Sustainability
ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES
At Vila Valverde, sustainability is part of how the hotel was conceived and is lived daily: in energy, water, materials, gardens, swimming pools, the kitchen, and in small gestures that reduce environmental impact without compromising the comfort of your stay.
The property combines environmentally efficient solutions with amenities designed for a tranquil experience: swimming pools, wellness center, gardens, parking, electric vehicle charging, restaurant, wine cellar, bicycles, and relaxation areas.
Among the main measures, the following stand out:
- Sustainable construction, with insulation made of Portuguese cork, a natural and ecological material.
- Use of environmentally friendly cleaning products, free of harsh chemicals.
- Swimming pools treated with biological systems, without the use of chlorine. The outdoor pool uses various filtration systems, and the indoor pool has ozone filtration.
- Energy production through solar panels.
- High energy efficiency equipment, including LED lighting and a card-based electrical room activation system.
- Utilization and reuse of water for irrigation and other purposes, through dedicated drainage, filtration and cistern systems.
- Water-saving faucets throughout the premises.
- Reducing the use of disposable plastics, favoring more sustainable alternatives.
- Organic agricultural production on the property, including vegetables, herbs and fruit trees, grown with organic fertilizers and without pesticides.
- Promoting local products in restaurants, with vegetarian and vegan options.
- Separation and recycling of waste, including paper, glass, plastic, and batteries. Vegetable waste from gardens is transformed into compost for agricultural production.
CARBON FOOTPRINT
Vila Valverde is a Green Key Hotel.
The guarantee of a sustainable vacation...
What is the Green Key Program?
The “Green Key” program is an international award that promotes Sustainable Tourism in Portugal by recognizing tourist establishments that implement good environmental and social practices, value environmental management in their establishments, and promote Environmental Education for Sustainability.
This initiative is the responsibility of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), based in Denmark, and is coordinated in Portugal by the Blue Flag Association of Europe (ABAE), with the support of several national public and private entities.
The objectives of the Green Key program are:
To raise awareness for the adoption of sustainable practices and behaviors among decision-makers and stakeholders (companies, authorities, customers, suppliers, and local communities) through environmental education for sustainability.
Reduce the environmental impact of trade, service and restaurant activities.
To promote the reduction and efficiency in the consumption of natural resources.
To facilitate green marketing strategies and recognize environmental management initiatives.
To contribute to the implementation of Local Agenda 21s through the continuous improvement of the Environmental Policy.
Environmental Policy of Vila Valverde Design & Country Hotel
The Vila Valverde Design & Country Hotel has developed an Environmental Policy by practicing efficient ecological management to minimize the environmental impacts resulting from its activity. In this way, it makes rational use of natural resources and available energy, reducing the effects of pollution on its surrounding environment as much as possible.
In accordance with current legislation, the Vila Valverde Design & Country Hotel:
- Regularly assesses the potential environmental impacts it may cause, complying with all applicable standards and regulations for sustainable tourism;
- It maintains partnerships with external entities, both public and private (governmental institutions, municipalities, associations, suppliers, etc.), in order to improve the environmental performance of its activities, products, and services. To this end, it also involves clients and employees, with regular environmental awareness campaigns for its staff.