Savings to inspire and encourage other businesses
According to an independent waste management report, Montecasino's waste reduction figures show that in 2013 a total of 842,067 cubic metres of CO2 was saved, against 2012's saving of 602,901 cubic metres (a close on 40% percentage increase). Water saving went up from 4,059,820 litres in 2012 to 7,090,820 litres in 2013, representing a percentage increase of almost 75%. Energy savings increased to 5,120,221 KW/h in 2013 from 4,254,990 KW/h in 2012 (a 20% increase) and 4,612 trees were saved in 2013 against 2,640 trees in 2012, again, a close 75% increase.
Glenn Joseph, GM of Montecasino believes that highlighting the big savings that Montecasino is achieving will inspire and encourage other businesses - in all industries and of any size - to implement their own greening initiatives and contribute collectively to a more sustainable future for the region and indeed the country.
In line with parent group Tsogo Sun's environmental management policies and other environmental and corporate social responsibility projects, Montecasino's Environmental Policy Statement extends across all sectors of our business and precinct, committing us to the ongoing greening of Montecasino and the environment at large," says Joseph.
"We're very proud that our measurable savings have been increasing steadily and we will continue educating staff, tenants and suppliers on the importance of protecting our environment and of reducing our carbon footprint for immediate benefit and for future generations."
The whole Montecasino precinct, including its three hotels, are part of the precinct's commitment towards greater environmental friendliness, and together have established sustainable environmental management practices in areas such as procurement, resource and waste management.
Montecasino has an extensive water saving project, which includes irrigating the 38-hectare grounds and gardens with borehole water and rain water captured via a storm water system that flows into the onsite dam. Rain sensors have also been installed at all irrigation boxes, which automatically shut off the irrigation system when rainfall exceeds five millimetres. Energy saving measures include the installation of energy efficient lighting in all the covered parking areas and back-of-house areas.
Recycling has been implemented across all activities on the property with all tenants operating on a two-bin system (wet and dry waste bins) which assists in the sorting process in the waste area. Waste is recycled at a level of 75% of waste generated on the property. "These levels are increasing all the time," says Joseph. "We believe that education is key to the increasing success of the greening programme and we drive education and awareness through our policies and through constant reinforcement by way of posters and messaging across the precinct and the Montecasino Bird Gardens, highlighting the value of recycling, how tenants, suppliers and guests can contribute, and what difference it will make in the future."
A new food waste recycling initiative was introduced in 2012, called Bokashi Bin. Bokashi is Japanese for 'organic fermented matter' and is wheat-bran inoculated with a mix of probiotic bacteria, yeast and fungi. This system involves recycling all pre-prepared foods, through a process of layering anaerobic digesters on food waste - including skins, peels, bones, seeds, pips, and excess food left on plates - with bokashi where a fermentation process occurs to produce compost. The compost is used in Montecasino's gardens and on its grounds.
"These are just some of the innovative and highly sustainable initiatives we have implemented to protect our environment - and achieve these unprecedented savings in CO2, water and energy," says Joseph. "We're proud to be green and we will continue to be on the lookout for new initiatives that can grow our environmental programme and create a more eco-friendly precinct."
