Water

Updating water fixtures, particularly to low-flow toilets, showers and faucets has reduced Bucuti & Tara's water costs related to guest use by 25 percent. By collecting and treating grey water and repurposing it for irrigation, the resort saves another 25 percent. Within the laundry, a 33 percent drying cycle due to ozone injection has increased the efficiency of cost and labor. Additional unquantified savings are realized by using less water for washing, gas for drying and laundry detergent.

In a different facet related to water consumption, more than 15 years ago, Bucuti & Tara began gifting every guest upon arrival with a reusable, insulated, keepsake canteen. Aruba's water is among the best in the world so there was no excuse for consuming bottled water. Every year since inception of this initiative, approximately 290,000 single-use water bottles are never used and therefore never destined for the island's landfill. The return on this investment was nearly instantaneous.

As a bonus, guests bring the keepsake home with them to continue reusing at home and thanks to the logo, it keeps the resort top-of-mind. This reusable water bottle is one initiative that evolved out of the resort's ban of single-use plastics and Styrofoam more than 20 year ago. The cost savings, disposal fees, and emissions and pollution again work in tandem with smarter procurement and decreasing the carbon footprint.

Clean Cleaning

Bucuti & Tara has long used nontoxic chemicals, natural cleaning products and organic insect and rodent control. All are LEED and EPA approved. Switching to natural cleaning products is almost equal in cost. As a basic example, for the resort, a gallon of bleach is US $5.18 versus US $5.49 for a gallon of an eco-friendly cleaner.

This clean chemical approach allowed Bucuti & Tara to be ready faster than any other Aruba property when COVID-19 struck the world. While it could be tempting to resort to traditional cleaning methods such as harsh, toxic, pre-made and shipped chemicals, that would be breaking a commitment to sustainability. Bucuti & Tara hosted ICU doctors and nurses when they weren't treating patients. The medical professionals collaborated with the resort's management team to implement high-tech, hospital-grade COVID-19 safety and health protocols and provide staff training.

Every accommodation already had HEPA air filters and dehumidifiers that spares the chemical removal of mold and mildew. Cleaning with EPA-approved, hospital-grade hydrogen peroxide cleaning products while adding two additional layers of ionizers and UVC germicidal lamp treatments provided a triple-layer system to kill all bacteria and viruses in accommodations and enclosed public spaces. While the procurement of ionizers and UVC germicidal lamps was a large capital cost, it elevated our cleaning to operating room-level and it comforts guests and staff in knowing they are working or staying in the safest, healthiest setting.

Beyond the savings you will enjoy from energy saving technological upgrades, calculating your gains also requires engaging with your guests and incorporating their feedback. Invite guests to join in efforts to make your hotel more sustainable. It could be placing split trash and recycling receptacles throughout the property including guest rooms so waste is separated saving housekeeping time. With Bucuti & Tara's beachfront location, guests join staff for voluntary monthly beach clean-ups. These remove 500 pounds of debris annually from the beach keeping it pristine as well as safe for marine life. Not only is it great for the environment, the good feelings and camaraderie resulting often ends up with social media activity.