Environment | Casuarina Beach Club

Casuarina Beach Club is an environmentally friendly award winning hotel. The ‘Casuarina Green Team’ of 21 members meet monthly to consolidate environmental implementations and to establish new procedures to deal with further environmental needs.

Casuarina has a policy of responsible purchasing. The product is screened by asking; can the product be reused or recycled? Does this product contain recycled materials? Can the product be purchased in bulk? Is the packaging minimal? Is it non-toxic and/or biodegradable?

Some positive examples of our commitment:
- A well known brand of bottled water using PVC plastic, which Barbados cannot recycle. When we refused to continue stocking this item, the manufactures changed the plastic to PET, which can be recycled here.
- Our supplier of biodegradable bags now supplies us in a degradable bag so that we have no garbage to dispose of!
- We have also introduced a concentrated all-purpose cleaner which can be diluted to suit the requirements of the various departments. It is purchased in 5 gallon reusable containers - again no garbage!!
We are very pleased that our environmental efforts are able to influence other businesses in such a positive way.

Waste management involves all elements of the hotel. We have waste separation facilities for recycling purposes and we use cloth or potato sack bags when possible, otherwise we use 100% degradable plastic. Our used cooking oil is strained and sent to a recycling centre. All paper is used on both sides then recycled and shredded paper is used for packaging. Glass, plastic and cardboard are also recycled. Foot Pedal operated taps are fitted in the kitchen to minimise on waste water, environmentally friendly bleach and disinfectant alternatives are used, vinegar is an excellent glass cleaner. No CFC aerosols are used and instead, we make our own potpourri from the dead flower heads collected.

Casuarina is a member of the Organic Growers & Consumers Association, a co-operative body aiming to supply hoteliers with organically grown produce. Our environmental manager - Ms. Loreto Duffy-Mayers, is a member of several national and regional environmental committees. We are concerned with education and awareness of environmental matters and so hold regular training programmes for staff and groups from schools, hotels and other institutions around the Caribbean.

Casuarina Beach Club is a member of several environmental associations: Green Globe, C.A.S.T, Green Hotel Association and Caribbean Conservation Association.

Environmental Awards

- The 2004 Responsible Tourism Award in the category of Best Hotel. Casuarina was selected for its employment of disabled people, initiatives to benefit the poor and outstanding environmental performance. This is the first time these awards have been given and they cover worldwide tourism.
- Casuarina was the first hotel in Barbados to be inducted into the BHTA Hall of Fame.
- Virgin Holidays 2004 Responsible Tourism Gold Award presented at the World Travel Market in London, England.
- National Geographic Traveler & Conservation International 2004 World Legacy Award. Winner in the General Purpose Hotels and Resorts Category.
- CTO (Caribbean Tourism Organization) 'Sustainable Tourism Award' 2003.
- Govenor General's Award to Loreto Duffy-Mayers for her contribution to Sustainable Tourism.
- BHTA Best 'A' Class Hotel 2003.
- Thompson Holidays Environmental Award.
- Virgin Holiday Environmental Award.
- 2002 Barbados Youth Environmental Trust, Silver Award for contribution to the Environment.
- 2002 Barbados Youth Environmental Trust, Environmental Citizenship Award to Loreto Duffy-Mayers, Environmental Manager, Casuarina Beach Club.
- CAST Green Hall of Fame Award for continued environmental excellence, 2002.
- Nomination for the most environmentally concerned property in Barbados in the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association's President's Week of activities to mark Environmental Month 2002.
- A personal award was presented to Gill Whitley - Former Environmental Manager - from CAST in June 2001 - "In Recognition of her Support to CAST and dedication to Environmental Issues in Barbados."
- CTO (Caribbean Tourism Organisation) Special Mention in 2001 Annual Product Innovation and Sustainability Awards.
- Future Centre Trust, Barbados - Personal Award 2000 "Gill Whitley is granted this appreciation for her long, successful and effective espousal of the Environmental aspects of her employment at The Casuarina Beach Club and her perseverance there-in."
- Solo Caribe 2000 - Eco-Resort of 2000.
- CAST Green Hotel of The Year in the Caribbean, 2000.
- British Airways Holidays judged and awarded Casuarina the right to use their Green Logo when advertising in their brochure in 1998 (one out of only 9 hotels in the Caribbean).
- International Hotels and Restaurant Association - Commendation Award, 1998.
- CAST Environmental Awareness Award, 1998.
- CAST Conservation Award, 1997.
- Green Globe, UK Commendation, 1997.

On this website, we have been able to list only some of our environmental efforts. At Casuarina, we have more detailed information for our guests and we organise weekly nature tours. Respect of our environment and its natural resources will surely lead to more sustainable way of living. To this end, we actively encourage environmental awareness.