Eco-friendly hotels are environmentally and socially responsible as well as cost effective. More and more companies are jumping on the green bandwagon as a way of protecting valuable resources like water and trees as well as appealing to clientele concerned about the toll their actions have on the planet. One lodge in Voi has decided to take an entirely different approach to irrigating its gardens and 3,000 trees. It recycles sewage and dirty water in a recycling plant and turns it into a clean, safe resource that saves the accommodation money.
On the Cutting Edge of Eco-Tourism
The Voi Wildlife Lodge hotel made the changes as a way of becoming the leading eco-tourist lodge in the Tsavo region. Tourists from around the world come to see the wildlife in nearby Tsavo East National park roaming freely. General Manager Permenus Riungu told the Star that, “We want our hotel to be the leading in terms of environment conservation and management. The machine recycles sewage from the hotel and water that comes out is pumped for irrigating 3,000 trees planted around the hotel.”
The lodge also has a biogas system. Kitchen waste is collected in a tank and then converted into biogas, the hotel’s main energy source. It is the most cost effective form of energy available. Water at the lodge is heated using solar energy. It makes sense because Voi is hot and sunny.
Eco Responsibility and Social Responsibility
Voi Wildlife Lodge donates to the Kaloleni Childrens Rescue Centre several times a year. Rubber shoes, slippers, sanitary pads, milk, bread, food items, toys, stationary, and books are among the items donated. School fees and scholarships are also provided to some of the children. Choosing to spend your hard-earned money on eco-friendly accommodations helps support programs like these.
Leaf Photo Courtesy of Stuart Miles
Recycling Symbol Courtesy of KROMKRATHOG
