A Conversation with Shyam Kumar on Sustainable Hospitality at DoubleTree Whitefield

At a time when sustainability in hospitality is often framed through targets and certifications, DoubleTree by Hilton Whitefield is taking a more operational approach embedding responsible practices into everyday decision-making across departments. Led by General Manager Shyam Kumar, the hotel has integrated sustainability across food and beverage, engineering, housekeeping, procurement, and people practices, while also setting a benchmark for inclusive hiring within Hilton’s South Asia portfolio. In this interaction, Kumar outlines how sustainability at the property is shaped less by scale and more by consistency, accountability, and care.

How is sustainability integrated across every department at DoubleTree by Hilton Whitefield?

He Says; At DoubleTree by Hilton Whitefield, sustainability is practiced as an everyday discipline rooted in Hilton’s ethos of CARE for people, communities, and the planet. Rather than being confined to a single function, it is integrated across departments through thoughtful operational choices. Engineering teams focus on responsible energy and water stewardship; culinary teams emphasise seasonal sourcing, waste-conscious menu planning, and ingredient respect; housekeeping adopts mindful consumption practices; and procurement favours durability, traceability, and local partnerships. Sustainability is reinforced through training, daily conversations, and shared accountability, ensuring that it becomes instinctive rather than instructional.

DoubleTree by Hilton Whitefield employs the highest number of persons with disabilities among Hilton hotels in South Asia, including an acid attack survivor. How does inclusive hiring align with your sustainability philosophy?

Inclusive hiring reflects our belief that true hospitality begins with belonging. Employing persons with disabilities including an acid attack survivor is aligned with our commitment to creating spaces of dignity, opportunity, and respect. This approach views inclusion not as charity, but as equity. Ability-friendly workspaces are supported through accessible infrastructure, adaptive role design, and sensitisation across teams to foster empathy and mutual respect. This commitment is further reflected in Hilton being recognised as a Great Place to Work for the third time globally, reinforcing our focus on strengths, capability, and workplaces where difference is normalised and contribution is valued an essential pillar of social sustainability.

Which sustainability initiatives have delivered the most measurable impact so far?

Replying to it he says; Our most tangible progress has emerged from focusing on fundamentals. Reductions in food waste through careful forecasting, portioning, and reuse practices; measurable decreases in water and energy consumption through efficient systems; and improved waste diversion through segregation and specialised recycling partnerships have delivered clear outcomes. These initiatives are guided by the principle that small, consistent actions when sustained create meaningful impact over time.

Which sustainability practices at DoubleTree Whitefield can the wider hospitality industry easily replicate?

Many of our sustainability practices are grounded in quiet simplicity, allowing them to be both effective and easily shared. Herb gardens draw the kitchen closer to the earth, shortening food miles while restoring a sense of season, freshness, and care in cooking. The mindful reuse and recycling of linens honours material longevity and reflects a respect for resources already in our care.

In parallel, the gradual move away from single-use plastics signals a commitment to conscious consumption. In-house water bottling reduces plastic dependence while encouraging thoughtful use of shared resources. Equally vital are deliberate efforts to reduce food waste, where planning, restraint, and reverence for ingredients ensure that nothing is overlooked or taken for granted.

These values extend into how we celebrate and engage. Our Christmas tree, crafted from Channapatna wooden toys, reimagines festive tradition through craftsmanship and reuse, while our weekly association with The Good Doll at the Rital Hub reflects an ongoing commitment to community and social responsibility. Together, these practices affirm that responsible hospitality is shaped not by scale, but by intention, consistency, and care.

Your sustainability efforts extend beyond the hotel from terrace herb gardens and recycling cigarette butts with BULB India to supporting local artisans with plastic-free alternatives. How do such partnerships contribute to community impact, and what role can hotels play as sustainability leaders in urban India?

Our partnerships extend sustainability beyond the hotel, reinforcing our role as a responsible urban neighbour. Terrace herb gardens shorten supply chains while reconnecting food with its origins. Recycling cigarette butts with BULB India addresses a toxic waste stream often ignored. Collaborating with local artisans to introduce plastic-free alternatives supports livelihoods and preserves craft traditions.

In rapidly growing cities, hotels can act as quiet leaders demonstrating how everyday choices, when guided by purpose, can contribute to resilient communities and more responsible urban living.

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