PURE FOR THE FUTURE
Pure For The Future underpins The Datai Langkawi’s commitment to be a sustainable business. It is based on the tenets of a circular economy, which is a move away from the current linear model of take-make-waste through the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. Our sustainability initiatives were the result of a rigorous assessment of the impact of our operations on the environment and are focused on reducing waste that would either end up in a landfill or the sea (thus ending up as pollution) by making it recyclable, upcyclable or returning it back into nature in an organic form.
In Partnership With Kansha Life
The Kansha Life Project aims to be a sustainable hotspot combining entrepreneurship, spirituality, sustainability, art and play in every state of beingness.
Their mission lies in being the vectors of change, learning holistically and growing together as an island community in developing new skill sets and gaining knowledge towards a purpose driven, sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle. The Kansha Life Project also studies waste material, as they strive to embody the vision of becoming changemakers for a better world.
OBJECTIVES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Community-Based Farming Initiative
The Community-Based Farming Initiative delivers tangible outcomes for nature and humanity. It strengthens local livelihoods through stable income, fair pricing, and reliable market access while reducing environmental impact by slashing food miles and ensuring access to high-quality, sustainably cultivated produce. The initiative deepens connection between guests and their dining experience through traceability and storytelling, celebrating the people and places behind each ingredient, while also complementing the resort’s own zero-waste permaculture garden showcasing locally sourced ingredients. It builds community resilience by fostering agricultural networks, knowledge sharing, and shared prosperity through sustainable local production.
ZERO WASTE TO THE LANDFILL
We aim to achieve Zero Waste to the Landfill through increasing our recycling and upcycling initiatives at The Datai Langkawi, a sustainable hotel in Malaysia. These include wastewater management, in-house water bottling, banning the use of single-use plastics, transforming food waste into soil for cultivating plants and herbs, and upcycling materials like wax, plastic and glass. In 2024, we achieved an overall 96% of zero-waste to landfill efficiency, which equates to 549,164 kg of waste diverted from going to the landfill. 98% of food waste was transformed into soil for cultivating plants and herbs or donated to the community for animal feed, while 96% of dry waste was processed through the banning of single-use plastics; and recycling and upcycling materials. A total of 223,309 glass bottles, 115kg of Styrofoam, and 1,867 kg of ceramic were crushed for recycling, and 9,588kg of used oil was sold for recycling.
Carbon Management Programme
With the target to implement an industry leading robust carbon management programme within Datai Bay, carbon emissions have been calculated yearly by leading scientific benchmarking certification for travel and tourism, EarthCheck, since 2018. We have also monitored our carbon emissions; measured our carbon sequestration (with the Wildlife For The Future pillar) based on the Carbon Stock Assessment with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; and teamed up with Pantas Climate Solutions to optimise our Carbon Footprint Management (CFM) and enhance decarbonisation efforts. In 2024, 187 tons CO2-e was avoided from the landfill through regenerative practices. We are supported in our effort to create a solid carbon management plan by the Department of Forestry Peninsular Malaysia and the Department of Fisheries Malaysia.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
New sustainability initiatives have been introduced within the community as well as support of local culture and heritage through the offering of traditional craft-making activities. Additionally, natural well-being practices have been introduced. In partnership with local social enterprises, local artisans and beneficiaries under The Kansha Life Project in Langkawi, Geng Bersih Kampung and schools sponsored through the Eco-Schools Programme, we nurture micro-businesses and local entrepreneurship, especially with children, disadvantaged and marginalised members of our extended community.
GUEST AND STAFF EDUCATION PROGRAMMES
In partnership with the community, we have developed a range of recycling and upcycling activities and workshops for guests to promote ‘green living’. These include recycling candles and natural soap-making, as well as staff programmes to stimulate continuous innovation on our sustainability and conservation initiatives. In the year 2024: 62 workshops and talks with local artisans on craft and sustainable practices were conducted, with 1,803 guests in total participating; 10,862 candles were produced from used candles by The KanshaLife Project; and more.
"Engaging closely with the community opens our eyes to diverse perspectives, especially on sustainability, which inherently involves society. Imagining a community centered life inspires us to protect the environment and create economic opportunities for the whole society. As a TDP member, I’m proud that we address this comprehensively, placing community at the heart of our social, economic, and environmental efforts.”
- Farzana Rosaidi, Pillar Leader, Pure For The Future, The Datai Pledge | Senior Sustainability Executive, TDR Villas Sdn Bhd