Jardine Restaurant Group announces that Pizza Hut Signature Lieu Giai in Hanoi, has been recognized as a LEED Gold-certified green building. It is the first restaurant in the Group to receive a LEED rating, and marks one of the first two restaurants in Vietnam to achieve this distinction. The LEED Gold certification demonstrates its commitment to sustainability.
Pizza Hut Signature Lieu Giai received the “LEED Gold” (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification, an internationally recognized green building certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
“Pizza Hut Vietnam has been proactively embedding sustainability practices into its business strategy and operations, with an unwavering commitment to promoting a green dining experience,” said Michael Lin, General Manager of Pizza Hut Vietnam. “Helmed by Jardine Restaurant Group, Pizza Hut Signature Lieu Giai in Hanoi, Vietnam was developed with the belief that all parts of the restaurant’s operations should be holistically considered, from where the restaurant situated. The restaurant was designed to minimize site impact and incorporate recycled materials as well as ample natural daylight use for energy efficiency.”
Evaluated based on a multitude of rigorous criteria related to the environment and human health, including spatial design, water and energy resource usage, material selection, waste and packaging handling processes, and other amenities, LEED encompasses four levels of certification based on a scoring system:
- 40-49 points: Earns LEED certification (Certified)
- 50-59 points: Achieves Silver certification
- 60-79 points: Earns Gold certification
- 80 points or above: Achieves Platinum certification
Receiving LEED Gold certification signifies Pizza Hut Signature Lieu Giai’s compliance with the required sustainable development standards since its inception in mid-January 2024. Notably,
- Water conservation: achieve a 49% water use reduction through the use of high-pressure equipment.
- Energy efficiency: optimizes energy savings by 13% through a combination of focused lighting systems and an open space design that maximizes natural light.
- Recycled construction materials: 90% of the five main construction material groups used to build the restaurant have been collected and recycled. This helps to reduce the amount of construction waste discharged.
- Enhanced indoor air quality: The indoor air quality is improved through a ventilation system equipped with filters and monitoring of outdoor fresh air supply, meeting the ASHRAE standard (a US standard) for comfort and well-being.
Pizza Hut Signature Lieu Giai puts great emphasis on the ventilation system and air quality monitoring which helps enhance indoor air quality by optimizing outdoor air intake.
Pizza Hut Signature Lieu Giai boasts an “open” architectural design with a spacious atrium, preserving significant land area while integrating ample greenery into both its interior and exterior spaces.
The design not only prioritizes a refined aesthetic but is also meticulously crafted to champion energy efficiency. By incorporating open spaces and glass walls that harness natural sunlight, along with lush green corners, the architecture actively promotes energy conservation.
Pizza Hut’s dedication to sustainable development is evident in its operations where sustainability practices are embedded. Not only does its packaging utilize pizza boxes crafted from FSC-certified paper, ensuring paper is sourced from responsibly managed forests, but Pizza Hut Vietnam has furthered its commitment by transitioning from traditional square pizza boxes to a hexagonal design. This enhancement improves the box’s integrity, thus eliminating the need for plastic lid support and saving over six tons of plastic waste annually.
The new hexagonal pizza box design with enhanced integrity eliminates the need for plastic support, reducing over 6,000 kg of annual single-use plastic previously used to prevent collapse during stacking.
According to a survey conducted by the international consulting firm PwC, consumers are willing to pay a premium of 9.7% for products aligned with sustainable development goals, utilizing recycled materials and meeting eco-friendly criteria1. In Vietnam, research from Statista reveals that 82% of customers who value sustainability are ready to invest in sustainable products2. Additionally, another survey highlights that 85% of customers show brand loyalty to companies dedicated to environmental protection through sustainable practices in their products, packaging, raw materials, production processes, and more3.
The current market shift towards sustainability and the increasing consumer demands present a significant opportunity for Pizza Hut Vietnam. This trend aligns with the ethos of Pizza Hut Signature, positioning the brand at the forefront of sustainable practices.
Pizza Hut General Manager Michael Lin is proud of the restaurant’s eco-friendly features and has seen the benefits of the energy conservation measures implemented at the establishment. The restaurant plays a role in environmental stewardship. “Noteworthy the LEED Gold-certified restaurant has not only set itself apart as a pioneer in sustainable development but has also taken on a proactive community role by promoting knowledge-sharing and supporting a circular economy since its inauguration in January 2024,” said Lin.
Attaining the LEED Gold certification reaffirms Pizza Hut Vietnam’s commitment to sustainable development goals. To commemorate the achievement, a sign has been displayed at the restaurant.
- Consumers willing to pay 9.7% sustainability premium, even as cost-of-living and inflationary concerns weigh: PwC 2024 Voice of the Consumer Survey ↩︎
- Willingness to pay extra for sustainable products among people in Vietnam in 2023 ↩︎
- Consumer inclination to balance convenience with sustainability fuels packaging innovations in Vietnam, says GlobalData ↩︎