From eco-conscious décor and energy-efficient operations to promoting local sourcing, this private members club in Singapore is stepping up its sustainability initiatives to deliver green targets and reduce its environmental footprint. Mandala Club on Bukit Pasoh Road says that it’s also the first hospitality outfit in Singapore to join the United Nation’s Race to Zero campaign, which seeks to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions and investors for a zero carbon recovery.
“We’ve always believed that ‘doing the right thing’ was not just the right thing to do, but also the only way to go,” says Ben Jones, founder and CEO of Mandala Group, of their involvement with Race to Zero. “Our commitment to sustainability in Singapore aligns with the values of many of our members, creating a community that’s passionate about making a positive impact on the world.”
As of 2023, the green makeover has seen the club achieve carbon neutrality for emissions it directly controls. According to chief sustainability officer Lilly Milligan Gilbert, it’s done this by taking the following steps towards a greener, more responsible future.
How this private members club in Singapore has stepped up its sustainability credentials
#1 Spotlight on food wastage
From citrus peels in cocktails to fruit in salads, the Mandala team consciously uses the whole ingredient, from bar to kitchen. They also track, analyse and report daily waste, and redesign and rethink every resource to better understand areas and opportunities for improvement and sustainability in Singapore.
#2 Planting thousands of trees
Through key partnerships, this private members club in Singapore has planted over 2,600 trees in Sumatra’s Mandala Forest, and collected more than 7,400 kilograms of plastic from the ocean.
#3 Using 80 percent recycled décor for events
Partying consciously is at the forefront of Mandala’s commitment to sustainability in Singapore. It’s moving away from single-use décor towards creative alternatives such as rented LED neon lights and solar-powered DJ sound systems.
#4 Sustainably sourced food
The culinary team at Mandala Club uses premium and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, including “Anxin” chicken, a breed of French chicken free of growth hormones and organically raised by Toh Thye San Farm in Singapore.
#5 Local beverage suppliers and partners
Mandala Club stocks locally-produced favourite Lion Brewery’s Sea Straight beer line, which commits to plastic collection for every can sold. The Club’s straws are compostable too, made from the agave plant (which, coincidentally, is also used for making tequila!).
#6 A green team
The Mandala team is encouraged to step up their eco-conscious behaviour in their broader lives, with 40 green training sessions to date promoting a more conscious way of living. These sustainability challenges in Singapore have included an inaugural beach clean-up, “greener commute to work” and “saying NO to disposable plastics”.
#7 Rallying the community
Regular green events and educational workshops are aimed at raising awareness and inspiring individuals to be even more conscious of their actions. Recent events have included “Fashion Revolution”, encouraging more responsibility in everyday clothing choices and a panel for Earth Day on “Breaking up with Plastics”. There was also a fireside chat about conserving oceans as part of World Ocean Day.
#8 Testing pilot sustainability projects in Singapore
From the kitchen and bar to the gym and office, every month new green initiatives are trialled at this private members club in Singapore. Successful initiatives include efficient room temperature control and sourcing FSC-certified paper products. It’s also working closely with suppliers to remove excessive packaging.
#9 “One Percent For The Planet”
The Club is committing at least one percent of its annual revenue to environmental causes. Learn more about Mandala’s commitment to Race to Zero and the sustainability and green initiatives it employs in Singapore, along with monthly targets and achievements at mandala.club/themandalacommitment.
Want to become a member of this private members club in Singapore?
Email membership@mandala.club to arrange a tour of the stylish premises.
31 Bukit Pasoh Road
8504 2431 | membership@mandala.club
mandala.club
This article first appeared in the November 2023 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
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