A verdant oasis
Hotel Verde Cape Town recently added a remarkable Net Zero Waste certification from Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) to its host of sustainability accolades.
Proud owner of the title “Africa’s greenest hotel”, Hotel Verde at Cape Town International Airport has now established itself as a pioneer in the hospitality industry for its outstanding waste diversion initiatives, and is currently the only Net Zero Waste-certified hotel in South Africa.
Hotel Verde achieved an impressive 93% diversion rate for operational waste over 12 months, recorded from 1 March 2023 to 28 February 2024, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The required landfill diversion rate is 90%.
“Sustainability is not just a choice; it’s our responsibility,” says Caron van Rooyen, General Manager of Hotel Verde. Located just 400m from Cape Town International Airport, Hotel Verde blends four-star luxury with eco-friendly practices. With 151 stylish rooms, a new spa and conference facilities for 100 delegates, it caters to leisure and business travellers, ensuring a memorable experience rooted in environmental commitment.
At the heart of the hotel’s visionary journey lies the inspiration of its founder and director, Mario Delicio: “As a company, we hold a responsibility to care for our environment and the society we inhabit. It’s time we stopped viewing waste as mere refuse destined for landfills. We must recognise waste as a valuable resource – precious to us all.”
Driven by his passion for travel and keen intuition, Mario recognised the need for a hospitality experience that caters to guests’ comfort and aligns with their green values. What began as a simple business decision evolved into a profound commitment to sustainability, fuelled by Mario’s role as a parent and grandparent dedicated to preserving the planet for future generations.
Key approaches
Hotel Verde’s journey to achieving Net Zero Waste was guided by two core strategies:
- Sustainable purchasing policy: The best way to manage waste is through prevention. Hotel Verde understands the importance of creating innovative, reusable packaging solutions. Consequently, the hotel has urged many suppliers to embrace this approach. Moreover, sourcing products locally is essential. By focusing on environmentally responsible procurement, Hotel Verde greatly reduces its carbon footprint and significantly cuts down on waste.
- Waste separation and composting: Waste separation is crucial for uncovering valuable materials like metals, glass, plastics, paper and food waste, which can be recycled and sold. Hotel Verde exemplifies this by providing labelled bins for recyclables and food waste, promoting sustainability among guests and staff, and supporting environmental conservation.
As landfill sites in South Africa approach capacity, Hotel Verde’s innovative waste management practices underscore the urgent need for industry-wide intervention. The way waste is collected needs to be changed – sorting should be implemented right from the start.
A team effort
The hotel’s status as the only current Net Zero Waste Certified hotel in Africa is a result of key collaborations, highlighting the importance of teamwork in addressing this pressing issue. Diverting food waste from landfills not only conserves valuable space but also significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, a crucial factor in combating climate change. Through meticulous waste separation and composting efforts, the hotel has successfully composted over 46 803kg of food waste, resulting in considerable carbon savings.
GBCSA CEO Lisa Reynolds commends Hotel Verde: “This is the latest in many of their achievements within the sustainable development and sustainable tourism space. This takes innovation and meaningful communication – another thing that the owners, management and staff do well at Hotel Verde.”
Melissa van Rensburg, Senior Consultant from Green Gap Consulting, was the Accredited Professional on the project and provided expert guidance throughout the certification process: “Sustainability isn’t just something Hotel Verde does; it’s who they are. Hotel Verde is a sterling example of a business that puts sustainability at the forefront of every decision and action they take, showcasing why they are the first hotel in the Western Cape to achieve this certification.”
With its composting services, Zero to Landfill Organics played a crucial role by effectively managing and composting waste while also fostering sustainable practices that align with Hotel Verde’s commitment. The Don’t Waste Group, under CEO Jeremy Droyman, offered essential waste management support through its on-site waste management services and waste documentation client portal.
Looking ahead
The next goal in Hotel Verde’s sustainability journey is to achieve a Net Positive Waste certification by further increasing waste diversion efforts and collaborating with stakeholders to minimise challenging waste streams. This ambitious target reflects the hotel’s unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility and its aspiration to set new benchmarks in sustainable hospitality.
Hotel Verde invites its guests and stakeholders, and the broader community to join its journey towards a greener future, demonstrating that sustainable practices can be seamlessly integrated into hospitality for a more responsible world. www.hotelverde.com
