Going Green at Gardenia Boutique Hotel

Travelers are making more eco-friendly choices every year, and that includes opting for a green hotel or hotels with green practices when they’re available.

Here are Six green practices that we have implemented in order to take part in our contribution towards a greener tomorrow.

1. Eliminate single use Toiletries:

We have taken the decision to replace shampoo and bath gel minis with refillable dispensers and larger bottles. Plastic pollution is an urgent global crisis and the time is now to think 'reusable' instead of 'disposable

2. Solar Geyser

We have installed solar powered geysers in order to cut our CO2 emissions by almost 50%. At the same time, we are conserving non-renewable fuels for purposes which there are currently no easily available renewable energy sources.

3. Recycling programme

The only plastics we still have on the property is that of water bottles, however we have taken the conscious decision to partake in a recycling programme which requires us to collect all empty plastic water bottles and provide them to our local recycling plant, this results in  reducing the need for extracting, refining and processing raw materials which is a substantial contributor to water and air pollution.

4. We support local produce

We have made the choice buy food from local food producers, There are many benefits to buying locally grown food it creates important economic opportunities, provides health benefits and helps to reduce environmental impact. Purchasing local produce has an array of benefits for the environment such as:

·      Local farmers are encouraged to use sustainable farming practises

·      Protects local land and wildlife

·      Protection of genetic diversity.

5. Installation of energy efficient LED bulbs

LED lights are up to 80% more efficient than traditional lighting such as fluorescent lights.. LED lights also draw much less power when compared to that of traditional lighting, Less energy use reduces the demand from power plants and decreases greenhouse gas emissions. A huge advantage we found when switching to LED lights was that of LED’S contain no toxic elements. Most offices and other hotels currently use fluorescent strip lights which contain harmful chemicals such as mercury. This will contaminate the environment when disposed of in landfill waste.  

6. Recycling of garden waste to create our own organic compost

Composting is good for several reasons such as:

·      Saving water by helping the soil hold moisture and reduce water runoff

·      It benefits the environment by recycling organic resources while conserving landfill space

·      It reduces the need for commercial soil fertilizers which often tend to have chemicals in them.

Other mentionable practises we have put into place

·      Planting of our own vegetable garden

·      Reducing our paper towel consumption

·      Using reusable shopping bags

 Come and Join us at Gardenia Boutique Hotel