Umweltschutz

Respect for our environment has been one of the main pillars of our business since the beginning of The Yeatman project.

Many features were incorporated into the design and operation of The Yeatman to help reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint.

Gardens

Prior to construction of The Yeatman, there was no demolition on site as the land was not in use and there were no pre-existing buildings. The Yeatman was designed and built to blend with its environment, using local materials (such as granite) and an architectural style which have allowed it to merge unobtrusively with the historic area and hillside landscape of the Port wine lodges.

Three and a half acres (1.4 hectares) of gardens were created, providing a refuge for migratory birds as well as 6500 types of herbaceous plants, 6100 types of shrubs and 22 different types of trees, chosen for their historic and sustainable value, including a 1400 year old olive tree, a symbol of millennial renovation. Several hundred plants were chosen for their medicinal and therapeutic properties. The gardens, which did not exist prior to building The Yeatman, except for a handful of trees, provide a much-needed green area and natural habitat in the city.

Energy

80 thermal solar panels harness the sun’s solar power to provide enough hot water for hotel use, including the indoor pool heating system – amounting to a yearly average of 102.000Kwh.

Energy saving lighting is used throughout the hotel including LED lights, where possible, and lighting areas are controlled by presence detectors.

Water Conservation

Rain harvesting and water wells on the land, supply enough water for sanitary use and garden irrigation, thus saving on local water supplies which would otherwise need to be provided by the local water authority. (This represents a saving or re-usage of 210,000m3 of water in the last 10 years of our existence).

Waste Reduction and Disposal

Waste reduction and separation is an important environmental initiative at The Yeatman.

A strict separation of rubbish is carried out in all hotel departments, that includes glass, metal, plastic and paper and their subsequent collection. Office printing has been reduced to a minimum in all departments.

Industrial equipment produces compost from recycled waste from the kitchen and grass mowed from the lawns, which is then used as fertiliser in the gardens. This cycle ensures The Yeatman’s self-sustainability with regard to the existing flora.

Additional Sustainable Initiatives

A purification system produces purified drinking water from the mains supply for use in many of the hotel outlets, reducing emissions created by the transport of bottled water and the recycling of glass.

Guests are informed of sustainable initiatives within the hotel and the contribution that they can make, for example, in helping to separate rubbish and save on their water usage in bathrooms and in the need for washing sheets and towels.

The Yeatman also enforces the following additional environmental measures:

TESLA chargers in the carpark – encouraging the use of electric cars;
Wooden coffee spoons in the staff vending machines (replacing plastic spoons);
The abolition of plastic straws in all F&B outlets;
Daily water, electricity and gas consumption control to guarantee efficiency and prevent leaks;
Waste management and minimisation;
Bedrooms and offices have waste separation bins to promote adequate waste disposal and recycling;
Plenty of natural light which helps save electricity in artificial lighting, in both front and back areas of the Hotel;
Bedroom windows have fixtures whereby when opened, the air conditioning cuts out immediately;
Electricity metres are installed in the Kitchens and Laundry to track consumption;
Signs for staff and guests are placed next to light switches and kitchen and laundry equipment to help reduce energy consumption by turning off lights when not in use and by using machinery at full capacity only, etc.;
Water flow regulators are used in the Kitchen and Bathrooms taps and showers to save water;
The kitchens use predominantly seasonal, fresh produce, the majority of which is sourced locally;
There is a focus on sustainably sourced products and healthier cuisine - less meat, fat and salt for example as well as vegetarian options;
Caudalie signature spa treatments and products offer gentle skincare that is rich in anti-oxidants from the grape and vine and free of chemicals and parabens;
Naturally purified and refillable, complimentary water is offered in bedrooms and at meetings.