Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself. – Chief Seattle
Singita’s accommodation collection is one of our absolute favourites and encompasses over a dozen properties scattered across four different countries – South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Rwanda, and all their properties are going green. With the purpose of travel ever-changing and travellers wanting to give back to communities and enjoy the luxuries of travel without the immense human-impact on land and environments – accommodations are helping them plan sustainable escapes to 5-star retreats without having to compromise on any amenities. Singita has found innovative ways to reduce their footprint by integrating green-practices from the kitchen to guest rooms that won’t harm the beautiful landscapes and wildlife you come to see. It’s the little things that count…
At Singita, they believe that sustainability is an ongoing journey of continuous awareness, improvement, and thoughtful, appropriate adaptation to the changing contexts in which we find ourselves. Reducing their overall use of plastic has been a key objective for the past few years.
We commend them for the incredible efforts they have made recently to be more environmentally friendly. Here are a few of the things they’ve done:
Singita Lodges and Camps
One of Singita’s greatest accomplishments is reducing plastic water bottles by 90% which has saved the equivalent of 127,000 1ℓ plastic bottles from the waste stream. Instead, guests are given reusable glass or stainless steel bottles filled with filtered water which they are encouraged to take with them as they continue on their travels or return home.
In addition, plastic straws have been completely eliminated from use, preventing these non-biodegradable items from finding their way to our landfills and oceans.
Their lodges and camps also provide soft drinks in their minibars in tin or glass and milk is provided in quaint old-school glass bottle.
Singita Sweni
At Singita Sweni Lodge they are experimenting with a bean-to-cup coffee machine that will eliminate coffee ‘pod’ waste. Where Nespresso pods are used, the used pods are sent back to Johannesburg for recycling. The long-term plan is to eventually move away from coffee pods entirely.
Singita Kitchens
For years, Singita has been trying to make their kitchens eco-friendly. They started paying attention to how much cling film their kitchens were using and found alternative ways to store and protect food. The takeaway containers used for our guests’ off-site picnic lunches have been redesigned as well as the dining room condiments. This process is an ongoing one as our chefs continuously engage with their suppliers to reduce plastic and Styrofoam packaging.
Packaging
Last year, the Style, Design & Procurement division implemented a sustainable and reusable crate system which eliminated the use of plastic bubble wrap. Items sent further afield are packed and sealed with gummed paper tape instead of the standard plastic tape.
The Spa
The spa range has shifted to Terres D’Afrique; a more sustainable, locally-produced brand which avoids plastic and uses glass and aluminium packaging for its products.
The Room
The in-suite amenities are from another local range called Malee which uses refillable metal or glass containers for shampoo, conditioner, body wash and moisturiser. Even the complimentary toothbrush is made from bamboo, the cotton buds are fully biodegradable and other small items are plastic free and, where applicable, stored in a corn-starch rather than plastic wrapper. Clean laundry is returned to guests wrapped in paper or in a reusable box, and the in-suite bin liners are brown paper bags.
These simple alternatives to using environmentally-damaging single-use materials play an important role in reducing humans negative impact on the Earth and form part of global efforts to end plastic pollution.
At Singita, it is their goal for everything to circulate back into the ecosystem, the same way that it does in nature. Whether it is at Boulders Lodge, Faru Faru, the new Kwitonda Lodge or any other, enjoy guilt-free time in Africa without compromising on the lush interiors, exquisite spa treatments or room amenities.