Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport proudly announces it has earned the prestigious Net Zero Waste certification from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), solidifying its reputation as a leader in sustainable hospitality. Achieving an impressive 93% landfill diversion rate over 12 months—from 1 March 2023 to 28 February 2024—the hotel’s accomplishment surpasses the required 90% for certification, marking a major milestone in waste management and environmental stewardship.
“Sustainability is not just a choice; it’s our responsibility,” said Caron van Rooyen, General Manager of Hotel Verde. Situated only 400 meters from Cape Town International Airport, Hotel Verde has become Africa’s greenest hotel, offering eco-friendly luxury across its 151 rooms, spa, and conference facilities for 100 delegates. Here, sustainability enhances the guest experience, meeting the expectations of eco-conscious travelers.
Hotel Verde’s Net Zero Waste certification journey is inspired by the visionary commitment of its founder, Mario Delicio. “As a company, we hold a responsibility to care for our environment and the society we inhabit,” Mario shared. “We must stop viewing waste as mere refuse and instead recognize it as a valuable resource.” His approach has fostered a unique blend of guest comfort with strong environmental values.
The Core Strategies Behind the Certification
- Sustainable Purchasing Policy
To reduce waste, Hotel Verde focuses on prevention through sustainable purchasing. By encouraging suppliers to use reusable packaging and prioritizing local procurement, the hotel minimizes its carbon footprint while reducing waste at the source. - Waste Separation and Composting
Recognizing the importance of waste separation, the hotel uses labeled bins to manage materials like metals, glass, plastics, paper, and food waste. This approach helps divert recyclables and compostable materials, preventing them from ending up in landfills.
With South Africa’s landfills nearing capacity, Hotel Verde’s model illustrates the need for broader industry action, urging government-led reforms to facilitate waste sorting from collection onward. Hotel Verde’s waste diversion efforts have led to over 46,803 kg of food waste being composted, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions—a critical move in combating climate change.
A Collaborative Effort in Sustainable Hospitality
The Net Zero Waste certification also showcases the power of collaboration. Green Gap Consulting, led by Melissa van Rensburg, played an instrumental role in guiding Hotel Verde. “Sustainability isn’t just something Hotel Verde does; it’s who they are,” Melissa said. Further support from Zero to Landfill Organics and the Don’t Waste Group helped implement composting and advanced waste management practices.
Lisa Reynolds, CEO of the Green Building Council of South Africa, applauded Hotel Verde, stating, “This achievement highlights their commitment to sustainable tourism, innovation, and meaningful environmental impact.”
Setting New Goals for a Greener Future
As part of its ongoing sustainability mission, Hotel Verde aims to achieve Net Positive Waste certification, striving for even greater waste diversion and reduced environmental impact. This ambitious goal reflects the hotel’s commitment to elevating sustainable practices in hospitality.
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