It's estimated that the global hotel industry accounts for 1% of global emissions. Energy consumption, proliferation of single use plastics, and water consumption are just a few of the offending behaviors.
As a socially responsible organization that owns and operates 5 bustling properties on beautiful Nantucket, White Elephant Resorts has made a commitment to sustainability that extends across all of our properties. We believe that it's our responsibility to embrace technology as a means of conservation for our beautiful island and our planet.
Single-Use Plastics – Toiletries + Water Bottles Get a Revamp
In June of 2020, Nantucket passed a law banning single-use plastics from being sold and used, commercially. Well in advance of that ban, White Elephant Resorts had been preparing to implement the elimination of single-use toiletries – most notably, the use of soap, shampoo, and conditioner dispensers in our showers. All properties now feature L'Occitane en Provence dispensers which allow our guests the luxury of enjoying premium French toiletries while significantly minimizing our contribution to plastic waste.
Another important implementation in our sustainability commitment, we've eliminated the usage of plastic water bottles and instead offer all of our guests aluminum, refillable water bottles. These bottles are available in each hotel room and we encourage guests to re-use them throughout their time on island. To make refilling easy, each of our properties has a centrally located water bottle filling station so that our guests can have unlimited and complimentary access to filtered, ice cold water. To date, White Elephant Resorts properties have saved over 15,650 single-use plastic water bottles, and counting .
Oyster Shell Recycling - Be Careful Where you Chuck Your Shucks
For centuries, the people of Nantucket have been dependent on the ocean for food and our livelihood. We believe strongly that it is our responsibility to care for the waters surrounding Nantucket and Cape Cod. One of our exciting programs for ocean conservation revolves around a Nantucket delicacy.
Our briney Nantucket oysters are both a culinary staple on island and an important, limited resource that must be protected. These tasty bivalve mollusks actually grow on the shells of other oysters. The shells have become a limited resource because of decades of improper disposal in landfills or infrastructure.
In 2014, the Natural Resources Department developed a shell recycling program for both oyster and clam shells. Local restaurants, bars, and events are asked to recycle their empty oyster and clam shells for replacement in the water where baby oysters will settle and complete their life cycle.
Brant Point Grill at the White Elephant, TOPPER'S at the Wauwinet, and the Tap Room at Jared Coffin House are all proud participants in the Nantucket Oyster Recycling Program. It's estimated that to date, over 200,000 pounds of oyster and quahog shells have been recycled and reintroduced to the oceans.
Bamboo To-Go Packaging
As our on-premise restaurants, Brant Point Grill at the White Elephant and TOPPER'S at the Wauwinet, experienced a demand in food to go, we again examined our contribution to single use and disposable packaging waste. Both restaurants now exclusively offer food to go in fully recyclable, biodegradable and compostable bamboo food containers. Bamboo is often lauded as the world's most renewable material and the packaging we've selected is strong and durable – ensuring safe transport for your delicious meals.
Commitment for the Future
As more alternatives and green technologies become commercially available, the White Elephant Resorts team will continue to adopt solutions to help reduce our carbon footprint while you enjoy your unforgettable Nantucket experience.
If you have any questions or thoughts on how we can continue our sustainability commitment, we encourage you to contact us at inquiries@whiteelephantresorts.com