Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport is the only current net-zero waste certified hotel in Africa.

Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport has achieved a net-zero waste certification, setting the standard as the only current net-zero waste certified hotel by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). 

The certification establishes Hotel Verde as a pioneer in the hospitality industry for its outstanding waste diversion initiatives. Surpassing the required 90% landfill diversion rate, Hotel Verde achieved an impressive 93% diversion rate for operational waste over twelve months, recorded from 1 March 2023 to 28 February 2024. This underscores its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. 

Responsible sustainability 

The net-zero waste certification is the latest sustainability achievement for the hotel.

Located just 400 metres from Cape Town International Airport, Africa’s greenest hotel blends four-star luxury with eco-friendly practices. “Sustainability is not just a choice – it’s our responsibility,” states Caron van Rooyen, general manager of Hotel Verde.  

At the heart of Hotel Verde’s visionary journey lies the inspiration of its founder and director, Mario Delicio. “As a company, we have a responsibility to care for our environment and the society we inhabit. It’s time we stop viewing waste as mere refuse destined for landfills. Instead, we must recognise waste as a valuable resource, which is precious to us all.” 

What began as a simple business decision evolved into a profound commitment to sustainability, fuelled by Delicio’s role as a parent and grandparent, dedicated to preserving the planet for future generations. 

Core strategies 

Hotel Verde’s journey to achieving net-zero waste was guided by two core strategies: 

• Sustainable purchasing policy: The best way to manage waste is through prevention. Many of Hotel Verde’s suppliers are sourced locally, and have been urged to create innovative, reusable packaging solutions. By focussing on environmentally responsible procurement, Hotel Verde greatly reduces its carbon footprint and significantly cuts down on waste. 
• Waste separation and composting: Waste separation uncovers valuable materials such as metals, glass, plastics, paper and food waste, which can be recycled and sold. The hotel provides labelled bins for recyclables and food waste, thus promoting sustainability among guests and staff and supporting environmental conservation. 

As landfill sites in South Africa approach capacity, Hotel Verde’s innovative waste management practices underscore the urgent need for industry-wide intervention. The government needs to change the way waste is collected, and sorting needs to be implemented right from the start. 

Hotel Verde aims to develop financially and environmentally sustainable hospitality solutions that meet third-party green building certification criteria.

First in Africa 

The hotel’s status as the only current net-zero waste certified hotel in Africa is a result of key collaborations, highlighting the importance of teamwork in addressing this pressing issue.  

Diverting food waste from landfills conserves valuable space and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, a key factor in combatting climate change. Through meticulous waste separation and composting efforts, the hotel has successfully composted over 46 803kg of food waste, resulting in considerable carbon savings. 

Industry recognition 

The GBCSA, represented by chief executive officer (CEO) Lisa Reynolds, commends Hotel Verde. “This is the latest in many of their achievements within the sustainable development and sustainable tourism space. This takes innovation and meaningful communication – another thing that the owners, management and staff do well at Hotel Verde.” 

Melissa van Rensburg, Senior Consultant from Green Gap Consulting, provided expert guidance throughout the certification process. “Sustainability isn’t just something Hotel Verde does – it’s who they are. Hotel Verde is a sterling example of a business that puts sustainability at the forefront of every decision and action it takes, showcasing why it is the first hotel in the Western Cape to achieve this certification.” 

Key partnerships 

With its composting services, Zero to Landfill Organics played an important role, effectively managing and composting waste while fostering sustainable practices that align with Hotel Verde’s commitment. 

The Don’t Waste Group, under CEO Jeremy Droyman, offered essential waste management support through their on-site waste management services and waste documentation client portal. “We are proud to support Hotel Verde in achieving its net-zero waste certification,” explained Droyman. 

The hotel offers guests a 100% offset carbon-neutral stay.

Looking ahead 

As Hotel Verde continues its sustainability journey, the next goal is to achieve a net-positive waste certification, further increasing waste diversion efforts and collaborating with stakeholders to minimise challenging waste streams.  

This ambitious target reflects the hotel’s unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility and its aspiration to set new benchmarks in sustainable hospitality. 

Hotel Verde invites guests, stakeholders and the broader community to join its journey towards a greener future, demonstrating that sustainable practices can be seamlessly integrated into hospitality for a more responsible world. 

Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport has made groundbreaking strides in sustainability through effective waste management and sustainable procurement.  

For more information, contact Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport: 

Tel: +27 21 380 5500  

Website: www.hotelverde.com