Six Senses, Seychelles

Ecorating: 4.0

This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.

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SUSTAINABILITY
In keeping with the commitment of the group, Six Senses Zil Pasyon has sustainability built into the design. The theme of this paradise island is restoration, supporting endangered ecosystems by ridding the island of invasive species and creating genuine conservation value as well as propagation of rare local plants. The facility operates its own reverse osmosis plant and water refinery that produces high quality drinking water without the use of plastic bottles. A chicken farm and an organic garden also support the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency in food and drink on the island, drastically reducing environmental impact.

ENVIRONMENT

To support the environmental and social sustainability work, guidelines and procedures have been developed in line with Six Senses standards. These guidelines and procedures are renewed at least annually to ensure that one is always current in its strategies. Efforts are made to improve as much as possible in Seychelles international legal environmental requirements, such as environment, public and health and safety, hygiene and labor legislation. To the extent possible and practicable, preference shall be given to the employment of people living in the Seychelles, local products and services that do not adversely affect the facility’s operational activities, viability and environmental and social consequences.

FLORA & FAUNA

The landscape concept for the hotel is habitat restoration. The authentic environment is supported with only plants, shrubs and trees indigenous or endemic to the Seychelles. This distinguishes Six Senses Zil Pasyon from all the other “artificial” landscapes found in other existing hotels in the Seychelles. To illustrate the comparison, no exotic flowers will be imported on Félicité Island even though this is the fastest and easiest way when opening a resort. Starting from the very first step, the landscaping team had collected seeds from other islands in the Seychelles. In this way, they managed to reintroduce many native and endemic species to Félicité.

As a result of 8 years of habitat restoration, the biodiversity of Félicité Island is now significantly more rich and varied, and guests can experience true endemic species of trees and plants. The habitats created in this process are rich and productive, allowing us to reintroduce the various endemic birds that have long since disappeared from Félicité as their original habitats degraded and disappeared. Examples of newly introduced birds are: seychelles shama, seychelles paradise monarch, seychelles whiteye, seychelles warbler, seychellfody. As coastal habitats, it is expected that seabirds will once again begin to return on a larger scale to live at Félicité, eg. the charismatic Fairy Tern, the White-tailed Tropic, the Wedge-tailed Tern. Félicité has quickly become the emerging “ecological jewel” of the Seychelles.

ENERGY SAVING
Producing energy usually creates pollution and is the biggest cause of global warming. At Six Senses Zil Pasyon, several steps have been taken to reduce energy use and use renewable energy.

Solar cells/solar energy
Solar energy is converted into DC power for use across the island.

Solar water heater
Solar energy is used to heat water for guests’ villas and staff accommodation.

Irrigation
Gray water is treated on Félicité Island, in a special facility for use in the island’s irrigation system.

Air conditioning
All ACs have a low environmental impact through the choice of refrigerant.

Cogeneration hot water production
Combined heat and power (CHP) technology uses heat produced by electric generators to create hot water, achieving a ninety percent efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.

WASH MANAGEMENT

Anyone who has spent some time abroad is probably dismayed by the apparent lack of waste sorting and recycling in the Seychelles. Seychelles produces a lot of waste per capita, but because the population is small, the total amounts have not normally been enough to make exports economically viable, with a few exceptions. The costs of transporting waste to recycling markets abroad are high, in addition to the carbon emissions from transport and the recycling process that must be factored in.

When it comes to the three R’s of REDUCE, RE-USE, and RECYCLE, the first option: REDUCE is always the best option, and you can do this by buying only what you need, avoiding overpacking and plastic bags, with a compost for to remove organics from the waste, etc. Seychelles currently lacks the ability to separate, collect and recycle or reuse materials generated by households and businesses. Most resources and items that can be recycled or composted are often treated as waste and transported from the resorts and local islands to landfill. As the country develops, it seems inevitable that more consumer goods will become available, leading to island