At Mahali Maalum Barefoot Lodge, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword we use to impress others. It’s part of our daily routine. It’s something we’re deeply passionate about, and it’s woven into every corner of our lodge.
One of our favourite times of the day? The hour we spend on the beach, cleaning up. Every single morning, we head down to the shoreline with our bags, ready to pick up the bits and pieces left behind by the tide. You’d be amazed at how much plastic can wash up overnight; from plastic bottles and caps, to used nappies and broken shoes. But with each piece we pick up, we know we’re doing our bit to protect and clean this stretch of beautiful coastline we’re lucky enough to call home.
We’re always on the lookout for ways to reduce our environmental footprint, so we make sure that every plastic bottle we collect gets a second life. Every day, we separate the plastic bottles which can be used and pack them in large canvas bags. When we collected about 10-12 large bags, we take them to the recycling point in our local village. From there they’ll be picked up, properly sorted and reused. It’s a small but important part of our commitment to reducing waste.
But the journey doesn’t stop there. Approximately every six weeks, we load up the collected glass bottles and take them all the way to Bagamoyo, where there’s a glass recycling collection point. We’re proud to know that these bottles will be turned into something useful, rather than ending up in a landfill.
In our efforts to reduce plastic use, we’ve made the choice to only buy and use recyclable glass bottles for beer and soda. It’s a small change that makes a big difference. We’ve also found a way to reduce plastic bottle waste in our rooms. Instead of using single-use plastic bottles, we buy large refillable bottles of drinking water and then pour them into reusable glass recycled bottles for our guests. This helps cut down on plastic waste and ensures that our guests always have clean, fresh drinking water available in an eco-friendly way.
Our commitment to sustainability doesn’t just stop at waste management. We’re also working hard to enrich the soil that sustains our herb plants, which help us bring fresh flavours to the meals we serve. In the lodge’s kitchen, we compost all of our organic scraps. Instead of throwing them away, we let nature do its work, turning scraps into rich, fertile compost that goes back into our gardens, making our herbs thrive.
These little daily rituals aren’t just part of our routine; they’re a reflection of our values. At Mahali Maalum, sustainability isn’t just about cutting back on waste, it’s about thinking ahead, being mindful of the resources we use, and leaving a positive impact on the environment around us.
We invite you to join us on this journey… To think about the small changes you can make in your daily life, whether you’re traveling or at home. Every little bit counts, and together, we can make a world of difference.
We’d love to hear from you!
- How do you reduce your environmental footprint when you travel? Please share your ideas with us. We’re always looking for new ways to make a positive impact.
- What small sustainability habits do you incorporate into your daily life that we could also try here at the lodge?