Our award winning climate action project, in partnership with Ruk Rakaganno, John Keells Foundation, and the Forest Department of Sri Lanka, restored 59 acres around Sinharaja Forest Reserve, the last pristine rainforest.
In 3 years, we planted over 19,000 native saplings. We’ve now committed to another 3 years protecting this land from illegal activities, creating a sanctuary for endangered wildlife.
The plight of our oceans is urgent due to melting ice caps, greenhouse gas emissions, erratic weather, and rising sea levels.
To address the lack of ocean data, we’ve deployed data loggers around our Maldives Resorts to track temperature, conductivity, and salinity, a first in the Maldives. We started with a biodiversity assessment and GIS mapping to chart marine life and are now analysing the data to understand ocean changes.
Each year, elephant herds from Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks gather at Minneriya Reservoir from July to October for one of nature’s grand spectacles.
In 2016, the Cinnamon Nature Trails Elephant Gathering Project started with the Centre for Conservation and Research to address human elephant conflicts. We combine tourism with research on behaviour and health, fitting two elephants with satellite collars for data analysis.
Coral propagation is central to our conservation efforts, with resorts focused on preserving these vital ecosystems.
We partner with the University of Moratuwa to study coral adaptability to rising temperatures and use artificial reef cubes made from recycled glass to boost marine life. Through careful monitoring, we restore reefs, enhance biodiversity, and commit to long-term ocean sustainability.
Project Wild Blu has been a passion project of ours since its inception in 2013, dedicated to understanding the populations of whales off the coast of the Trincomalee sea in Sri Lanka.
Our team of ecologists at Cinnamon Nature Trails noticed a remarkable abundance of Sperm Whales during our sea excursions, prompting a deeper exploration into the world of cetaceans. Focusing particularly on the enchanting Blue Whales and the captivating Super Pods of Sperm Whales, this initiative has been at the forefront of our efforts, allowing us to study these magnificent creatures with awe and reverence.
Our records have revealed a remarkable surge in the numbers of Sperm whales, now recognised as the Super Pods of Sperm Whales. This data serves a dual purpose: not only does it enrich the quality of whale-watching experiences, but it also forms the foundation for impactful public awareness programmes. Since the inception of this project, the Cinnamon family has expanded to include a dedicated crew of community boat operators, trained as responsible whale watchers by leading scientists.
We've implemented biogas digesters at Habarana Village by Cinnamon, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, and Cinnamon Wild Yala.
These digesters convert food waste into biogas, used in our kitchens and for heating. Waste oil generated from our operations is collected and converted into biodiesel through approved vendors.
To maximise reuse and recycling, we segregate all non-hazardous waste on-site and collaborate with selected vendors for responsible disposal, whether recycling or repurposing. We conduct thorough assessments of waste vendors, ensuring their practices align with our ethos through on-site visits.
Innovative initiatives include converting discarded linen into handmade batik works of art by 12 empowered women from the Hikkaduwa community, supported by Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon. At Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, we create waterproof beach bags from recycled umbrella cloth, with proceeds supporting students through the provision of personalised aluminium water bottles, reducing plastic usage.
Cinnamon Grand Colombo and Cinnamon Bentota Beach, in collaboration with NORDAQ, introduced on-site filtered and bottled water - a first in Sri Lanka.
This innovative initiative marks a significant stride towards our goal of eliminating single-use guest-facing plastics by 2030, preventing over 300,000 PET bottles from entering landfills each year. Our bottles are crafted from 80% recycled glass, with 100% recycled content in the aluminium caps.
Simple yet impactful changes have paved our path towards sustainability.
Transitioning to glass water bottles, cloth wristbands, personalised reusable water canisters, ceramic ramekins and glass jars to replace condiment sachets, installing water filling stations, using wooden cutlery, cloth laundry bags, and ceramic dispensers for bathroom amenities are just a few examples of the steps we've taken. We're now scrutinising other single-use plastic items, including those used behind the scenes in our operations.
Our commitment extends beyond our hotels and resorts as we’ve partnered with Plasticycle to conduct awareness sessions. These sessions aim to cultivate advocates who champion plastic minimisation efforts, oversee proper disposal procedures, and serve as educators within their communities.
Our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint involves ramping up energy efficiency measures. We've already made significant changes such as replacing all filament bulbs with LED lighting, installing inverter air conditioners, and implementing sensor-based lighting systems.
We've already made significant changes such as replacing all filament bulbs with LED lighting, installing inverter air conditioners, and implementing sensor-based lighting systems. Many of our hotels and resorts are intelligently designed to maximise natural lighting and ventilation, minimising electricity usage. Additionally, we actively engage our guests in energy-saving practices through gentle reminders in common areas.
Our properties are all ISO 14001:2015, ISO 22000, and ISO 45001 certified. Cinnamon Bentota Beach and Cinnamon Bey Beruwala have also earned LEED certifications, with a Platinum and Gold status, respectively.
All our hotels and resorts hold the prestigious Travelife Gold Certification, which encompasses sustainability across various aspects including emissions, biodiversity, human rights, fair labour practices, child safeguarding, and animal welfare.
Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels is paramount in combating rising global temperatures.
We've initiated rooftop solar installations in three Cinnamon Maldives Resorts and five Cinnamon Sri Lanka Resorts, primarily for tasks like water heating. Our aim is to steadily increase our usage of renewable energy sources, leading to an overall reduction in emission levels.
Our commitment to water conservation extends to extensive water recycling efforts.
Across the majority of our hotels and resorts, we've implemented rainwater harvesting systems. Our garden watering policy ensures that recycled water is optimally utilised. To bolster awareness, we conduct regular sessions for our colleagues, and initiatives like water-saving tent cards and towel reuse cards encourage guests to join us in our efforts.
Furthermore, we adhere to strict standards regarding treated wastewater. All wastewater undergoes rigorous testing in our sewage treatment plants, with aerobic and anaerobic facilities ensuring its quality. During the dry season, we contribute back to the environment by releasing treated water into our man-made tank at Yala and a natural lagoon at Trincomalee. This not only replenishes groundwater but also aids wildlife, as evidenced by the numerous wildlife sightings at these watering holes, providing essential relief during the harsh dry heat. Thus, our staff maintains a vigilant watch to ensure the safety of the treated water for all.