, with Ms Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Global Compact, and other SDG Pioneer awardees at the UN General Assembly

As travel resumes, GUAVA is scaling up its offerings globally and developing innovations that would accelerate the rate at which its sustainable solutions are adopted.