Hotel Verde, known as Africa’s Greenest Hotel, has received the prestigious Net Zero Waste certification from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA)—a first in Africa.
The certification establishes the hotel as a pioneer in the hospitality industry for its outstanding waste diversion initiatives. Hotel Verde achieved an impressive 93% diversion rate for operational waste over 12 months, recorded from 1 March 2023 to 28 February 2024, surpassing the required 90% landfill diversion rate.
Located 400 metres from Cape Town International Airport, Hotel Verde blends 4-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.
Sustainability at Its Core
What started as a straightforward business decision soon transformed into a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability, driven by the hotel’s founder and director, Mario Delicio’s passion to protect the planet for future generations.
“As a company, we hold a responsibility to care for our environment and the society we inhabit. It’s time we stop viewing waste as mere refuse destined for landfills. Instead, we must recognise waste as a valuable resource—precious to us all,” he said.
Caron van Rooyen, General Manager of Hotel Verde, believes “Sustainability is not just a choice; it’s our responsibility.”
Road to Net Zero Waste Certification
Hotel Verde’s journey to achieving Net Zero Waste was guided by two core strategies:
sustainable purchasing policy and waste separation and composting.
For instance, Hotel Verde has encouraged many suppliers to adopt innovative, reusable packaging solutions, and by prioritising environmentally responsible procurement, the hotel reduces its carbon footprint and significantly cuts down on waste.
Hotel Verde provides clearly labelled bins for recyclables and food waste, promoting sustainability among guests and staff while supporting environmental conservation.
Through meticulous waste separation and composting efforts, the hotel has successfully composted over 46,803 kg of food waste, resulting in substantial carbon savings.
How Guests Are Rewarded for Being Sustainable
Guests at Hotel Verde receive two-way bins in their rooms for wet (food waste) and dry waste separation. They are encouraged to reduce waste through signage and are incentivised to reuse towels.
To promote sustainability, guests earn Verdinos, an in-house currency, for participating in eco-friendly activities. Verdinos can be used like cash at the hotel for meals and gifts.
Guests can earn Verdinos by:
- Correctly separating waste
- Reusing towels instead of requesting daily washing
- Minimising air-conditioning use
- Using gym equipment that generates energy
- Jogging on the eco-trail
Eco-friendly
The hotel has the following eco-friendly amenities and features:
- Eco pool with natural mountain spring water.
- Outdoor gym and jogging trail
- Grey water recycling systems installed
- Recycling greywater from showers for use in toilet cisterns
- LED low-watt lighting
- Sophisticated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system to reduce energy consumption
- Renewable energy generation
- During design and construction, the project has followed the criteria of the Green Building Council of South Africa and is pursuing 5-star certification
- Regenerative drive elevators
- Responsibly sourced, recycled and eco-friendly furniture and products used where feasible
The Path Forward
As Hotel Verde continues its sustainability journey, its next goal is to achieve Net Positive Waste certification by further increasing waste diversion efforts and collaborating with stakeholders to minimise difficult waste streams.
The hotel encourages others to join its journey towards a greener future. “Sustainable practices can be seamlessly integrated into hospitality for a more responsible world,” the hotel said in a statement.
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- President Hotel Paves the Way for Inclusive Hospitality: www.capetown.travel/cape-town-hotel-paves-the-way-for-inclusive-hospitality/
- Hotel Verde member listing
