Hello, everyone!

We kicked off April with the first installment of our special report series spotlighting bold ideas and game-changing solutions shaping a more sustainable future for Asia’s F&B industry.

Last week, we delved into innovative ways to make plastic packaging waste a thing of the past.

This week’s Feature Story turns the spotlight on smart tech solutions helping hotels and restaurants plan more efficiently, reduce food waste, and operate with precision.

Lastly, we’re partnering with Baotree to host a webinar on Thursday, April 24, titled "Beyond Greenwashing: Enabling Verifiable Storytelling in Sustainable Travel." Check the registration details below.

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Cut Waste & Emissions, Not Flavor: Tech Solutions for Hotels & Restaurants

The hospitality industry loses billions each year while contributing to a global food waste crisis, over USD 1 trillion worth of food is discarded annually.

In 2022 alone, 1 billion tonnes of food waste accounted for 8–10% of global emissions, nearly five times more than aviation.

With travel and tourism responsible for 6.5% of global emissions, the environmental toll of business-as-usual hospitality is impossible to ignore.

In Asia, the challenge is even more complex: fragmented supply chains, uneven tech adoption, and deeply rooted dining traditions call for innovative, region-specific solutions.

Innovations like AI-powered forecasting and blockchain for supply chain transparency help hoteliers and restaurateurs improve their operations and rethink sustainable dining.

Below, we look at actionable strategies and technologies driving this shift, along with their limitations and trade-offs.

AI for Smart Planning, Menu Engineering, and Waste Control

Artificial intelligence (AI) is proving to be one of the most powerful tools in reducing food waste by addressing inefficiencies in kitchen operations.

Through advanced data analysis, AI can forecast diner demand, identify waste hotspots, and enable data-informed menu adjustments.

An example is Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, which achieved a 73% reduction in food waste by deploying Winnow’s AI-powered tool. The technology analyzed historical data and identified overproduction during weekends when demand dipped by 30–40%.

This enabled the hotel to adapt its preparation efforts and find innovative ways to use excess vegetables and rice by turning them into dishes like stews and fried rice. Any waste that couldn’t be avoided was processed in a food digester to create fertilizer for nearby farms. 

Orbisk, used by the likes of Sofitel The Palm in Dubai and Novotel Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, is a tool that tracks leftovers to understand what’s being discarded, and has been equally impactful.

Accor uses Fullsoon, a predictive management tool that estimates diner numbers, dish orders, and ingredient needs, streamlining purchasing and preparation to prevent overstocking and reduce waste before it occurs.

However, AI tools are not without limitations.

The initial implementation cost can be high, particularly for smaller establishments. These systems also require ongoing staff training to ensure optimal use and regular updates to adapt to changing consumer preferences.

Blockchain for Supply Chain Transparency

Blockchain technology addresses a critical pain point in the food industry: fragmented and opaque supply chains.

By recording each step of food production and transportation in an immutable digital ledger, blockchain allows businesses to verify the suppliers' origins, sustainability credentials, and ethical practices.

For instance, CP Foods in Thailand uses blockchain to monitor pork and chicken products, attaching QR codes to packaging that enable consumers to view detailed sourcing information.

Similarly, Singapore’s GrowHub offers end-to-end traceability for food products, tracking every stage of the supply chain.

However, blockchain implementation comes with its own challenges.

The technology is energy-intensive, particularly when operating on large scales, and must be paired with renewable energy sources to minimize its footprint.

Moreover, its effectiveness is contingent on consistent and accurate data entry. Without rigorous oversight, blockchain risks perpetuating inaccuracies rather than solving them.

Digital Tools for Conscious Dining

Digital menu boards and QR code menus are emerging as powerful tools for reducing waste and enhancing operational efficiency.

QR code menus can also provide valuable insights and data for businesses. By tracking customer interactions with the digital menu, restaurants can gather information on popular dishes, order frequency, and customer preferences.

Floop helps diners calculate the carbon footprint of their meals and discover low-carbon menu options. Restaurant managers can use this app to review their menus, allowing them to feature more low-carbon dishes.

Too Good To Go and Yindii provide a scalable model for tackling food waste by connecting businesses with consumers looking to purchase surplus food at reduced prices.

Tailored Solutions for Asian Hospitality

Overcoming Fragmented Supply Chains

Asia faces significant challenges in maintaining resilient supply chains due to heavy reliance on long-haul transport and infrastructure inefficiencies.

Hyperlocal farming initiatives provide a practical pathway to addressing these issues.

FarmByte is a digital-driven food aggregator leading the transformation of Malaysia’s agrofood sector. By leveraging innovative, data-driven technologies, FarmByte enhances the entire agrofood value chain.

»»» Read more about FarmByte here.

Addressing Technology Gaps and Costs

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), scaling technology adoption is often hindered by cost. Subscription-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms like HowGood and inoqo offer lower-cost, accessible alternatives. 

Join Us At the Upcoming Webinar

How can travel brands authentically share their sustainability stories while avoiding common pitfalls like greenwashing and greenhushing?

We’re partnering with Baotree for an insightful webinar, "Beyond Greenwashing: Enabling Verifiable Storytelling in Sustainable Travel."

In this session, we’ll explore how to move beyond surface-level claims to focus on transparency, data-driven storytelling, and building trust with travelers. 

What to expect:

»» Actionable strategies for creating credible sustainability narratives
»» Expert insights from industry leaders and advocates
»» Interactive discussions about your challenges
»» Practical tools to inspire meaningful change

This is your chance to gain valuable perspectives and elevate your sustainability-led initiatives. If you have questions, please share them with us in advance — we’ll address them LIVE during the session.

📅 Save the Date!

𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱
🕙 10:00 AM South Africa
🕒 3:00 PM Jakarta, Thailand, Vietnam
🕓 4:00 PM Bali, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore

📌 Reserve your spot now by scanning the QR code or clicking on this link.

Are you a travel or hospitality brand seeking a trusted partner to turn bold sustainability goals — like cutting food waste or eliminating plastic packaging— into real, measurable results?

We are building a platform where hotels and travel companies can connect with vetted sustainability providers.

»»» Check out AST Sustainability Solution Providers Directory.

Are you a solution provider looking to grow your business with Asia’s travel businesses?

»»» Join AST Sustainability Solution Providers Collective. We connect innovators like you with Asia’s travel and hospitality leaders, creating opportunities to grow your business and drive sustainable impact.

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