We are living in abundance

The food we throw away in Europe would be enough to feed all the hungry people in the world twice over

During Advent and especially at Christmas, there are virtually no limits to our consumption. Offers beckon, Black Friday deals are waiting on every corner, Christmas markets enchant us. We stock up ourselves and our loved ones with all kinds of beautiful but often pointless bits and bobs.

The European Week for Waste Prevention in mid-November was held under the motto: ‘Down to the last crumb: use food carefully’.

The original task of catering is to satisfy hunger and thirst. Food as the basis. For us at Hotel BT, how we treat food is a question of attitude. In order to better communicate this understanding to all employees, we have sought support from United Against Waste. They have launched the Food Save Central Switzerland project. Over the course of a year, measurements, workshops and measures are carried out with the support of experts.

Measuring the actual state is the basis for reducing food waste and at the same time an awareness-raising measure. The measurements differentiate between avoidable and unavoidable waste. Production waste and plate returns are measured. Returns from buffets and à la carte service are differentiated... everything that goes into the former ‘pig bucket’ is meticulously measured and documented. This special attention alone changes our view of this topic.

In Switzerland, 2.8 million tonnes of food waste are produced every year. That's around a third of all food produced! This problem is roughly the same worldwide. In richer countries, a large proportion is thrown away by the end consumer, while in poorer countries very little is wasted in households, where the losses occur during harvesting, storage and processing.

Food waste has far-reaching effects on our environment and climate. Food waste causes as much environmental pollution as half of all car journeys in Switzerland. Basically, it can be said that food that has travelled a longer distance has a greater impact on the environment. So the further back in the food supply chain food is disposed of, the worse. In other words, it makes a difference whether a farmer composts a carrot or whether a consumer wastes an avocado.

At the BT Hotel, these findings have led to a reorganisation of our menu. We no longer serve guacamole. Dishes whose plate returns were predominantly large have been redimensioned. We now serve our breakfast buffet in smaller units. We try to buy as regionally as possible. We pack leftovers in the restaurant free of charge and guests take them home with them.

Waste avoidance is resource and climate protection. This is what the three Rs stand for: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Together with United Against Waste, we are tackling this challenge and have set ourselves the goal of halving food waste in the industry. It is clear that 8 million people in Switzerland can make a difference - let's do it together!

At the Hotel Bellevue-Terminus, it's already Christmas in summer!

This summer we gave away holidays at the Hotel Bellevue-Terminus to employees of IG Arbeit in Lucerne. The idea came about when we were sending out Christmas presents to our regular guests and seminar customers. In recent years, we have sent our visitors various gifts for Christmas. A token of appreciation, a thank you that hopefully brings joy.

This year, our guests and customers will ‘only’ receive a card, which will be produced in the IG Arbeit card studio. Because this year we are not buying gifts, but investing in holidays at Hotel BT. That's why we are turning our customer gifts into holidays for people who probably wouldn't or couldn't treat themselves to a week at the Hotel BT with their family. You could also call it holidays instead of gifts. And giving gifts is always a pleasure. Certainly also for our regular guests. The feedback from the winners of the holiday prize draw is heart-warming. Thank you very much!

Unfortunately, IG Arbeit Luzern and its various services and operations are not yet widely known. An open day will be held on 29 August 2024 to provide an insight into the many different departments and services. The association has set itself the task of getting people back to work and thus integrating them into society. IG Arbeit has been supporting people with mental health problems for 40 years. Also job seekers and recipients of social welfare. They offer work, training and counselling. In their diverse organisations or in the private sector.

The following is anchored in IG Arbeit's mission statement:

• With work to the goal. Competently. For every case.
• With us, people find independence, satisfaction and joie de vivre through work. We move forward together. With thought. With new ideas and convincing products.
• Trust guides us in everything we do. Clarity and mindfulness sharpen our focus. Holistically. That's how we see life. And develop IG Arbeit together.
• A working world for everyone. That's what we're working on. For every case.

Where is our society currently heading? What are individualists doing without society? Are we allowed to marginalise people? Who takes responsibility? These are fundamental questions that need to be answered clearly. That is why we are happy to be able to support organisations and institutions such as IG Arbeit. We want to work with people and for people. A wise woman once said: If you do everything just for money, you'll end up doing everything for money!

If you can't make it to the open day, why not pop into the recently renovated Brocki in Bruchquartier, Nylon 7 in Viscosistadt for a coffee or find a great gift for yourself and your loved ones in the webshop! Christmas always comes sooner than you think...