Club Med Honored for Green Programs

Club Med

recently received the

Green Globe

certification for their resorts Punta Cana,

Dominican Republic

and Turkoise, Turks & Caicos resorts as well as the EarthCheck Silver certification for

Ixtapa Pacific

,

Mexico

.

Since 2008, Club Med reports it has been dedicated to promoting sustainability throughout their resorts, from launching a “Green Day” once a week to enabling energy-saving actions. The Cancun Yucatan, Mexico and Columbus Isle, Bahamas resorts have already received their EarthCheck Silver certifications.

Club Med says it has implemented common environmentally friendly actions from energy efficient lighting and electric golf carts, to using recycled water for irrigation and a towel and linen reuse program. From a sustainability standpoint, Club Med purchases recycled materials and biodegradable products and sells eco-bags on-site, where one dollar of each purchase is donated to a local school or organization. Each resort also hosts a “Green Day” once a week to raise awareness among the guests about the importance of eco-friendly initiatives.

At Club Med Turkoise, a new program has been implemented where guests and staff can donate clothes, books and other goods at the end of their stay at the resort. These goods are then donated to local communities for people who can make good use of them such as the Provo Children’s Home for abused children. Club Med Turkoise is also the only resort on the island to buy locally produced table wine and bottles that are reused by their supplier, thus reducing transport-related emissions and promoting local jobs.

Club Med Punta Cana is an almost zero waste facility, which means practically everything is sent to recycling, including used cooking oil that is turned into biodiesel. The resort also collaborates with the Punta Cana Ecological Foundation to restore the coral reef and contribute to the preservation of endangered species indigenous to the area. Similar to the Turkoise resort, Punta Cana also supports local schools and organizations by donating goods from resort staff and guests.

The Green Globe and EarthCheck certifications establish Club Med as the best in environmental responsibility with their sustainable operations and management of travel and tourism, Club Med says.

Visit www.clubmed.us.