This Earth Month, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast highlights its environmental initiatives with a focused strategy on responsible hospitality. Backed by its brand commitment to “Save the Planet,” the resort’s sustainability journey includes long-term programs in waste reduction, ethical sourcing, water and energy efficiency, biodiversity conservation, and eco-education. These commitments culminated in a recent standout Earth Hour activation that united guests, partners, and the local community through meaningful climate-conscious experiences.
The hotel continues to make measurable improvements in energy and resource efficiency. Front-of-house areas are powered by 100% LED lighting, while solar-powered lights illuminate the Tropical Garden. Over 458,000 liters of rainwater were harvested in 2024 for irrigation, and guests are encouraged to stay hydrated sustainably through refillable water bottles, refill stations, and ready-to-drink water faucets throughout the property.
Its approach to waste minimisation includes composting over 13,000 kilogrammes of food waste into 4,500 kilogrammes of nutrient-rich compost, and a “Trash to Cash” programme that diverted 37,000 kilogrammes of recyclables in 2023. Used coffee grounds are transformed into DIY body scrubs and even natural watercolours for children’s eco-art activities. Discarded staff uniforms are sewn into functional, stylish backpacks by the in-house housekeeping team, with proceeds supporting local environmental causes.
This year’s Earth Hour event, themed “Switch Off, Step Up,” took place on 22nd March and reflected a deepened integration of environmental storytelling, guest participation, and community engagement. Following the symbolic lights-off moment at 8:30 pm, the hotel hosted a full evening of rainforest-themed experiences and installations.
Guests enjoyed a thoughtfully curated plant-based menu featuring Southeast Asian flavours such as Miniature Gado-Gado, Getok Ubi with Honey, and Asam Jawa Gula Melaka Sorbet. Mocktails like The Hutan Hugger (Pandan Colada) and The Buah Rescuer (Salak) showcased locally sourced ingredients and creativity in low-impact dining.
An Interactive Photo Wall, built in partnership with JungleWalla Desaru, featured photographs and audio recordings of ten native animal species. By pressing a button under each image, guests could hear the natural call of the species—an extension of the hotel’s bioacoustics initiative to raise biodiversity awareness through sound.
Guests also explored a Wire Art Sculpture Display created by the hotel’s team members using upcycled materials, and listened to naturalist Irshad Mobarak share the “Love Story of the Great Hornbill,” spotlighting the importance of preserving Malaysia’s unique ecosystems. Children participated in eco-themed crafts at the Roxity Kids Club, while adults tried their hand at DIY coffee scrubs at the Rock Spa booth.
As part of its Earth Month lineup, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast also collaborated with local art studio, Sands Art Gallere and Johorean artist Stelly Koh to host an outdoor painting and live art showcase. Guests observed Stelly bring a coastal-themed piece to life before participating in a hands-on workshop, where they created their own mini masterpieces using repurposed coffee grounds from the hotel as a natural art medium.
The success of Earth Hour and the hotel’s broader green strategy was made possible through active partnerships with regional eco-leaders and NGOs. These included:
- JungleWalla Tours Desaru – Conservation-focused naturalist experiences and biodiversity initiatives
- Precious Plastic Malaysia – Upcycling plastic waste into reusable products
- Ada Biotech – Supplier of biodegradable Ada Straws used in all dining venues
- Ladang Kelulut Tg. Belungkur – Local stingless bee farm supporting environmental education
- Breast Cancer Support Group Johor – Makers of handcrafted bags using recycled materials to support cancer awareness
“Our team believes sustainability is not a campaign—it’s a commitment. Every initiative we introduce is rooted in long-term impact and community value,” said Murray Aitken, Hotel General Manager and Area Vice President, Hotel Operations – Asia, Hard Rock International. “Our team is deeply proud of how we are embedding environmental responsibility into our day-to-day operations while inspiring our guests to participate in the journey.”
“Sustainability is about action that creates ripple effects beyond the hotel. By working closely with local changemakers and weaving environmental responsibility into our guest journey, we are making this cause accessible and real for everyone who walks through our doors,” said Yana Ali, Sustainability & ESG Manager at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast.
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast’s long-term strategy combines internal initiatives with guest-focused programs to build an environmentally aware, community-engaged resort culture. From energy-efficient design to immersive educational experiences, the hotel continues to translate sustainability into action—creating space for guests and partners alike to be part of a collective movement for positive change.
