SOUTH AFRICA – Luxury hotel concept Hotel Verde has been awarded the Green Building Council of South Africa’s (GBCSA) Net Zero Waste certification, becoming the first hotel in the country to earn the certification.
Hotel Verde surpassed the required 90% landfill diversion target to earn the certification, achieving a 93% diversion rate for its operational waste between March 1, 2023 and February 28, 2024.
This accomplishment highlights the hotel’s dedication to sustainable practices. Caron van Rooyen, the general manager of Hotel Verde, emphasized, “Sustainability is not just a choice; it’s our responsibility.”
Situated only 400 meters from Cape Town International Airport, Hotel Verde is widely recognized as a pioneer in incorporating sustainability into the hospitality sector.
The hotel, which features 151 rooms, a spa, and conference facilities, serves both leisure and business travelers while maintaining a strong focus on eco-friendly practices.
The hotel’s achievement of Net Zero Waste certification was made possible through two main strategies.
The first is its sustainable purchasing policy, which prioritizes waste prevention. This policy encourages suppliers to develop reusable packaging solutions and emphasizes the sourcing of products locally, which helps to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint and minimize waste.
The second strategy involves waste separation and composting. By separating waste, the hotel is able to identify and recycle valuable materials such as metals, plastics, and paper.
Additionally, with clearly labeled bins and comprehensive composting programs, Hotel Verde has successfully composted over 46.8 tons of food waste, contributing to substantial carbon savings.
As South Africa faces diminishing landfill capacity, Hotel Verde’s waste management model serves as a reminder of the pressing need for industry-wide improvements in waste collection practices.
Lisa Reynolds, CEO of the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), noted that the certification marks another significant achievement for Hotel Verde in the field of sustainable development and tourism.
Melissa van Rensburg of Green Gap Consulting, which assisted with the certification, added that Hotel Verde is a prime example of a business that consistently prioritizes sustainability, which is why it became the first hotel in the Western Cape to achieve this certification.
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