SUTAINABILITY FEATURE

Hotel Verde achieves net zero waste certification

Setting the standard as the only current net zero waste certified hotel by the Green Building Council of South Africa.

Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport proudly announces its achievement of the prestigious net zero waste certification from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), establishing itself as a pioneer in the hospitality industry for its outstanding waste diversion initiatives. Surpassing the required 90 per cent landfill diversion rate, Hotel Verde achieved an impressive 93 per cent 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.

“Sustainability is not just a choice; it’s our responsibility,” states Caron van Rooyen, general manager of Hotel Verde. Located just 400 metres from Cape Town International Airport, Hotel Verde is celebrated as Africa’s greenest hotel, blending four-star luxury with eco-friendly practices. With 151 stylish rooms, a new spa, and conference facilities for one hundred delegates, it caters to both leisure and business travellers, ensuring a memorable experience rooted in environmental commitment.

At the heart of Hotel Verde’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 that we stop viewing waste as mere refuse destined for landfills. Instead, 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 also 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.

Hotel Verde’s journey to achieving Net Zero Waste was guided by two core strategies

1. Sustainable purchasing policy

The best way to manage waste is through prevention. Hotel Verde understands the importance of creating innovative, reusable packaging solutions. Consequently, they have 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 reduces waste.

2. 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 government needs to change the way waste is collected, and sorting needs to be implemented right from the start.

The hotel’s status as the only current net zero waste certified hotel in Africa results from 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 46,803 kg of food waste, resulting in considerable carbon savings.

The Green Building Council of South Africa, represented by chief executive officer, 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.”

Green Gap Consulting, led by Melissa van Rensburg, 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,” Ms van Rensburg said.

With its composting services, Zero to Landfill Organics played a crucial role by effectively managing and composting waste while fostering sustainable practices that align with Hotel Verde’s commitment.

The Don’t Waste Group, under chief executive officer Jeremy Droyman, offered essential waste management support through their waste documentation client portal. “We're proud to support Hotel Verde in achieving their Net Zero Waste Certification,” Mr Droyman explained.

Looking ahead: Future sustainability goals

As Hotel Verde continues its sustainability journey, the next goal 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 guests, 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.