Our Environmental
Commitment on the
Dolphin Coast

Our Environmental
Commitment on the
Dolphin Coast

A lodge built into indigenous coastal forest has an obvious
obligation to it. Here is what that looks like in practice.

A lodge built into indigenous coastal forest has an obvious obligation to it. Here is what that looks like in practice.

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what we set out to do

Our Environmental Commitment At Zimbali Lodge & Spa

Zimbali Lodge & Spa sits inside an indigenous coastal forest that carries more than 200 bird species, along with bushbuck, blue duiker, mongoose and vervet monkey. A 50-hectare reserve runs through the estate and demarcated conservation areas follow the dunes down to the sea. The lodge was built into that, not next to it, which is the reason the environmental work here is measured rather than declared.

View our ERO Certificate

Eco status

Environmental Policy

Zimbali Lodge is committed to green hotel policies and to proactive measures that protect and sustain the environment for future generations. The lodge recognises the impact its operations have and works to be an increasingly efficient environmental operation, minimising the detrimental effects of the business.

Our Goal

Our goal is to reduce on our carbon foot print by saving on electricity, water consumption & waste recycling.

In delivering that commitment the lodge will:

  • Comply with relevant environmental legislation and take a proactive approach to future requirements and obligations
  • Conserve natural resources through responsible use of energy, water and materials, while maintaining the quality of service guests expect
  • Monitor performance and aim for continued improvement by reducing, re-using and recycling across energy consumption, waste materials and water consumption
  • Work with suppliers whose own policies for managing environmental impact are compatible
  • Keep the work under review through an active environmental team, updating and communicating it to colleagues and employees

Responsibilities

Small Steps Go A Long Way In Making A Bigger Change

Running a lodge inside an indigenous coastal forest touches most parts of the operation. These are the areas the team works on day to day.

Transportation:

An estate shuttle runs to the Valley of the Pools through the day, which keeps cars off the estate roads and out of the forest.

Water Conservation:

Consumption is monitored daily so leaks show as spikes. Aerators, water-saving shower roses and re-used towels do the rest.

Waste Reduction:

Paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, cooking oil, toner and tubes are all separated, and waste is compacted to cut collections to landfill.

Sustainable Sourcing:

Food and cleaning materials are bought in bulk to cut packaging, with local supply preferred where it is available.

Energy Management:

LED and low-energy bulbs throughout, motion detectors on lighting, and a daily switch-off checklist for vacant and unoccupied spaces.

Educating Guests:

A card in every room explains the towel arrangement, and the Dream Xplorers Eco Warrior badge gives children something to do with it.

Training and Development:

An active environmental team keeps the policy under review and communicates it to colleagues and employees.

Local Partnerships:

Suppliers are chosen partly on whether their own environmental policies are compatible with the lodge's.

Our Initiatives

Energy, Water, Waste and CO2 Initiatives

Is to train staff on how to save/reduce our carbon footprint by involving them on the green initiatives taking place at work. Below is the detailed status update of our environmental initiatives.

Energy Saver Status

  • Electricity consumption monitored daily, with spikes checked as possible faults
  • LED and low-energy light bulbs throughout
  • Motion detectors on lighting
  • An energy-saving checklist run daily, switching off non-essential appliances, lights and air conditioning in vacant and unoccupied spaces
  • Hot water plantrooms isolated in vacant blocks during low occupancy
  • The kitchen hot pass used at intervals and switched off during quiet periods

Water Saver Status

  • Water consumption monitored daily, with spikes checked as possible leaks
  • Towels re-used in guest rooms and replaced only when left in the bath, with a card in every room explaining the arrangement
  • New flush systems being installed in toilets on an ongoing basis
  • Water-saving shower roses installed
  • Aerators fitted to taps
  • Chlorine used in the water features so they are not drained for cleaning
  • Kitchen pot-wash sinks filled and items pre-soaked rather than washed under running water

Waste Efficiency Status

  • Paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, cooking oil, toner cartridges and fluorescent tubes all recycled
  • Waste compacted to reduce the number of collections to landfill
  • Scrap metal recycled
  • Packaging waste cut by buying food and cleaning materials in bulk
  • Printing limited to essential documents

Carbon Footprint Status

• We recycle 30% of all our waste
• We have bins for recyclables, compost & general waste/non recyclables

FAQ

Yes. Zimbali Lodge & Spa holds an ERO Eco Status certificate, and the current certificate is available to download from this page with its issue date shown. The lodge is assessed on energy, water, waste and carbon.

Consumption is monitored daily so leaks show up as spikes. Towels are re-used unless left in the bath, taps carry aerators, showers use water-saving roses, and the water features are chlorinated rather than drained for cleaning.

Paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, cooking oil, toner cartridges and fluorescent tubes are all recycled, scrap metal is separated, and waste is compacted to cut the number of collections going to landfill.

Zimbali Lodge & Spa sits inside indigenous coastal forest on Zimbali Coastal Estate, which holds a 50-hectare reserve and demarcated conservation areas along the dunes. More than 200 bird species live there.

Yes, mostly through the small things: leaving towels on the rail, switching off in the room, and staying on the marked forest paths. Children can also earn an Eco Warrior badge through the Dream Xplorers programme at the lodge.

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