A key objective of Gondwana Collection Namibia’s Environmental Strategy includes a commitment to minimising the company’s negative footprint on the environment. To achieve this, Gondwana actively promotes sustainable procurement practices, on-site sorting of recyclable waste, and the reduction of all single-use plastic and packaging at lodges where feasible without compromising the guest experience.
Gondwana’s choice of Polylactic Acid (PLA) Bio-Plastic Straws reflects our commitment to environmental sustainability. Polylactic Acid (PLA) is an innovative bioplastic derived from renewable sources like corn and sugarcane, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. Unlike traditional plastic straws, which are non-recyclable and contribute to environmental pollution, PLA straws are biodegradable under composting conditions, helping to reduce waste. Additionally, paper straws, while another eco-friendly alternative, often lack durability for bar consumption and may compromise the guest experience.
The PLA straws offer numerous environmental advantages compared to conventional plastics. Utilising PLA straws reduces consumption and dependence on traditional fossil fuels. Unlike petroleum-based plastics, PLA can break down, albeit under industrial composting conditions with higher temperatures and microbial activity. The production of PLA also emits fewer greenhouse gases and is free from harmful chemicals like BPA, that has been negatively associated with health and food safety concerns.
Aligned with our Sustainability Philosophy, Gondwana encourages the adoption of PLA bio-plastic straws across its lodges as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plastic straws. This initiative fuels our mission to reduce and ultimately eliminate single-use plastic waste and promote responsible waste management at Gondwana lodges.
This initiative aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by supporting SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, through reducing plastic waste; SDG 13: Climate Action, by lowering reliance on fossil fuel-based plastics; and SDG 15: Life on Land, by helping to protect Namibia’s ecosystems from pollution and degradation.
Collective action aimed at minimising negative impacts on the environment, as simple yet significant as opting for eco-friendly lodging utilities, can help to ensure that Namibia’s beautiful landscapes and their ecological integrity are preserved for present and future generations.
Monique Tredoux
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