Half Moon voted Jamaica’s Most Eco-Sustainable Resort
THE HALF Moon in Montego Bay, for the second time, earned the accolades as Jamaica’s Best Eco/Sustainable Hotel at the 2016 Gleaner Hospitality Jamaica Awards.
According to marketing communications manager Laura Redpath, it is a recognition that the hotel is thrilled to have earned again, especially in light of its consistent environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism practices.
“It is great to be recognised for our efforts in eco-sustainability, and this award is a reminder that we must continue our vigilance in this area,” Redpath said.
The 400-acre property, which is now in its 62nd year of operation, has been unflinching in its bid to integrate environmental conservation efforts and green initiatives within its operations. In fact, so comprehensive is its conservation efforts that every single department at the hotel and even its guests are involved.
RECYCLING PROGRAMME
Half Moon has an impressive and unique raft of recycling initiatives. Among them are a fabric recycling/reuse programme in which old beach towels are converted to cleaning cloths and old linen is converted to stuffed toys; as well as another, where shredded paper from the administrative offices is sold to local funeral homes or used as padding for transporting of guests’ craft items. In addition, wood chips from the furniture shop are used as mulch in landscaping, at the Equestrian Centre as horse bedding and also for toy-making, while horse dung is used as organic fertiliser at the plant nursery.
Half Moon is also contributing to sustainable agriculture as approximately 90 per cent of its food is bought from local providers. Waste cooking oil is used in the manufacturing of poultry feed and waste auto oil in the manufacturing of bio-diesel, while old batteries are sent off property for recycling.
Where utilities are concerned, Half Moon has replaced highwattage light bulbs with low-energy ones, which has resulted in a sharp reduction in energy consumption. Water conservation and recycling has also been given paramount importance as treated waste water is also used in property irrigation instead of potable water.