Gili Lankanfushi

Earth CheckCertificates

In order to preserve the environment, the resort is committed to achieving the best possible environmental and social sustainability practices. In 2014, they partnered with EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for sustainable travel and tourism, to help them achieve this.

    

GILIS SEAS – Social & Environmental Awareness and Sustainability

• Gili Lankanfushi is committed to protecting the environment; the resort operation is dependent on the environment and seeks to minimize its impact on nature.
• The policy is still under development and consists of three components

1. Purchasing focus on local and fair trade products
2. Resort operations in harmony with the natural environment (social and environmental)
3. Carbon footprint, waste management and waste disposal

• Sourcing locally whenever possible to reduce transportation emissions and support local businesses
• Reuse, recycle, reduce, use products that are biodegradable, reusable or recyclable
• Packaging is minimized
• Fair working conditions, including fair wages and local hiring by selected suppliers
• Reduce water and energy consumption
• Reduce use of plastics wherever possible

Architecture

• The hotel’s architecture is designed to blend with the island’s natural environment in terms of scale, materials and building texture
• Deep roof overhangs provide shade and reduce the heat of the sun
• Local materials are used wherever possible, skillfully crafted by the Gili carpentry team, e.g. driftwood benches, coconut ice holders, jungle stick bike racks, palm leaf roofing
• Over-water construction minimizes building capacity on the island and allows for less disturbance, more vegetation and wildlife

Energy

• Tropical climate compatibles in guest facilities
• Passive cooling and lighting used indoors
• Electricity is generated on the island in combination with solar and diesel, the generators are connected to a hot water system to provide hot water for the island (not the villas due to the location) without the use of additional boilers
• Lighting is controlled by timers, no bulbs over 40W, and where possible energy saving bulbs.
• Air condition units are set to 27°C by default
• The laundry works during the day to avoid wasting energy on dryers
• Procedures and control systems for routine maintenance of facilities and equipment to ensure optimal performance and maximum longevity

Water and Chemical

• Gili desalinates seawater through reverse osmosis – the water is desalinated in a 4-step process, re-mineralized and bottled in reusable glass bottles
• As this is also an energy consuming process, it is necessary to conserve as much water as possible by using water saving shower heads and taps and encouraging guests to use less water
• No plastic water bottles are purchased to minimize the carbon footprint
• Housekeeping aims to minimize the use of harmful substances, and Ecolab products are used primarily for laundry

Food and Beverage

• Gili’s food and beverage department is committed to providing a superior guest experience while working hard to reduce the impact on the environment
• The chefs work closely with the gardeners to ensure that most of the herbs, foliage and vegetables needed are available
• Working closely with the purchasing department to ensure local and eco-friendly sourcing
• Training employees on environmentally responsible food and beverage handling practices
• Employees and guests are encouraged to participate in all green initiatives.

Waste Management

• Reuse and recycling principles
• Employees are encouraged to separate waste
• The eco-center where waste is treated consists of a composter for organic waste, a can crusher, and an on-site mini-incinerator for use when needed.
• Used water from boats and generators is sold to locals to purify
• Waste Water is being treated in a centralized sewage plant. Waste water and sewage from the villas and resort facilities are collected by a small-bore sewage network. The module plant, which breaks soils up to 2,5 mm size, works with bacteria and microbes form, fed by the oxygenated water, which in turn allows the bacteria to eat up the sewage. There are 3 steps and with the last a small amount of chemical is added to disinfect the water. The treated water runs trough a pipeline to the outside of the lagoon and is safely disposed there. Water samples are regularly sent to an independent laboratory and the result is monitored to ensure environmental safety

Social Responsibility

• Ongoing staff training
• Focus on local recruitment
• The hotel provides a regular free ferry service to Male and Himmafushi for staff to visit family, shop or meet friends. People living on Himmafushi can also use the ferry.
• Working with the neighborhood island Himmafushi and supporting the school
• Gili is paying the salary of a full time English teacher in the school of Himmafushi
• Supporting the local communities