Sustainability

Our COMMITMENT

Sustainability is not what we do, but who we are.

Our concern to develop our activity based on attitudes that minimize the resulting impact
of our activity, led us to sustainable development acting on 3 aspects:
environmental sustainability, social sustainability and economic sustainability.

Activities with our Sustainability Manager:
Water route
Get your feet wet
Walk & Talk with Green Manager
Volcanic Coffee
Visit to the Furnas Environmental Interpretation Centre
Visit to the Microbial Observatory of the Azores
Visit to the Garden (Bug Hotel, Birds & Bats House, Bees) with the kids

Sustainability PRATICS

geothermal

It is used for heating domestic hot water (DHW). The thermal water captured from the “Quenturas” spring is used in the thermal pools. The catchment temperature is 59°C. In order to reduce the temperature of the thermal waters to around 30ºC, energy is extracted through plate exchangers, which is used to heat the DHW.

Towel and sheet change program

In the rooms we have a program that promotes the reduction of changing towels and sheets, thus reducing the consumption of water and electricity.

solidarity pet shop

Petshop Solidário de São Miguel, was founded by Dagmar Mehlis-Doering, with the aim of raising funds, mainly, for shelters that take care of abandoned animals. In addition to sales, throughout the year we also collect food, accessories and toys for the animals.

textile donation

In 2022 we donated over 2,000 items to a Private Institution of Social Solidarity on the Island of São Miguel through the HOSPES Programme, developed by AHP – Associação da Hotelaria de Portugal. These items that are no longer used by the hotel are still in excellent condition to have a new life with those who need it most.

Santa Claus is you

Every year around Christmas, Octant Furnas collects food, clothes, toys and sweets from guests and the local community. The collected goods are given to children who live at the Povoação Orphanage.

Recycling is food – Recycling Nespresso

All our Nespresso Coffee capsules are recycled, with the coffee grounds used to produce rice in Alcácer do Sal, which is then donated to the Food Bank.

Other practices

An organic permaculture garden

Chemical-free spa treatments, freshly made with organic products

Locally sourced fish and meat for the restaurant

Employment policy with 90% of employees from the local community; with a training programme for employees and hires based on heart, attitude and desire to learn

Visits that benefit the local community, including Interpretive Centres, visits to natural heritage, cultural tourism

Regional clean-up days

Responsible purchasing policy that favours local business owners (Azores Brand)

Organic restaurant concept from garden to table, menu with seasonal products

Recycling programme with the municipality

Development of a composting centre on the property

In development, creation of a Barefoot Walk at the Hotel - Feel the earth beneath your feet

Treatment of our waste water before it is returned to nature

Energy and water saving programmes with regular monitoring

Biodegradable products used in laundry and cleaning

Organic products used for fumigation

Organic and homemade insect repellents

Hotel reforestation programme

Active code of ethics programme

No exploitation of children or social discrimination

Encouraging employees to carry out social support, which provides annual aid to chosen institutions.

As part of an educational project, we donated 2,900 discontinued kitchen utensils to a vocational school here on the island.

MANAGEMENT Policy

In response to the growing demands of our customers, in an increasingly complex environment, and the challenge of the sustainability of its operations, Octant Furnas adopted a Management System based on the NP EN ISO 9001:2015 and NP EN ISO 14001:2015 references, observing the legal requirements applicable to its activity.

The development, implementation and continuous improvement of the Management System is the responsibility of all people in the organization and, in particular, of the Managers in the respective areas of responsibility, under the guidance and leadership of the Administration, which ensures the availability of the necessary resources and assumes the following commitments:

Commitment to you: delivering authentic local experiences.

Commitment to us: To grow in a sustainable way, guiding management towards financial results supported by the quality of services, evaluating the performance of our critical processes, people's learning and development and environmental performance.

Commitment to everyone: Continuously improve, complying with all legal requirements applicable to our activity. Protect the ecosystem by adopting pollution prevention measures and defining objectives to mitigate the impacts of our activities. Safe food.

Certifications

Octant Hotels Furnas has an Integrated Quality and Environment Management System , based on the NP EN ISO 9001:2015 and NP EN ISO 14001:2015 standards, observing the legal requirements applicable to our activity.

The EMAS registration aims to promote the continuous improvement of environmental performance through the assessment and management of environmental impacts. The only hotel in Portugal to have this record.

Octant Furnas is certified by Miosótis Açores - level 3 - in recognition of its implemented good environmental practices.

Octant Furnas has the International Green Key Certificate acquired through the careful analysis of our good sustainability practices, based on three main pillars: social, economic and environmental.

Subscribing to the Booklet is assuming a public commitment to responsible and transparent management, guided by the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and with an eye on the future.

.   

ENVIRONMENTAL Declaration