Hotels Taking Steps Towards Sustainability in Funchal

Hotel Orca Praia, a leading property in the eco-friendly hotel industry, is deeply committed to sustainable practices, adopting numerous renewable energy systems. A significant solar system provides a vast capacity of 9,000 liters for sanitary water heating. This is supplemented by a biomass boiler, certified by TUV, that efficiently recycles paper, card, wood, and other bio-substances to generate heat for sanitary water. Adding to the environmental friendliness, the swimming pool is maintained through electrolysis of salt, eliminating harmful chemicals and preventing allergies. Hotel Orca Praia has made significant strides in decarbonization by curtailing the usage of petroleum-based products and making a shift towards Green Energy. Moreover, the hotel fosters self-reliance by harnessing energy from photovoltaic panels.

The hotel prides itself on a comprehensive management system that boasts the quality and environment accreditations of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Additionally, a HACCP system is in place, reinforcing the hotel's commitment to safety and quality standards. It's applied to various services provided by the hotel, including accommodation, food and beverage, leisure activities, and courtesy transport to Funchal's city center. Pro-active measures, such as promoting recycling and electric vehicle use among guests, are continually implemented, with a keen focus on reducing environmental impacts and carbon footprint. The Green Key certification, among others, stands as a testament to their dedication to constant improvement. Hotel Orca Praia also gives food safety and hygiene paramount importance, ensuring quick and efficient response to any needs or issues. This commitment to continuous betterment and stakeholder satisfaction places Hotel Orca Praia at the forefront of eco-friendly hospitality.

Sé Boutique Hotel, a proud recipient of the Green Key award, allows guests to contribute to environmental preservation simply by choosing to stay there. This award, granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education, attests to the hotel's adherence to stringent environmental requirements. Every task conducted by the Sé Boutique Hotel is performed with sustainability and eco-friendliness at its core. The Green Key is an internationally recognized symbol of eco-responsibility, present in 57 countries, and in Portugal, it is represented by the Blue Flag of Europe Association.

Additionally, Sé Boutique Hotel is not merely focused on implementing sustainable practices within its own operations. A key objective of the hotel is to engage in its activities sustainably while simultaneously promoting sound environmental practices within the wider community. The hotel actively encourages sustainable movement and places high value on creating a healthy and sustainable environment for all.

The Cliff Bay - PortoBay demonstrates a deep-seated commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, considering these principles crucial for the future of not just their business, but also for everyone they interact with.

In terms of environmental sustainability, The Cliff Bay - PortoBay has implemented various measures to increase energy efficiency, reduce wastefulness, and manage waste properly. The hotel's yearly energy efficiency plans include solar panels, low-energy bulbs, efficient appliances, and motion detectors. The recycling of all waste, including from rooms, is a norm, with biowaste composting in certain gardens and separate rubbish collection. Water consumption is curbed through the introduction of tap flow reducers, automatic watering systems, and efficient pool filters. A considerable effort is made to reduce paper usage, prioritising recycling and the use of 'green print' seal printers, which additionally helps to save energy. A unique touch is the maintenance of the surrounding green spaces by the gardening team from the Vila Porto Mare resort, indicating their far-reaching commitment to a sustainable environment.