FEATURES • DESTINATIONS
Beyond Hospitality:
Bisma Eight's Commitment to
Authenticity and Sustainability
Beyond Hospitality:
Bisma Eight's Commitment to Authenticity and Sustainability
Bisma Eight, an award-winning boutique hotel and villas nestled in Ubud, boasts 38 well-appointed suites and 12 private villas. The hotel, along with its renowned restaurants Copper & Embers, distinguishes itself by sourcing a generous amount of produce from its own organic farm in Tegallalang. As stewards of a piece of Bali, Bisma Eight embraces a profound responsibility. The team approaches each endeavor with the utmost respect for the cultural and ecological history of their home. Their commitment to authenticity and community engagement is evident in every aspect of their operation.
At Bisma Eight, the ethos revolves around doing everything with heart, acknowledging that there are no shortcuts in their mission. The team is dedicated to being present, in the moment, and actively involved in both their community and their work. With a keen awareness of environmental concerns, Bisma Eight has taken meaningful steps to instigate positive changes in their thinking, actions, and daily lives. This commitment reflects their aspiration to contribute a small but impactful change, striving for a better future for the island and the planet as a whole.
January 2024 • Words & Photography by The Punch
INTERVIEW
Meet Weda Sugama - General Manager at Bisma Eight
WHAT ACTIONS HAS THE COMPANY TAKEN (HISTORICALLY AND OVER THE PAST YEAR SPECIFICALLY) TO LEAD REAL CHANGE WITHIN LUXURY TRAVEL?
"We have implemented eco-friendly practices and obtained relevant certifications to appeal to environmentally-conscious travelers. Additionally, we utilize sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies in the hotel's construction and throughout our operations. Our sustainability focus extends to supporting local communities through the use of eco-friendly materials and engaging in initiatives that contribute to local cultures and communities. This includes partnering with local artisans, promoting traditional crafts, and investing in community development projects. Furthermore, we strive to create innovations in guest experiences by providing unique Balinese cultural experiences to enhance customer satisfaction. This year, we have been certified by the Gianyar Regency Environmental Service and a B3 Waste vendor to store and manage our own toxic and hazardous waste before it is collected and completely neutralized or destroyed."
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR COMPANY'S APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT, DETAILING THE ACTIONS TAKEN AND THE QUANTIFIABLE IMPACT TO DATE?
"We implement policies to minimize waste generation and promote recycling, both within the company and among suppliers. These are common sustainable procurement practices. Additionally, we work closely with local suppliers to enhance their sustainability practices, encouraging them to adopt eco-friendly methods of production and providing resources and incentives to do so. We educate and involve employees in sustainable procurement initiatives to foster a culture of sustainability within the organization. Furthermore, we have our own organic garden and farm, involving local farmers in our agricultural activities. All the produce harvested, which constitutes 100%, is used in our restaurants. If we harvest more than needed, we share the surplus with local people in nearby areas."
WHAT ARE THE COMPANY’S ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND FUTURE TARGETS?
“Bisma Eight is committed to maximizing its positive environmental impact and promoting sustainability in its operations. The company’s environmental strategy is based on three key pillars: climate action, water management, and waste reduction.”
Energy Conservation: "We minimize electricity consumption by implementing an energy-saving system, replacing incandescent bulbs with LED lights, and optimizing energy use with auto-timers."
Water Management: "We've implemented a water-saving system, resulting in a 20% reduction in water consumption across all operations. Rainwater, domestic waste, and laundry undergo processing using a Sewage Treatment Plant system employing bioactive bacteria for decomposition. Monthly laboratory tests ensure water quality compliance with government regulations, and the treated water is reused for garden irrigation and pond filling within the property."
Waste Reduction: Single-Use Plastic: "We've replaced single-use plastics with alternatives like reusable steel, glass, bamboo, wood, cotton, and biodegradable bags. In-room plastic bottles are replaced with reusable glass bottles; vanity kits use reusable glasses, bamboo, and cotton. Wooden trash containers with reusable metal bucket liners are employed for waste collection. Plastic straws have been replaced with recycled paper straws. We're diligently exploring alternative straw options that prioritize hygiene, as bamboo, glass, and metal straws have proven to be impractical for our guests' use." Non-Single-Use Plastic: "Plastic jerry cans are reused to store and produce our eco enzyme and for other operational purposes." Paper: "Most internal documents are digitized, and when paper is necessary, printed papers are reused for internal purposes, such as notebooks and other documents."
Waste Management: "We conduct Waste Management socialization throughout the company for staff, employees, vendors, and suppliers, ensuring compliance in their work and daily lives. All departments are required to turn off electrical equipment, such as copiers, computers, lights, and AC when not in use. Our garbage room is segmented for organic, non-organic, paper, and metal waste. We have a composting house for managing organic waste, implement bio-pore infiltrations on our property, conduct distillations, and produce our own eco enzymes. We are government-certified to store and manage our B3 waste."
