Sustainability
Our commitment
Sustainability is not what we do, but who we are.
Our concern to develop our activity based on attitudes that minimize the resulting impact of our activity, led us to sustainable development acting on 3 aspects:
environmental sustainability, social sustainability and economic sustainability.
Activities with our Sustainability Manager:
Water route
Get your feet wet
Walk & Talk with Green Manager
Volcanic Coffee
Visit to the Furnas Environmental Interpretation Centre
Visit to the Microbial Observatory of the Azores
Visit to the Garden (Bug Hotel, Birds & Bats House, Bees) with the kids
Sustainability practices
Geothermal
It is used for heating domestic hot water (DHW). The thermal water captured from the “Quenturas” spring is used in the thermal pools. The catchment temperature is 59°C. In order to reduce the temperature of the thermal waters to around 30ºC, energy is extracted through plate exchangers, which is used to heat the DHW.
Towel and sheet change program
In the rooms we have a program that promotes the reduction of changing towels and sheets, thus reducing the consumption of water and electricity.
Solidarity pet shop
Petshop Solidário de São Miguel, was founded by Dagmar Mehlis-Doering, with the aim of raising funds, mainly, for shelters that take care of abandoned animals. In addition to sales, throughout the year we also collect food, accessories and toys for the animals.
Santa Claus is you
Every year around Christmas, Octant Furnas collects food, clothes, toys and sweets from guests and the local community. The collected goods are given to children who live at the Povoação Orphanage.
Textile donation
In 2022 we donated over 2,000 items to a Private Institution of Social Solidarity on the Island of São Miguel through the HOSPES Programme, developed by AHP – Associação da Hotelaria de Portugal. These items that are no longer used by the hotel are still in excellent condition to have a new life with those who need it most.
Recycling is food – Recycling Nespresso
All our Nespresso Coffee capsules are recycled, with the coffee grounds used to produce rice in Alcácer do Sal, which is then donated to the Food Bank
Other practices
An organic permaculture garden
Chemical-free spa treatments, freshly made with organic products
Locally sourced fish and meat for the restaurant
Employment policy with 90% of employees from the local community; with a training programme for employees and hires based on heart, attitude and desire to learn
Visits that benefit the local community, including Interpretive Centres, visits to natural heritage, cultural tourism
Regional clean-up days
Responsible purchasing policy that favours local business owners (Azores Brand)
Organic restaurant concept from garden to table, menu with seasonal products
Recycling programme with the municipality
Development of a composting centre on the property
In development, creation of a Barefoot Walk at the Hotel - Feel the earth beneath your feet
Treatment of our waste water before it is returned to nature
Energy and water saving programmes with regular monitoring
Biodegradable products used in laundry and cleaning
Organic products used for fumigation
Organic and homemade insect repellents
Hotel reforestation programme
Active code of ethics programme
No exploitation of children or social discrimination
Encouraging employees to carry out social support, which provides annual aid to chosen institutions.
As part of an educational project, we donated 2,900 discontinued kitchen utensils to a vocational school here on the island.