Press Releases

FANCOURT RECEIVES GREEN CERTIFICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Fancourt was awarded its first ‘green’ certification by GreenStaySA, achieving an
admirable 73% grading to receive four out of five ‘green leaves’. This prestigious
accolade affirms Fancourt’s dedication to responsible Environmental Business
Practice, and its commitment to improving performance in terms of a ‘green’
approach in all key spheres of the business operation.
GreenStaySA sets out to develop sustainable tourism, and is an initiative of the
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, and the Tourism Grading
Council. It provides both an information resource that supports the progress
towards improved environmental performance for the accommodation sector,
and guidance to properties who wish to improve their environmental footprint in
an ecologically responsible manner.
Driven by Tana Scott (Fancourt Safety, Health, Environment and Quality
manager) Fancourt has adopted a ‘green’ approach to all aspects of the business
operation. It has established an Environmental Management System to improve
its performance, with recycling as the first and key focus area implemented to
lessen its footprint. Other focus areas include management of invasive alien
vegetation species; waste, water and electricity management, as well as
investigating the installation of a biogas system, which would process Fancourt’s
sewage, food waste and organic waste, while producing energy and reusable
water.
Over the last couple of years, Fancourt has cleared more than 30 hectares of
alien vegetation on the 613 hectare estate, and large areas are being
rehabilitated back to a more indigenous environment in the war against the
encroaching alien vegetation - recognised as one of the single biggest threats to
biodiversity in the Western Cape.

Accomplished through successful partnerships, innovative environmental ideas
have been introduced as part of the latest developments taking place on the
Fancourt estate. These include incorporating green initiatives right from
construction stage, using environmentally friendly bricks for building purposes,
and special glazing to reduce temperature loss. It also extends to insulating
ceilings and water pipes, using paints with a low VOC (Volatile Organic
Compound) where possible, and energy efficient equipment with LED or energy
saving light bulbs throughout.
The exclusive new Fancourt Manor House provides an excellent opportunity for
Fancourt to focus on the implementation of its ‘green’ strategy. The 140-year old
building is currently being converted into a luxurious 18-room boutique hotel (to
open in December 2010). It will be equipped with key card holders to cut power
when clients leave their bedrooms, as well as dual flush toilets and low-flow
shower heads regulated to utilize only about 50% of the regular hotel water
usage. Solar heating will be installed for the swimming pool, hot water cylinders
will be insulated and two water tanks will be installed to catch rain water run-off
from the Manor House roof for use on the gardens and swimming pool.
Numerous other joint initiatives and many smaller actions are also employed by
Fancourt on an ongoing basis, such as sorting and recycling of all waste, and
using biodegradable cleaning products and micro-organisms in the kitchen fat
traps. The outcome of this has been remarkable with an impressive 80%
recycling figure for all waste generated, and Fancourt’s energy consumption
having been reduced by approximately 10% over the last two years.
Commenting on the four green leaf rating, Tana Scott says: ‘Fancourt wants to
be recognised as a green resort and a market leader. Our management, staff
and guests alike are becoming much more environmentally aware, which is
essential if the planet’s ecosystems are to continue to function and support life as
we currently know it.’
Voted Africa’s Leading Golf Resort at the 2009 World Travel Awards, Fancourt is
dependent on its natural beauty and location along the scenic Garden Route for
its status as a major tourist attraction, and is therefore 100% committed to
preserving its own, and the surrounding natural habitat and eco-system.