Green Globe Certification is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe Certification is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe is the only certification brand to be an affiliate member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is partly owned by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and a member of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) governing council.
 

At Sugar Ridge Resort, Antigua, the owners, management and staff of the resort believe that we are a gateway for clients to enjoy the diverse offerings of our island, – whether through appreciating the scenic views of the island on a hike, being shuttled to one of our many beautiful beaches, sampling the island culture and cuisine at our top-class restaurants, or just relaxing in one of our hillside suites basking in the glow of a spectacular sunset. This setting provides our guests who desire to truly sample the authentic Antigua in a comfortable way with highly-trained staff ready and committed to delivering the highest quality of service. In truth, the values at the core of the resort embody the importance of having a healthy environment for our guests and staff alike, recognizing that this will sustain our business both for the present as well as for the future.


 

In May 2011 the hotel embarked upon the extensive task of Green Globe Certification, formulated a Green Team and initiated a rigorous training and sensitization programme to obtain by-in from the staff and other stakeholders. Focus was not just in the environmental arena, but also covering social and financial sustainability.
 

We delighted to report that following a detailed audit by Green Globe, the Resort received Green Globe Certification in October 2012.
 

Initiatives already introduced include the installation of more than forty (40) electrical and water sub meters which will give us the opportunity to fine-tune our use of these resources. The hotel has also been quick to recognize the need to recycle as much as possible and have already collected approximately 150lbs of plastic bottles over a four-week period.  For the year of 2012, we have collected a total of 325 lbs of aluminum cans, 1572 lbs of steel cans, 1390 lbs of mixed plastics and 152 lbs of PET plastics. 
 

As part of the Green initiative, the hotel is developing signature activities that will take place in and around the community, such as beach clean-ups, volunteering with Non-Profit Organizations, providing internships for students from our Hospitality Training School as well as conducting educational talks in schools in the area. The first such activity took place on Sunday June 26^th 2011 where members of the Green Team joined the staff of the Hotels Aveda Concept Spa in celebrating Earth Month. One of the activities of the day was a Volunteer Beach Clean-up at Pelican Isles in Crabbe Hill. The endeavour was supported by members of the Hospitality Training Institute as well as the Purple Dragon Karate School.  

 

During the Month of March 2012, some of the member of the Hotel’s Green Team Visited ABWREC (ABWREC in conjunction with the Antigua and Barbuda National Solid Waste Authority is a project of the Rotary Club of Antigua Sundown and was opened in 2005) to see how the plant works and volunteer at the “sorting station”. The aim of the venture is to build up a nationwide recycling system which will help to ensure that recycling in the island becomes part of the social order. 

One of the items on the 2012 Green Globe Certification Action Plan at Sugar Ridge was to start a Hotel Garden to include Vegetable, Herbs and Fruits. It was decided to plant the items in stages, with herbs being the easiest thing to grow. In celebration of Earth Day, 2012   we decide that it would be a perfect time to prepare the beds and begin planting. So on Monday 23^rd April, members of the Green Team headed up to the Nursery donned in Sugar Ridge “Clean and Green” T Shirt” gloves and hats to tackle to the task at hand.

As part of Sir Vivian Richards’ birthday celebrations, employees at Sugar Ridge donned Pink T-shirts for the special day. All the T-shirts had been printed with Sir Viv's signature and the hotel raised $4000 in support of Breast Friends - the local Charity highlighting breast cancer awareness, as part of an island wide campaign.   Many of the T shirts were also purchased by hotel guests.

As part of the hotels “Social and Environmental Sustainability Policy” and as a corporate leader in the community, Sugar Ridge pledges to do our part in fostering social and environmental initiatives towards the community and by extension, national development.