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By definition “going green” is “a phrase referring to an individual action that a person can consciously take to curb harmful effects on the environment through consumer habits, behavior and lifestyle.” But what does that really mean and how does it affect business? While many companies make the claim that they are green, the spectrum of what this entails varies greatly. So, we’d like to take a moment to share with you not only some of the reasons why being mindful of our environmental impact is so important to us but also what some of our certifications actually mean.
Reason 1: Degradation of the Environment
In the late seventies and early eighties there was growing concern regarding what impact the introduction of fast food chains and a rapidly growing population would cause to Aruba’s pristine environment. This time period saw an influx of 35,000 workers to Aruba, and we wanted to be certain that we were protecting the island’s natural beauty during this period of change.
One way we could do this was to earn environmental certifications. Utilizing the certifications as a guideline, we essentially established a road map to complete an environmental conservation platform, including a scientific approach to implement programs that would protect our culture, demand a food safety system and institute a disease prevention program to protect guests against illnesses such as Legionnaires Disease.
So, what certifications does Bucuti have?
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world’s largest developer of voluntary International Standards. International Standards give state-of-the-art specifications for products, services and good practices, helping to make the industry more efficient and effective. Developed through global consensus, International Standard helps to break down barriers to international trade.
Another motivating factor was our awareness of the environmental footprint tourism leaves behind. To alleviate this and move towards being carbon neutral, we were able to institute a number of practices: sourcing local vendors to supply the resort with food, artwork and bath amenities from Aruba Aloe; purchasing in bulk; using in-room dispensers as opposed to travel-sized plastic bottles; and utilizing eco-friendly types of paper for our resort marketing materials. Through this effort alone, Bucuti has been able to save more than 80 trees as well as reduce waste water by 37,617 gallons, solid waste by 2,315 lbs. and greenhouse gases by 7,936 lbs. in one year.
Additionally Bucuti has an extensive recycling and reuse system in place that includes: replacing disposable items such forks, knives, spoons, plates, cups etc. with reusable water canteens and silverware; placement and use of recycling bins for green glass, aluminum, paper and vegetable oil throughout the property; the use of gray water for irrigation in most areas; and the use of leftovers as mulch and fertilizer throughout our gardens.
Reason 2: Energy Costs
Another concern along the way was the increasing cost of energy. As the adage goes, "necessity is the mother of invention," so we needed to find a way to reduce consumption and lower our expenses without dramatically affecting guests.
In the hotel business there are two ways to survive. One is to increase rates, which leads to customer dissatisfaction, and the second is to reduce consumption drastically and pass on savings. Here at Bucuti, we’ve chosen the latter. Through our energy conservation, we have been able to maintain reasonable rates because we can pass along the savings to our guests. In fact, our energy conservation initiatives (such as heating water via solar panels and utilizing water reducers) have worked so well that we have cut down water flow by 60% and can report the lowest per-occupied-room electricity usage of all hotels in Aruba.
Reason 3: Preservation for the Future
Last but certainly not least, we look forward to ensuring a sustainable environment for our future generations of residents and visitors alike so that they may enjoy the beauty we are fortunate enough to witness. As stewards of the environment, we believe that it is our duty to protect and preserve our surroundings, and through the combination of our practices and our guests’ commitment and passion, we are confident that generations to come will treasure Aruba and Bucuti.
If you have any questions regarding our environmental practices or if you’d like to share some of your own thoughts regarding conservation, we’d love to hear from you!