Sustainable Procurement Policy at Thavorn Palm Beach Resort

This policy describes our rules and expectations in relation to sustainable procurement.

Showing preference to sustainable products and services

Whilst ensuring they comply with any other relevant policies regarding purchasing, all staff that are responsible for making procurement decisions are expected to show preference to products and services that meet as many of the following conditions as possible and/or are relevant:

• It is made from recycled materials.
• It can be recycled locally.
• It can be easily reused or repurposed.
• We can verify it has been sustainably produced/sourced.
• It is produced locally.
• It is from a locally owned business.
• It is from a small business.
• It has a reputable sustainability certification label such as Rainforest Alliance, MSC or FSC.
• It is delivered in minimal packaging and/or more sustainable packaging.
• It is energy and/or water efficient.
• It does not produce any pollution or minimises pollution.
• It reduces the need for printing.
• It requires minimal shipping/transport.
• It uses cleaner, more resource efficient or low-emission transport options.
• It reflects the nature, history and culture of the local area.
• It is from a fair-trade supplier.
• It minimises food waste.
• It minimises the use of single-use or disposable items, e.g. single-use plastics.   

Human rights and safeguarding children

We will not tolerate any instances of human exploitation or abuse that we find in our supply chain and will immediately report any suspicions we have to the appropriate authorities.

We will not offer, promote or otherwise commercially benefit from any activities, attractions or events involving people under the age of 18 when the operator cannot verify to us that they comply with all relevant laws including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ILO Conventions 138/182.

If we procure items that include a unique cultural aspect of any indigenous group, we will ensure that we have respected their cultural intellectual property rights.

Recruitment

We are committed to equal opportunities and will not exclude or show favour to specific groups of people during our recruitment processes. This includes, but is not limited to, excluding or showing favour to people based on their race, nationality, religion, gender, sexuality or disabilities.

When we recruit people, including when we use recruitment agencies, we will ensure that we cover the full cost of this recruitment and will not require anybody to submit any type of bond, fee or identity document in order to be considered for employment with us. We will never offer any kind of incentive or loan that could bond a person to employment with us.

Renovations and building work

When we carry out any renovations, extensions or other types of building work, we will make every effort to ensure that this is done in a sustainable manner. This includes the following whenever it is possible, practical and relevant:

• Incorporating local traditions regarding design, construction and materials.
• Harmonising design with local landscape, cultural heritage and architecture.
• Giving preference to materials, installations, fixtures and fittings that are sustainably sourced and minimise environmental impacts, e.g. energy-efficient insulation, showers that minimise water use, renewable energy fixtures, water recycling.
• Ensuring areas are accessible to people with disabilities and other special needs.

Landscaping and planting

When we carry out any new planting or landscaping work, we will make every effort to ensure that this is done in a sustainable manner.  

We will never knowingly procure or plant an invasive species and will always opt for native or endemic plants when it is possible and practical to do so.

Whenever it is possible and practical, we will show preference to plants that offer natural draught and/or pest resistance so that we can minimise the use of water and pesticides.

Endangered species

We will not purchase or otherwise acquire any species that are currently on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This includes any items made from these species.

When we procure species that have come from the wild, we will make every effort to ensure that sustainable harvesting, hunting and/or fishing practices have been used.

Harmful chemicals

We will only purchase harmful chemicals and other types of hazardous substances when it is absolutely necessary for the safe operation of our business.

We will not purchase pesticides, insecticides, fungicides or herbicides containing any of the following POPs (persistent organic pollutants) listed in Appendix A or B of the Stockholm Convention:

• Aldrin
• Alpha hexachlorocyclohexane
• Beta hexachlorocyclohexane
• Chlordane
• Chlordecone 
• DDT
• Dicofol
• Dieldrin
• Endrin
• Heptachlor
• Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)
• Lindane 
• Mirex
• Pentachlorobenzene
• Pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters (PCP)
• Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its salts
• Perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride
• Technical endosulfan and its related isomers
• Toxaphene

Refrigerant gases

We will not purchase any products or equipment containing the gases listed below unless there is no other suitable alternative available and we are allowed to do so by law.

• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
• The following Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): R134a, R404A, R407A, R410A

Sunscreen that is harmful to marine life

We will reduce the  purchase of any sun protection products that contain the following ingredients:

• Benzophenone-1 (BP-1)
• Benzophenone-2 (BP-2)
• Dioxybenzone (benzophenone-8)
• Octyl-dimethyl-para-aminobenzoic (OD-PABA)
• Enzacamene (4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, 4-MBC)
• 3-Benzylidene camphor (3-Benzylidenebornan-2-one)
• nano-Titanium dioxide (TiO2)
• nano-Zinc oxide (ZnO)
• Octinoxate (Octyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Eusolex 2292, Uvinul MC80)
• Octocrylene
• Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3, BP-3)

Products containing microplastics

We will reduce the purchase of any products containing the following ingredients that are sometimes found in personal care items such as soaps, shampoos, conditioners and lotions:

• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
• Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
• Nylon (PA)

Single-use plastics

We will reduce purchase of any of the following types of single-use plastics unless it is absolutely necessary to do so for the safe operation of our business.

• Balloons and balloon sticks
• Beverage stirrers
• Bin liners/rubbish bags
• Bottled water
• Cold beverage cups/glasses
• Condiment minis (e.g. ketchup, jam, sugar)
• Cotton buds/sticks
• Cutlery incl. chopsticks
• Food containers
• Hot beverage cups
• Hygiene covers for glasses and toilets
• Identification wristbands
• Individual coffee or tea capsules
• Laundry bags
• Mini bottles of bathroom amenities (e.g. shampoo)
• Plates and bowls
• Single-serve bottled beverages
• Shopping bags
• Straws
• Individually wrapped: Bathrobes, confectionery, cotton wool/pads/wipes, razors, slippers, soap, toothbrushes/toothbrush sets

Animal welfare

When we procure animal products that have been harvested or hunted from the wild, we will make every effort to ensure that sustainable and humane practices are used.

We will not offer, promote, sell or otherwise commercially benefit from any animal activities that involve the following practices:

• Animal breeding or commercial trade in sanctuaries and orphanages.
• Any tourist holding of, or photo opportunity with, wild animals where the animal does not have the choice of terminating the interaction or moving away.
• Performances or tourist interactions involving animals where training involves punishment or food deprivation, causes the animal fear, injury or distress, or the tasks are not based on normal behaviour.
• Tourist contact or feeding elephants without a barrier.
• Elephant shows or performances for tourists.
• Tourist contact, feeding of and ‘walking with’ wild cats.
• Tourist contact or feeding of crocodiles, alligators, great apes (chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas, bonobos), bears or sloths.
• Tourist contact or feeding of orca and unsupervised tourist feeding of cetaceans.
• Feeding any animals with live vertebrate prey.
• Canned hunting.
• Ostrich riding (observing or participating).
• Unlicensed zoos.
• Euthanasia, unless carried out by a trained professional because welfare needs cannot be met, or because the animal cannot be released into the wild.
• Acquisition of any CITES Appendix I, II or III listed species except for demonstrable conservation or rescue/rehabilitation purposes.
• Bear pits.
• Bear-bile farms. 
• Tiger farms.
• Any animal fighting, whether against humans or other animals.
• Bull running.
• Rodeo events that include calf-roping, team-roping, steer wrestling, bareback horse/bull riding using flank straps, wild-cow milking, wild horse racing or horse/steer-tripping. 
• Ritual animal slaughter as part of the tourism experience.
• Unregulated animal and plant collection from the wild.
• Human-initiated contact with or feeding of animals in the wild.
• Trade and sale of endangered wildlife products.
• Trophy hunting.

Please click here for more details on our policies.