Green Star Rating Results:
For more information on how these work click here
Overall Rating: ★★★★ (4)
Special Achievements:
Green Leaf Environmental Standard by the Wilderness Foundation

Energy Rating: ★★★★ (4)
Staff Comment - We have written procedure and systems in place to reduce electricity and gas usage and reduce our overall carbon footprint. All our staff receives a sustainability induction where they learn more about our environmental practices. We use energy saving light bulbs throughout the lodge and appliances and equipment are purchased with energy saving in mind. We have replaced all our oil heaters with econo heat pads, which run on a very low wattage & surface temperature. All our geysers are fitted with blankets to reduce heat loss. The thermostats are also adjusted with the seasons. When the rooms are not in use, housekeeping staff are trained to switch geysers off. We have a monthly electricity monitoring chart in the kitchen, which helps everyone in keeping a tab on energy expenditure. We have a swimming pool solar blanket which keeps the heat in during the night. Walls & ceilings are insulated with Aerolite, which is produced from a combination of naturally occurring minerals such as silica sand which is a sustainable resource and up to 80% recycled glass. Main guest area has a wrap-around verandah & sufficient ventilation to keep the building cool in summer without air conditioning.

Water Rating: ★★★★ (4)
Staff Comment - All cleaning products used are from Hychem, Nu-science range which dilutes & has no harmful sulphur or chemicals released into the soil. Green info in the rooms recommends washing of towels & sheets only if necessary All staff are made aware of our water saving initiatives at their sustainability induction. Water in the jugs in rooms & tables are fresh from our aquifer, which is 120m (430ft) deep. All our showers are fitted with low flow heads. We have rain water collection tanks at the garage, water from which is used for washing the guest’s vehicles before departure. All the plants in our garden are indigenous & therefore use minimal water. The vegetable & herb garden is watered daily after 4pm to reduce evaporation. Regular checks are done for water leaks in hoses, taps, pipes etc. Repairs are done on site immediately

Disposal Rating: ★★★★ (4)
Staff Comment - All waste separated on site. Wet waste is shared between wormery & local pig farmer down the road. Cardboard & toilet rolls & magazines go to local community school for art projects. Guest amenities are paraben free, are decanted & have no packaging. Staff training on environmental awareness done on a frequent basis. We have recycling bins for staff to separate waste. Paper, cardboard, glass, plastic and tins are all recycled. Printer cartridges, old stationery, soap and candle wax are recycled. Cereal & biscuit boxes, toilet rolls & magazines are taken to the community pre-school for use in their art classes. All staff are made aware of our recycling initiatives at their sustainability induction. When ordering from suppliers, reduced packaging is requested, and it must be of a type than can be recycled or reused - no polystyrene! All garden and kitchen waste is composted in our onsite compost bins. The remainder is fed to our earthworms, which produce vermicompost & plantonic for the vegetable garden. Our neighbouring farmer collects what is left for his pigs to feed on. We have a written waste reduction policy and strict rules in place to keep recyclables, hazardous, sanitary and controlled waste streams separate. Only organic pesticides (garlic & canola oil) & fertilisers (plantonic & vermicompost) are used in the garden. Guest amenities are free of packaging & decanted into glass containers. Monthly roster in place to dose all septic tanks with bio salts.

Eco-Active Rating: ★★★ (3)
Staff Comment - Training done with staff. Fact sheets for guests in rooms. Sheets & towels taken to orphanage when recycled. All our cleaning materials are procured from Hychem, and are environmentally compatible. They are diluted on site with dispensing units to prevent waste & misuse. Other chemicals are stored in a ventilated room at the workshop & staff are trained to use correct dispensing methods & protective gear when working with them.

Protection Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - Battlefield tours take guests through local communities. All supplies are sourced within 100km from the lodge. Where possible products free of preservatives, additives & colourants are purchased. Produce that is in season is purchased. We send all our recyclable articles (toilet rolls, cereal boxes, yoghurt containers, magazines, old brochures) to the pre-school for use in their art classes. When we replace any linen or towels in the lodge, the old ones get taken down to the community for distribution there. Any staff recruitment is done through the local village first. Where possible, we assist the schools with their gardens (cutting of grass) with the help of previous guests, we have built an exceptional jungle gym at the pre-school to assist with motor development skills. This has increased their attendance by 80%! Also with the help of previous guests, we have assisted & sponsored an up and coming young athlete to run in the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town. He came 19th overall – a wonderful achievement for a herdsman!

Contact Details

Name:
Three Trees at Spioenkop
Address:
Rhenosterfontein Farm,
Bergville, 3370
South Africa
Telephone:
+27 (0)36 448 1171
Website:
www.threetreehill.co.za
E-mail:
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