The Amsterdam Manor invited local dignitaries and the media, last week, for an event commemorating a quarter century of dedication to sustainability, including 10 years as an EarthCheck Master Certified resort.
The journey to sustainability success required incredible efforts which were creatively showcased by the resort on its pool deck, as conceived with the help of Gina Maduro, a woman of great imagination and flair.
Amsterdam Manor embarked on its sustainability quest with GreenGlobe. At the time, three smaller local boutique resorts pledged their adherence to green practices, ahead of all others. Over time, Amsterdam Manor opted to transition to EarthCheck solutions, to help deliver a better sustainable travel experience to guests from around the globe.
EarthCheck, is the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for sustainable travel and tourism, since 1987. The certification authority helps businesses, communities and governments maintain sustainable, clean, safe, and prosperous destinations for travelers to visit, live, work and play.
Last week, Amsterdam Manor had its accomplishments in display: The resort cracked down on its water consumption by implementing water-saving initiatives, such as repurposing laundry gray water for irrigation. It has successfully reduced its overall water usage by 20%.
Electric consumption was reduced by 21%, by focusing on energy-efficiency and cutting-edge technology such as VRF – a power distribution solution, the lowers usage.
By adding an electric golf cart to the resort’s fleet, it has successfully reduced its gas usage by 21% and by using solar water heaters, it reduced the fuel usage by 19%.
As far as waste, by partnering with local NGOs, the resort managed to recycle 554kg of waste and divert 3,059kg food waste from landfill, in 2022-23.
Additionally, the Amsterdam Manor is committed to supporting local organizations such as Ban Duna Man Pa Cria Nos Muchanan, the Autism Foundation, the Red Cross and more, by contributing funds towards their impactful work.
Congratulations to owner Jurgen Van Schaijk and his dynamic team, thanks for your hospitality and long-term vision, for having embarked on an environmental quest, long before it became so obviously important.
As an island, Aruba never learned to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, we all function as if there is no tomorrow, living for today, not letting worries about the future weigh us down. That happy go lucky attitude caused Aruba to overstretch its resources beyond sustainable levels, as we exceeded our carrying capacity in terms of our ability to support a continued growth of tourism and population.
Minister Arends, Minister of Integrity, Nature, Transport and Elderly Care, was a guest at the event at Amsterdam Manor, and toured the displays outlining the resort’s achievements in sustainability.
Over the weekend a friend drew my attention to an outstanding quote by the minister:
“Liderazgo berdadero ta ora nos para hunto pa lo ta corecto y pa interes general. Nos no ta trahando pa e proximo eleccion, nos ta trahando pa e proximo generacion.”
True leadership, he said, is standing together for what is right, and for the general interest. We are not working towards the next elections; we are working for the next generation.
What a fantastic quote.
Of all our local politicians, Minister Arends is the only one addressing the real issues, making changes in trash management, transport, with his taxi reform, the equal rights amendment, his upcoming ATV/UTV legislation, his support of the spay & neuter campaigns, he is not afraid to take on unpopular issues, in a sincere effort to right the many wrongs we are experiencing.
While other politicians kowtow to voters, not making waves, protecting the status quo, Minister Arends forges ahead, with his team, to see what can be done for our beloved overrun, over-exploited spec of coral in the middle of the ocean.
I am hereby committing ahead of the 2025 elections, you have my vote, you’re not perfect, but on our populist landscape you are an exceptional shining star. Keep going.
