Responsible Waste Management at Gondwana Lodges

Gondwana Collection Namibia has taken significant steps toward responsible waste management, striving to minimise waste and promote recycling, repurposing, and biodegradation across all its operations. With a clear vision of sending no waste to landfills, Gondwana focuses on limiting the use of non-recyclable materials and eliminating single-use plastics from its restaurants, bars, and lodge rooms. This commitment not only helps protect the environment but also sets a standard for sustainable practices in the hospitality industry. 

A Comprehensive Waste Management Plan 

At the core of Gondwana's sustainability efforts is a robust waste management plan designed to handle waste responsibly. Each establishment sorts and stores waste in a dedicated waste management facility before transporting it to recycling centers. Gondwana collaborates with Rent-A-Drum, a local waste management company, to ensure that waste is disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. This partnership allows Gondwana to effectively manage its waste and contribute to the circular economy. 

One of the major initiatives implemented by Gondwana is the reduction of single-use plastics. The company has taken proactive measures to eliminate plastic water bottles by installing filtered water dispensers at its lodges. This initiative has not only decreased plastic waste but has also encouraged guests to refill their reusable bottles, fostering a culture of sustainability among visitors. In 2023, Gondwana reported serving over 2,700 servings of 500 ml water from the Kalahari Anib Lodge water dispenser, a significant increase from the 2,200 servings in 2022. This reduction in plastic bottle usage is a testament to Gondwana's commitment to sustainable practices and its proactive approach to waste management. 

Innovations in Waste Management 

Gondwana is continuously seeking innovative solutions to enhance its waste management efforts. In addition to reducing single-use plastics, the company has focused on increasing the produce from its lodges’ food gardens. This initiative not only provides fresh ingredients for the kitchens but also reduces the need for single-use plastic wrapping, further minimising waste. Gondwana also emphasises the importance of recycling electronic waste. The Windhoek head office contributed 300 kg of the total 683 kg of recycled e-waste, which included old computers, printers, and telephones. By recycling this electronic waste, Gondwana prevented approximately 984 kg of CO2 emissions from being released into the atmosphere, showcasing its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. 

Food Waste Solutions 

Gondwana has implemented effective solutions for managing food waste as well. The Weinberg Windhoek, one of its urban hotels, has partnered with a local guest farm, Moonraker Outdoor Adventure Camp, to send its food waste for pig feed. In 2023, the hotel sent an impressive 19,500 kg of kitchen waste to Moonraker, turning what would have been waste into a valuable resource for local agriculture. Furthermore, Gondwana successfully transported 42,916 kg of waste to waste management centers for recycling in 2023. This significant amount of waste reflects the company's dedication to responsible waste management and its ongoing efforts to recycle as much as possible. 

Future Goals and Challenges 

Looking ahead, Gondwana aims to prioritise finding workable solutions to the challenges of transporting waste to waste management centers (WMCs) for its lodges in the Zambezi and Karas regions, which are the furthest from WMCs. Addressing this logistical challenge is crucial for maintaining the effectiveness of Gondwana's waste management plan and ensuring that all waste is handled responsibly. In 2024, Gondwana continues to focus on improving its waste management practices, exploring innovative solutions, and enhancing its partnerships with local waste management organisations. By doing so, the company aims to further reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainability within the hospitality industry. 

Gondwana Collection Namibia’s commitment to responsible waste management reflects its dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship. By implementing comprehensive waste management strategies, reducing single-use plastics, and exploring innovative solutions, Gondwana sets a benchmark for the hospitality industry in Namibia. Through its ongoing efforts, Gondwana not only minimises its environmental footprint but also inspires guests and the broader community to adopt sustainable practices. As the company continues to evolve its waste management initiatives, it remains steadfast in its mission to protect Namibia’s natural resources and promote a cleaner, greener future for all. Gondwana’s responsible waste management practices exemplify how businesses can play a vital role in addressing environmental challenges and fostering a culture of sustainability.

Gondwana Collection Namibia has established itself as a leader in responsible waste management, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Over the years, the company has implemented a comprehensive waste management plan aimed at reducing waste, recycling materials, and ultimately sending no waste to landfills. This article highlights Gondwana's achievements in waste management, its initiatives to reduce single-use plastics, and its strategic objectives for a sustainable future. 

Gondwana's efforts in waste management have yielded impressive results. The percentage of waste sent to landfills has decreased from 35% in 2020 and 2021 to 25% in 2022, with a target of reducing this figure to 20% by 2024. Despite a slight increase to 30% in 2023, and remains committed to its goal of minimising landfill waste. One of the standout achievements in waste management is Gondwana's recycling of used cooking oil. In 2023, the company recycled an impressive 2,112 litres of used cooking oil, a significant increase from 625 litres in 2022. This included 855 litres recycled from The Weinberg Windhoek, showcasing the company’s dedication to repurposing waste materials. Additionally, Gondwana has recycled 178 printer cartridges and 683 kg of e-waste in partnership with NamiGreen, an e-waste recycling business based in Windhoek. This marks a substantial increase from the previous year, where only 91 cartridges and 109 kg of e-waste were recycled. The partnership with OilTech further enhances Gondwana’s waste management efforts, as they recycle used engine oil and old oil filters, upcycling them into firelighters. In 2023, Gondwana purchased 2,338 kg of recycled firelighters, up from 630 kg in 2022, illustrating the positive impact of these initiatives. 

Reducing Single-Use Plastics 

Gondwana has made significant strides in eliminating single-use plastics from its operations. The company has successfully removed all single-use plastic items from its restaurants and bars wherever feasible. This initiative includes the elimination of mini foil and plastic butter portions, the introduction of paper straws at all lodges, and the use of eco-friendly packaging and wax paper wrapping for lunch packs. 

In addition, Gondwana has replaced coffee sachets with glass coffee jars and stainless-steel plungers, and it provides stainless steel sugar canisters for guests. The Kalahari Anib Lodge features a water dispenser that encourages guests to refill their reusable bottles, further reducing plastic waste. 

Strategic Objectives for Responsible Waste Management 

Gondwana's waste management initiatives are guided by strategic objectives that emphasise responsible consumption, the elimination of single-use waste, and efficient waste management and recycling. The company is committed to fostering a culture of sustainability that extends beyond its operations and encourages guests and local communities to adopt environmentally friendly practices. 

Through partnerships with organisations like Rent-a-Drum, Gondwana promotes waste separation and recycling efforts. The company actively participates in campaigns such as #ItsUp2Us, which aims to prevent non-biodegradable materials from being dumped in landfills, a significant contributor to pollution. Regular clean-up activities and awareness programs are organised at lodges and the head office in Windhoek to maintain the commitment to keeping Namibia clean.