Case Study: The Procurement Strategy Powering OUTRIGGER’s Environmental Leadership
Key Takeaways for Hotel Operators:
Procurement as a Driver of Environmental Leadership OUTRIGGER uses procurement as a strategic lever to align sustainability goals with operational and financial performance, leveraging data, supplier standards, and ESG insights to guide decision-making.
Operational Sustainability Embedded Across the Portfolio Initiatives such as eliminating single-use plastics, adopting renewable energy tracking, and implementing resource-efficient systems demonstrate how sustainability can be integrated into daily hotel operations while improving guest experience and reducing costs.
Avendra Enables Scalable, Data-Backed Sustainability Avendra International supports OUTRIGGER with supplier transparency, sustainability analytics, and on-island expertise, enabling resilient sourcing, regulatory compliance, and measurable ESG progress across complex resort environments.
For nearly 80 years, Hawai’i’s hospitality landscape has been shaped by OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group. Across its Hawai’i portfolio on O’ahu, Maui, Hawai’i Island, and Kaua’i, one core value powers the organization’s ethos—care; Care for its people, its guests, and the natural environment that defines every OUTRIGGER destination.
As a premier beach resort brand, OUTRIGGER’s connection to the environment is unbreakable. While tourism fuels Hawai’i’s economy, it also places pressure on water resources, waste systems, energy use, and fragile local ecosystems. Striking the balance between environmental responsibility and world‑class guest experiences has become essential.
“The health of our coastlines directly shapes the vitality of the destinations our guests travel to experience,” says Karen Kurosawa, Director of Sustainability, OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group.
In 2014, OUTRIGGER launched the OUTRIGGER Zone, a global conservation initiative supporting coral reef health and ocean resiliency. Through scientific partnerships, preservation projects, and immersive guest programs, OUTRIGGER continues to demonstrate how destination stewardship can strengthen business performance.
Since 2018, OUTRIGGER has collaborated with Avendra International to enhance procurement efficiency and operational performance. With on‑island support teams, a vetted supplier network experienced in island logistics, and competitive contract terms, Avendra helps OUTRIGGER scale its sustainability vision with confidence.
Through ESG supplier tagging, consultative guidance, and actionable data insights, Avendra complements OUTRIGGER’s bold sustainability agenda—enabling measurable impact across the portfolio.
Embedding Sustainability into Daily Operations
To reduce natural resource consumption across its portfolio, OUTRIGGER has implemented:
Energy-efficient lighting
Low-flow fixtures
Renewable energy initiatives, tracked via Schneider Electric’s Resources Advisor
To reduce waste and eliminate unnecessary plastics, OUTRIGGER has:
Removed in-room plastic water bottles, replacing them with metal refillable bottles and hydration stations
Transitioned from conventional plastics in dry amenities to alternative materials
Limited single-use plastics and packaging by expanding bulk amenity programs
“A lot of the products we moved to actually came with cost savings versus the plastic alternatives,” says Mark Wornson, Corporate Director of Procurement & Vendor Management, OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group. “It became a win‑win.”
OUTRIGGER tracks KPIs such as energy and water use per occupied room, waste diversion, renewable energy adoption, and supplier sustainability performance. All eight Hawai‘i properties have earned high‑level Green Key Global certifications, and internationally, OUTRIGGER is the first brand to achieve Green Key certifications in Fiji. These milestones highlight the brand’s commitment to rigorous third‑party verification and ongoing environmental improvement.
“Procurement is one of the most powerful operational levers we have,” Kurosawa says. “With strong data visibility, we align environmental stewardship with financial performance.”
Procurement as a Strategic Sustainability Lever
Avendra enhances OUTRIGGER’s responsible sourcing strategy through the Avendra for Good program—a comprehensive framework that embeds sustainability and inclusive sourcing across multiple layers of the supply chain. Through supplier sustainability evaluations, OUTRIGGER can more easily identify partners whose practices align with its environmental goals and long‑term strategy.
Powered by Avendra’s Mosaic AI Supply Chain and its MaetaData integration, the program also delivers item‑level transparency into key sustainability attributes—such as higher‑welfare certifications, no‑deforestation commitments, and improved packaging profiles. These insights help OUTRIGGER advance its category‑level sourcing targets with confidence.
By combining supplier‑level and product‑level visibility, Avendra empowers OUTRIGGER to make informed, values‑aligned purchasing decisions—strengthening sustainability performance while maintaining a resilient, reliable supply chain.
Long‑Term Thinking in a Cost‑Constrained Environment
Like hotel operators globally, OUTRIGGER faces the challenge of balancing capital priorities with sustainability goals.
“There are many impactful initiatives available; the discipline lies in selecting those that deliver the strongest environmental and financial return,” explains Wornson.
Projects are evaluated with a two‑ to three‑year ROI lens, supported by aggressive pursuit of rebates and incentives to reduce upfront costs. This approach is especially critical for island‑based resorts navigating logistical complexity, longer lead times, and fluctuating supply‑chain conditions. It also positions OUTRIGGER ahead of regulatory shifts such as single‑use plastic restrictions and bulk amenity requirements.
Looking Ahead
With care at the heart of OUTRIGGER’s mission, thoughtful procurement strategies and sustainability initiatives strengthen guest satisfaction while protecting the environment.
“Guests increasingly want to contribute positively to the destinations they visit. Stewardship and accountability will stand alongside service excellence as defining markers of leadership,” says Kurosawa.
Explore more client success stories in the Spring/Summer 2026 edition of Edge Magazine – North America. Download your copy here.
CASE STUDY: THE PROCUREMENT STRATEGY POWERING OUTRIGGER’S ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
FAQs
How does OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group integrate sustainability into its operations?
OUTRIGGER embeds sustainability through energy-efficient systems, reduced plastic usage, renewable energy tracking, and KPIs such as energy, water, and waste metrics, supported by third-party certifications like Green Key Global.
Why is procurement critical to OUTRIGGER’s sustainability strategy?
Procurement provides visibility into supplier practices and product attributes, enabling OUTRIGGER to select environmentally responsible options that align with both sustainability goals and financial performance.
How does Avendra International support OUTRIGGER’s sustainability efforts?
Avendra delivers data-driven insights, ESG supplier evaluations, and local logistics expertise, helping OUTRIGGER navigate island-specific challenges while maintaining a reliable, sustainable supply chain.
