Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como, Italy Joins Clean the World

Lago di Como, Italy Joins Clean the World

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Clean the World Welcomes Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como to its European Programme

Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como is the latest high-profile hotel to join Clean the World’s hospitality recycling programme in Italy. The partnership demonstrates how a luxury resort can integrate operational sustainability without compromising the guest experience.

Hotels are estimated to collectively produce almost 290,000 tonnes of waste every year, and the sector is responsible for around 1% of global carbon emissions. At the same time, only 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, with the remainder incinerated or discarded in landfill and natural environments. For a hotel on the shores of Lake Como, acting responsibly is fundamental.

In Italy, sustainability is no longer viewed as a compromise.

For 69.6% of consumers, it is directly associated with higher quality, signalling a clear shift in expectations across premium hospitality [16].

Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como

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Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como: A Lakeside Sanctuary with Timeless Charm

Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como is a sanctuary of calm, nestled on the sunlit forest shores of Lake Como. The resort comprises 24 rooms, 49 suites and two standalone private villas, all skilfully renovated to reflect modern Italian elegance with a subtle oriental charm.

The resort is ideal for both relaxing getaways and active escapes. Featuring an iconic floating infinity pool and surrounded by lush botanical gardens, guests can unwind in expansive natural surroundings or explore panoramic hiking trails, picturesque lakeside towns and a range of water sports.

The spa is a destination in itself. Inspired by the pristine waters of the lake, it offers a unique selection of heat and water experiences alongside a holistic approach to wellbeing.

The resort’s fine dining restaurant, L’ARIA, presents Italian cuisine with a refined Japanese influence, while CO.MO Bar & Bistrot serves regional dishes from across Italy, using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. With uninterrupted lake views throughout, the resort provides an exceptional setting for both leisure and special occasions.

Why Mandarin Oriental Joined Clean the World

The decision to join Clean the World reflects the resort’s long-standing sustainability philosophy. As shared by Alice Peverelli, Executive Office and Sustainability Manager:

“At Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como, we are committed to creating a better future for the next generation by protecting the environment, supporting our people, and enriching the communities we serve. Sustainability is at the core of our philosophy, ‘Acting with Responsibility,’ which is deeply embedded in our heritage. Among our key objectives is to reduce our environmental impact as much as possible. We believe that collaborating with Clean the World, an organization that shares our same vision, allows us to further contribute in a meaningful and tangible way.”

The programme is already in place across four Mandarin Oriental hotels in Europe, reflecting strong internal adoption.

“We became aware of Clean the World through other hotels within our Group that are already participating in the programme, and their very positive feedback encouraged us to join as well.”

Building on Existing Sustainability Foundations

Sustainability has long been embedded within the resort’s operations. Prior to joining the programme:

“Sustainability has long been a priority for our Resort, and over the years we have implemented a variety of initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint. These include our Green Linen Program, which allows Guests to opt for reduced linen changes to save water, as well as energy-efficiency projects such as the transition to LED lighting throughout the property. All electricity used at the Resort comes from certified renewable sources. We also use lake water as a heat exchange fluid, to air condition rooms and produce domestic hot water, reducing energy consumption. In addition, we actively work to minimise food waste and promote sustainable mobility for our Guests through electric vehicles. Responsible procurement practices are also integral to our sustainability strategy, covering seafood, agricultural commodities, and certified paper products.
Alongside environmental efforts, we are equally committed to social initiatives and the well-being of our colleagues, fostering a supportive, inclusive, and responsible workplace.”

These initiatives highlight a comprehensive sustainability approach, with Clean the World now addressing amenity waste as a key next step.

Aligning with ESG Goals

The partnership directly supports the resort’s environmental objectives:

“One of our main sustainability goals is to continuously reduce our environmental impact by minimising waste, reducing unsorted waste collection, and increasing recycling efforts, giving materials a second life whenever possible. Partnering with Clean the World supports this objective by helping us protect the environment and support communities in need, reinforcing our commitment to responsible and sustainable hospitality.”

The Clean the World Programme at Lake Como

Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como has enrolled in Clean the World’s full bulk programme in Europe, covering 75 rooms and suites.

Guestroom amenities, including soap bars, plastic bulk bottles and aluminium tubes, are collected by housekeeping teams, separated into dedicated containers, and scheduled for collection via Clean the World’s portal. Materials are then transported to the organisation’s processing facility in the Netherlands.

The programme is designed to be simple to implement, integrating seamlessly into existing operations while delivering measurable environmental impact.

The Wider Context: Why Recycling Programmes Matter

The environmental impact of hotels remains significant. An average 200-room property can use around 300,000 single-use plastic items each month.

Much of this waste is not effectively recycled due to contamination and infrastructure limitations, meaning it is often incinerated or sent to landfill.

Clean the World addresses this challenge at scale, partnering with 8,600 hotels around the world, processing 1.4 million hotel rooms daily, and diverting more than 14 million kg of waste from landfill since 2009.

A Call to Action for European Hospitality

With global waste projected to reach nearly 4 billion tonnes annually by 2050, and rising expectations from travellers around sustainabilitywaste management is no longer optional.

The partnership between Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como and Clean the World demonstrates how sustainability can be embedded into luxury hotel operations while enhancing guest experience — as we’ve also seen with our partnership with iQ Hotel Milano.

Clean the World are delighted to welcome Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como to the programme, and we look forward to returning to see the impact the property have made in the months to come.

See how other leading hotels are making a measurable impact, or if your property is ready to take the next step:

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