The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh has become one of the first hotels in Scotland to receive Gold Certification from The PLEDGE on Food Waste, a globally recognised accreditation for food waste reduction in the hospitality sector.
The hotel joined the initiative in 2023 as part of its wider sustainability commitments, adopting a structured framework across kitchen and food operations. Over the past 12 months, it has reduced food waste per cover by 13%, saved more than 9,200kg of surplus food, and cut 23 tonnes of CO₂ emissions—the equivalent of removing five petrol cars from the road for a year.
The shift has also brought financial returns. In the last year alone, the hotel recorded savings of over £13,800 on food costs and reduced overall food expenditure by 1%.
General Manager Martijn Zengerink said, “This is more than an award, it’s a validation of our entire team’s commitment to responsible hospitality. The PLEDGE has enabled us to drive tangible results and demonstrate that luxury doesn’t need to come at the planet’s expense.”
He added, “We’re incredibly proud to have achieved Gold status. It is a clear sign that sustainability can go hand in hand with excellence in service, dining and guest experience.”
The certification assesses hotels and restaurants across seven key areas, including kitchen waste handling, food waste monitoring, staff training, guest engagement, and post-consumer strategy. Audits are independently carried out by a third-party assessor.
Sheraton Grand’s team has long prioritised seasonal produce and local sourcing. Its participation in The PLEDGE offered a framework to formalise and extend that ethos.
“Our guests expect more than just a five-star stay,” said Martijn. “They want assurance that we’re operating in a way that respects people, produce and the planet. The PLEDGE gave us a framework to elevate what we were already doing and go even further.”
The Gold Certification is the highest tier awarded by The PLEDGE and places the Sheraton Grand among a small number of global hotels recognised for leadership in tackling food waste.
