Sharing our commitment to sustainability on Hayman Island
Nestled at the northernmost point of Australia’s Whitsunday archipelago, Hayman Island is the nearest Whitsunday Island to the outer reef, with direct access to the Great Barrier Reef. Since we launched in July 2019, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort’s journey has been intrinsically linked to its exquisite surrounds and the safeguarding and protection of these is at the forefront of our leadership team’s sustainability commitment.
During their stay, guests will be taken on a journey of education when it comes to the island’s neighbouring reef ecosystems and will be exclusively supplied with reef-safe sunscreen, namely environmentally-friendly Australian owned We Are Feel Good Inc. products which is a biologically-safer sunscreen alternative. The activation of this initiative is an effort negate the wider effects of toxic sunscreen on the world’s oceans and a result of a myriad of international scientific research projects that detail the long-lasting effects of sunscreen ingredients on the world’s reef ecosystems.
– We Are Feel Good Inc. Sunscreen sold in Grove Boutique & Cafe
Guests will also receive a complimentary, reusable water bottle upon check-in reinforcing the ban on single-use plastics and will be encouraged to refill this during their stay from the multiple still filtered water stations placed conveniently across the resort.
On the topic of this sun-screen initiative, studies have shown that every minute, up to one million plastic bottles are being purchased with only 23% of these being recycled. Whilst people’s individual choices about what they put in our oceans is out of our control, we recognise that we can control what occurs in our extraordinary surrounds and seek to inspire our guests at Hayman Island to do so also. From our ban on single use plastic to our commitment to reef-safe sunscreen, through simple yet strong initiatives we hope to not only protect our sacred local environment, but also educate our visitors and guests on easy sustainable practices.
In addition, the resort has implemented a unique glass-to-sand crusher which will recycle glass bottles for use in the island’s garden and committed to heavily reducing paper usage with the introduction of in-room iPads in lieu of printed compendiums. On the topic of guest rooms and suites, we have installed state-of-the-art in-room technology which will conserve and maximise energy, keeping rooms cool once guests leave for the day by activating automated blind systems and censoring lights accordingly. All initiatives are designed to ensure guests can immerse in Hayman Island’s natural beauty for years to come.
– Glass-to-sand crusher is used in the irrigation of Coconut Grove