InterContinental Hotels Group now uses AI to track, measure and reduce food waste. The result is more sustainable and efficient restaurant and bar operations. IHG is the first global hotel company to use such technology, produced by Winnow Vision AI and expects it to help reduce food waste by 30 percent.

How does it work? Winnow Vision analyzes ingredients during food prep, as well as plates returned to the kitchen, to see which food items are most wasted and in what quantities. The data informs future buying decisions, menus and food prep.

So far, the AI technology is installed in seven IHG hotels in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, with further installation planned for another 30 properties. At InterContinental Fujairah Resort, over the past six months, the property reduced its food waste by more than 50 percent using the AI.

“With more than 5,600 hotels right across the world, a commitment to operating responsibly is at the heart of all we do. We know there’s always more that can be done to make a greater difference — whether that’s minimising waste through the removal of plastic straws or introducing innovative technology to reduce our environmental impact. Our partnership with Winnow will help our hotels be smarter and savvier in their approach to creating compelling menus that result in less waste whether it’s a grab-and-go breakfast, a family restaurant or a Michelin dining experience. I’m delighted that this is being led by some of our hotels in the Middle East, who are already seeing significant food waste reductions, and I’m looking forward to seeing this technology take off in more and more of our hotels around the world,” said Kenneth Macpherson, CEO, EMEAA, IHG.