Keys to sustainability to raise awareness among the little ones

Many years have passed since the famous environmental manifesto 50 Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth was published by the Earthworks Group. Its more than 5 million copies sold made it a reference point for a wave of concern about the state of the planet that was already beginning to take hold in the 1990s. The key was very simple: raise awareness among children to ensure a sustainable future.

The panorama has evolved a lot since then... we now know that global warming is a reality, that the war against plastics has only just begun, that zero waste alternatives are gaining more and more followers and that sustainable tourism is not just a trend, but a real necessity in the sector .

In its commitment to sustainability since its opening, the Hotel GF Victoria*****GL has made great strides in this regard, leading the way in the efficient management of resources through facilities and services that maintain a balance between environmental respect and well-being for guests. Likewise, as a family hotel, we are concerned about addressing this issue from all fronts, either through our options for active holidays or with the workshops we run to encourage recycling among children. As efforts to respect the environment must never cease, we would like to offer you some updated tips so that your children can collaborate in this task:

Reuse, always the best choice

Water bottles, grocery bags, napkins… as we understand our daily lives, it is completely normal to generate more waste than recommended. Why not opt for reusable alternatives? There are models of aluminum bottles and other materials on the market with fun designs, perfect for keeping your children hydrated and helping the environment.

Small gestures to achieve energy savings

Turning off the lights when you are not using them, turning off the tap while you brush your teeth, not keeping the fridge open for long periods of time... There are many gestures that can help you save not only energy, but also money on your bills.

Local and seasonal consumption

The best way to obtain quality and be respectful of the environment is to consume local and seasonal products. At the Donaire restaurant, for example, we focus on Canarian products because it is the most efficient way to support the economy of the island's producers . Teach your children to know the fruits and vegetables that are obtained in each season, let them learn to wait for chestnuts in autumn or cherries in spring, buy without unnecessary plastics and discover the great benefits that real food offers for your health.

Packaging, always in the yellow container

This should be a premise that accompanies your children for life. Recycling is now more important and necessary than ever, so we must create a whole routine around the way we manage waste. Packaging in yellow, glass in green and cardboard in blue should be the mantra they repeat throughout their lives. What's more, if you have the opportunity and want to choose to have your own ecological garden, we invite you to compost organic waste to reduce expenses even more.

Don't generate waste if you can avoid it

GF Hotels has set itself the goal of eliminating all single-use plastics by 2020. Of course, eliminating waste is a task in which we must all collaborate, especially when there are so many alternatives available: bamboo straws, reusable coffee capsules, cloth bags, biodegradable diapers… The options are endless and, with the right information, you will see how the zero waste philosophy is possible.

For its part, GF Hoteles has updated its Strategic Sustainability Plan for the next two years. Among the objectives contemplated is the elimination of all single-use plastics and, to achieve this, the Fedola Group chain has launched its #GFSostenible campaign , carrying out joint actions in all its hotels. Among them, the gradual replacement of plastic bottles with aluminium ones stands out, both for guests and employees.

Take extreme precautions on beaches and natural environments

The natural landscapes that Tenerife offers are a true spectacle for the senses, which is why many of our guests are encouraged to discover them during their stay on the island. A forgotten plastic toy, a sandwich wrapper or a can can cause incalculable environmental damage , so it is important that you encourage children to check everything carefully before leaving the beach or any other natural space. Try to interfere as little as possible with the environment so that we can all enjoy it, so do not use shampoos that can contaminate the water and respect the vegetation and fauna of the area. Sustainable tourism is possible and it is in our hands to make it a reality.