Our Commitment to Sustainability

“Ravana Garden was born from a commitment to sustainability, and designed to harmonise with the sustainable policies and procedures that direct and inform every aspect of our operation.”
~ Rasika Perera, Founder. ~

 

Our Sustainable Ethos

What makes Ravana Garden different?

  • We embrace Sustainable Luxury, which in turn gives way to a Guilt-Free Vacation that leaves the tiniest of carbon footprints behind.
  • We have not sacrificed so much as a single tree in the construction of our property.
  • Our organic / semi-organic culinary options are not only made with locally produced and sourced fresh ingredients and are in no way processed.
  • Outdoor private pools & bathtubs, private gardens, and verdant green walls encourage indulgence in the natural environment, re-establishing a connection with nature.
  • Sustainable spa on the beach – mostly made from recycled materials.
  • Pampering at its best, through customized service offerings to suit individual requirements.
  • Sustainable gifts & souvenirs.
  • Digitization of typically manual operations, by way of e-billing and in-suite tablets for instance.
  • We strengthen personal relationships with loved ones through memorable experiences.

Habitat Protection

Preserving and protecting Sri Lanka’s natural beauty

Plans to protect our beautiful sand dunes were built into our landscaping and architecture design, to prevent wind and water the coastline. We have successfully assisted with the preservation of several important medicinal plants and native animal species along the Sri Lankan coast, including one of the jewels in the island’s crown; the local nesting turtles that come to shore to lay eggs.

Our lighting fixtures and fittings are chosen and designed to minimize the light pollution that can disrupt the natural behaviour of local nocturnal animal species, and pervious paving is used to maximise surface drainage and reduce heat reflection. Small, important touches like these can be seen throughout the hotel and grounds, and help to ensure our position as the best sustainable hotel Sri Lanka boasts to date.

Architecture: Luxury in harmony with nature

Luxury that doesn’t harm the planet

Our buildings were designed with sustainability locked in, with plenty of well-situated windows to admit natural light and enable our guests to enjoy stunning views from the comfort of their own suites.

Our open lounge restaurant, private outdoor bathtubs, and plunge pools, library and are the jewels of our sustainability crown, promoting energy conservation and helping to re-establish that feeling of connectivity with nature that we all need to grow and thrive. Sustainable structural materials and fixtures were integrated into every building as standard; such as locally harvested “pun,” woven reed, and rattan roof sealing.

Food: Local, sustainable, and organic

Eat fresh organic produce from our own garden

We have designed, created and maintained a vibrant, thriving organic herb and vegetable garden on-site here at Ravana Garden, where we grow organic produce to serve within the resort’s restaurant and dining experiences. Fertilized with nothing other than natural organic compost that is eco-friendly and biodegradable, our growing methods enable us to keep our on-site dining experience low-impact and sustainable, which naturally compliments the preferences of our guests’ dining requirements.

Our guests are invited to experience our organic garden concept during their stay with us, and to find out more about how we manage the landscape and our agricultural endeavors without harming the land, which makes Ravana Garden one of the most eco-friendly hotels in Sri Lanka.

The Eco Lifestyle

Sustainability is more than concept; it’s a lifestyle

We are committed to using renewable energy and providing organic dining options, as well as incorporating eco-friendly food production and preparation principles too.< Our operation works on paperless principles where possible, extending to the replacement of in-suite menus, telephone directories and notepads with an easy-to-use electronic tablet. This unique integration of modern technology to enhance an eco-friendly sustainable lifestyle is just one example of our commitment to the environment, and to leading by example when it comes to pushing the sustainable luxury ethos forwards. We encourage our guests to venture out of their rooms and enjoy the naturally unpolluted coastal air, helping to facilitate a healthier lifestyle. Simply spending time near the sea can help to relax and improve your sleep patterns, soothe and ease the body and mind, and even improve your skin!

Business eCards

Pioneering paper-free business cards to reduce waste

At Ravana Garden, we strongly believe in the utilisation of eco-friendly modern technology to support our vision of a sustainable future for the world. We have instigated a policy of using only business eCards, and are delighted to be pioneers of the Business eCard Movement. This helps to prevent the annual deforestation of approximately six million trees that are felled each year to produce business cards.

The environmental impact of this needless deforestation and the disposal of unwanted business cards have a huge and entirely preventable environmental impact, which the Business eCard Movement seeks to prevent.

We invite all of our guests to join us as an active part in this venture, and support our virtual networking endeavour; just another forward-thinking green initiative implemented right here at Ravana Garden.

Natural Power

Renewable energy that won’t cost the earth

Ravana Garden incorporates thoughtfully planned natural lighting to reduce energy use. Our external lighting fitments are sympathetically designed to prevent unnecessary light pollution that can disrupt nocturnal fauna.

Our interior lighting is provided by energy-efficient CFL and LED lamps, and we fully support the “4R” concept of waste management by inviting guests to request linen changes only when required.

Sourcing and Production

Our sustainable sourcing and production ethos

Our intent is to incorporate sustainability into every facet of our operation. Locally sourced sustainable materials such as the “pan” woven reed and rattan for our room fittings enabled our contractors to do more with less, minimising our ecological impact and carbon footprint.

We work with local farmers and suppliers to provide the fresh, top quality ingredients we use in our kitchens, which supplement the produce we grow in our own extensive gardens. Most of our partner farmers are organic farming practitioners, licenced by the appropriate authorities. We always buy locally where possible, both to reinforce our eco-friendly ethos and to support the local community.

We have strict policies in place on the use of plastic, and encourage the use of reusable and biodegradable materials wherever possible. We also ensure that our external suppliers understand and respect our eco-hotel ethos, and join us in our drive towards sustainability.

Recycling and Waste

Reduce, reuse and recycle: The keys to sustainability

We carefully sort and check all of our waste to ensure that it is properly sorted for composting or recycling where possible, to minimise waste and reduce the amount of goods disposed of in landfills.

We have eliminated the use of plastic water bottles in favour of reusable, recyclable glass alternatives and we are committed to reducing packaging as much as possible to further ensure that Ravana Garden produces minimal waste over the course of its operation.

Our entire operation works on paperless principles where possible, extending to the replacement of in-suite menus, eBilling, telephone directories and notepads with an easy-to-use electronic tablet. This unique integration of modern technology to enhance an eco-friendly sustainable lifestyle is just one example of our commitment to the environment, and to leading by example when it comes to pushing the sustainable luxury ethos forwards.

Employment and Training

Fairly-paid opportunities for local people

Being part of our local community and supporting this community wherever possible is very important to us, and helps to support our eco-tourism initiative. We chose fairly-paid local labour to assist with construction, and sourced our raw materials locally too, after evaluating the sustainability and quality of our chosen options.

We have recruited, trained and empowered local people to assist with the day-to-day operation of Ravana Garden itself, and wherever possible our leadership positions are filled internally. Our Workplace Wellness Policy for employees is designed to ensure that all of our team are happy, productive, and vitally, have access to comprehensive health insurance.

Shared Memories

The ultimate sustainable social experience

We made a conscious decision not to place televisions in our guest suites, in order to encourage our guests to venture out into our vibrant yet relaxing grounds and enjoy all that Ravana Garden has to offer. Our indulgent library, nature walks, pool and outdoor bathtubs or sea bath, as well as private beach dining and lake picnics help our guests to spend quality time with their friends or loved ones enjoying unforgettable experiences together. This helps to create shared bonds for life, something that is all too often neglected in today’s digitally-connected world.

All of this combined, plus all of the little touches you will notice during your stay with us, makes Ravana Garden the best sustainable luxury hotel in Sri Lanka.

 
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