COMMITMENT 1
Sustainable Management
By documenting and implementing a clear sustainability plan, Bisma Eight and its team are demonstrating their commitment to the environment and their communities.
COMMITMENT 2
Sustainable Building & Design
By designing clean and functional buildings & products, Bisma Eight is minimizing the use of resources, unnecessary waste, and harmful emissions.
COMMITMENT 3
Cultural Interaction & Heritage
By incorporating authentic elements of traditional culture in their operations, Bisma Eight is committed to celebrating and preserving Bali’s local cultural heritage.
COMMITMENT 4
Sustainable & Local Sourcing
By giving priority to sustainable, local, Fairtrade, organic and/ or recycled produce, Bisma Eight is emitting less carbon emissions while celebrating the local economy.
COMMITMENT 5
Equal & Local Employment
By giving equal opportunities to local residents including management positions, Bisma Eight is promoting diversity and elevating employees engagement.
COMMITMENT 6
Staff Engagement
By engaging their staff in the implementation of the company’s sustainability goals, Bisma Eight is increasing sustainability knowledge, competence and action.
COMMITMENT 7
No Single Use Plastic
By not using single use plastics, Bisma Eight minimizing by millions the amount of plastic ending up in the streets, in the rivers and in the ocean.
COMMITMENT 8
Waste Management
By having a clear waste management plan in place with actions to reduce, separate and reuse / recycle waste, Bisma Eight is not only minimizing the amount of waste in Bali; the brand is also leading the example to their employees and customers.
COMMITMENT 9
Sustainable Packaging
By using sustainable, natural, recycled and/or biodegradable packaging, Bisma Eight is significantly reducing their environmental impact.
COMMITMENT 10
Water Conservation
By using equipment and practices to conserve water, Bisma Eight is contributed to the well-being of the environment and their communities.
COMMITMENT 11
Biodiversity Conservation
By actively supporting, protecting, and promoting biodiversity, Bisma Eight is contributing to ecosystem productivity and improving the life support system for our planet.
COMMITMENT 12
Community Support
By supporting their local community through various ways, Bisma Eight is offering jobs, providing goods, services, and financial support to their community.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR COMPANY'S SOCIAL STRATEGY?
"Bisma Eight is dedicated to creating a positive and inclusive work environment for its employees. The company's approach to people management revolves around employee well-being, professional development, and diversity and inclusion."
Quantitative Evidence: “We gauge employee satisfaction through our low turnover rate, which was around 5 percent in 2022 due to the pandemic and decreased to below 1 percent by 2023 after one year of reopening. Performance appraisals consistently reflect positive comments from staff, emphasizing their happiness with how management treats employees.”
Approach to Human Rights “Bisma Eight is committed to upholding human rights standards across its supply chain, ensuring no involvement in modern slavery or forced labor in any aspect of its business operations.”
Employee Treatment and Development: Equal Treatment: Bisma Eight ensures equal treatment for all employees, fulfilling their rights and prioritizing employee welfare in a conducive working environment. Career Development: The company focuses on developing employees’ careers, prioritizing staff promotions for higher positions, and collaborating with schools and colleges to provide on-the-job training opportunities.
Training Programs: “Regular training programs ensure employees align with company standards, covering essential skills like HACCP, fire safety, first aid, and food safety.”
Local Community Support: “Bisma Eight actively supports the local community, with 98% of employees being Indonesians, and 85% are local individuals holding various positions. The company avoids excessive overtime, provides health insurance, social security, and established employee cooperatives offering low-interest rate loans.”
Corporate Social Responsibly (CSR):“CSR programs are a top priority, including support for local orphanages, monthly aid to the village, and accidental social programs. The company engages in regular blood donation drives and actively contributes to improving public facilities in the community, such as road repairs, cleanliness, and security.”
WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE TO MEET HIGHER STANDARDS BETWEEN NOW AND 2030?
"Bisma Eight is dedicated to creating a positive and inclusive work environment for its employees. The company's approach to people management revolves around employee well-being, professional development, and diversity and inclusion."
Circular Economy and Waste Minimization:
- Adopt circular economy principles to minimize waste and promote recycling.
- Redesign products for easier recycling and incorporate recycled materials into manufacturing processes.
- Implement take-back programs for products at the end of their life cycle.
- Increase the use of recycled materials in products by a specified percentage.
- Aim to achieve zero-waste-to-landfill status.
Supplier Sustainability & Ethical Practices
- Ensure that suppliers adhere to sustainability standards and ethical practices.
- Collaborate with suppliers to enhance their environmental and social practices.
- Conduct regular audits to assess and ensure compliance.
Environmentally-Friendly Product Development
- Develop products and services with a lower environmental footprint.
- Invest in research and development to create eco-friendly products.
- Consider the life cycle impact of products during the design phase.
Water Stewardship
- Implement water-saving technologies and invest in water-efficient processes.
- Support community water projects.
- Reduce water intensity (water used per unit of production) by a specified percentage.
- Contribute to water-positive initiatives in water-scarce regions.
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