The small island resorts, located in Antigua, Barbuda, Jamaica and Saint Lucia, face threats brought on by climate change. This includes rising sea levels that have the potential to wipe out the golden beaches that attract millions of tourists annually.
Mr Stewart Moore, CEO and founder of EarthCheck, said that on World Environment Day, EarthCheck is celebrating the leadership of Sandals Resorts & Beach Resorts in addressing the challenge of climate change.
“For ten years Sandals resorts have used the EarthCheck platform to develop initiatives that support sustainability and the need to minimise their environmental impact.
Mr Moore said the results from some of the properties were impressive.
“Sandals Negril located in Jamaica understands that water supply is critical; they implemented initiatives that put them above best practice for water conservation in their sector.
“Over the years these initiatives have included: installing dual and low flush toilets, low-flow taps and shower fittings, and minimising irrigation for landscaping. Each week the team makes additional efforts to check for water leaks.”
Denisha Powell, Environmental Health and Safety Manager from Sandals Negril, said in addition to water, Sandals Negril has made a huge effort to minimise waste sent to landfill.
“In 2012, we sent 1,507,690.8 litres of waste to landfill. By 2013, this figure was decreased to 751,922.3 litres. We effectively halved our waste to landfill; that is we reduced our waste to landfill by 755,768.5 litres. This amount of rubbish could fill seven double decker buses,” said Ms Powell.
Sandals Negril will highlight their commitment to minimising waste to landfill with the launch of a community-wide recycling initiative on World Environment Day.
Ms Powell said, “We want to involve our entire community with this initiative – from kids and schools, to hotels and small businesses – and by doing so, we will continue our mission to make Jamaica the greenest destination in the Caribbean.”
Jonathan Joseph, the Environmental Health and Safety Manager for a second Sandals property, Sandals Halcyon Beach St Lucia, said his property is also focusing on recycling water and waste.
“We have established a wastewater treatment plant that uses hotel waste water – this water is used on the hotel grounds and gardens, as well as on a small plant nursery that also uses composted waste from the hotel.
“Oil from our kitchens is collected and used to make biodiesel off-site.
“We also train beachfront staff in sea turtle identification and nesting habits. This data is relayed to the Fisheries Department on St Lucia to enhance their turtle conservation efforts.”
By minimising their environmental impact, these Sandals resorts and hotels echo the mission of Sandals Foundation, a non-for-profit foundation established by Sandals CEO that aims to reduce the problems faced by the Caribbean.
EarthCheck is proud to celebrate the achievements of these small island members who have taken positive steps towards reducing their impact on their environment.
No comments:
Post a Comment