The Cape Grace has been awarded a Green Key certification, the only hotel in South Africa to currently hold this sustainability accolade.
The Green Key evaluation process is across four pillars of sustainability; sustainable management, environmental impacts, cultural impacts, and socio-economic impacts which are confirmed by an independent third-party audit of hotel practices.
Green Key rigorously evaluates, and audits businesses and establishments based on the Foundation for Environmental Education’s strict criteria for their environmental responsibility and sustainable operation. These criteria help to guide the achievement of the UN’s seventeen Sustainable Development Goals which include effective energy use, water management, waste reduction, and sustainability education/training.
For water and energy reduction, the hotel has installed low-flow shower heads and dual-flush toilets with a daily leak-checking protocol. The Cape Grace also makes use of a Guest Room Management system which allows a room’s electricity to be automatically turned off when it has been vacant for more than 30 minutes. These measures have significantly reduced water consumption and energy use.
Its Sustainable, Education, Training and Practices includes encouraging guests to participate in reducing laundry loads. Comprehensive sustainability training for staff is provided to ensure they are well-versed in eco-friendly practices which includes water and energy conservation techniques, waste reduction strategies, and the importance of sourcing locally and seasonally. Staff members are also trained to educate and encourage guests in adopting these practices.
The Cape Grace has also committed to reducing single-use plastic throughout the property. A full-time worker from the hotel’s partner, WastePlan, meticulously separates and colour-codes all waste to minimize reuse. The hotel regularly receives rebates from WastePlan.
Green Key in its final summary and decision on Cape Grace stated:
“This establishment is well on their way with their sustainability journey. The establishment performed well in all the Green Key Categories. The audit identified several key areas where the organisation is performing extremely well, including environmental management, waste management, plastic reduction, energy efficiency, and water conservation. The establishment has made significant strides in achieving its environmental sustainability goals and has demonstrated compliance with Green Key for a Year 1 applicant.”
