Tenikwa has implemented the following environmental and green initiatives
| Green Initiatives – Waste separation | We separate our waste and this is sent to a recycle depot. We encourage our guests to separate waste when visiting Tenikwa through making separation bins visible and available. Our EcoKidz Family Challenge program also highlights issues around pollution and recycling and how this is impacting the wild spaces that animals live in and our environment. We constantly try to increase the overall recyclable waste. |
| Green Initiatives – Recycle food chain | We have a worm farm to process organic waste which in turn is utilised for feeding birds, meerkats, rehab patients, animal enrichment and variety of diet. Our organic waste is collected and fed to our Red Wrigglers who thrive in this environment, multiplying by the thousands and providing a good source of protein for rehabilitation animals. Teabags from our coffee shop is fed to our mealworms. All bio-degradable kitchen waste is utilised in some form for animal feeding or processed into the worm farm. Straw from animal bedding is processed down on a composting heap to produce compost for the lawns and gardens. |
| Green Initiatives – Alien vegetation management | We have implemented an Alien Management Plan which segments our property into zones. The aliens and level of infestation has been identified for each zone, and is being tackled systematically to manage the alien vegetation on our property. Our gardens and landscaping only incorporates indigenous and water-wise plants and vegetation. Our architecture makes extensive use of decorative latte which are produced from alien vegetation. |
| Green Initiatives – solar energy | We have implemented various solar power installations as an alternative form of energy in an effort to curb electricity costs and convert to alternative energy sources. For example, our penguin pool filtration facility is run completely by a solar powered pump which operates on solar panels during sunlight hours. |
| Green Initiatives – LED Conversions | We have replaced conventional light bulbs with energy savers and LED lighting, as well as on-going project to replace fridges and freezers with the latest A++ technology on the market which are extremely energy efficient and eventually our existing fridges and freezers will be replaced with this latest technology. In some areas, we use poly-carbonate roofing to allow natural light to penetrate. Our stove in our coffee shop use LP Gas and we have installed Gas Heaters for hot water which are far more energy efficient than geysers providing instant heat when needed. We measure and monitor our energy consumption and set targets for reduction. |
| Green Initiatives – environmentally friendly products | We source and use environmentally friendly chemicals and cleaning liquids. |
| Green initiatives – office paper re-use | There are many opportunities to re-use paper in the administrative function and we encourage our staff to do so for internal forms and note-taking. Egg boxes and newspaper is used in our animal hospital, utilised for animal enrichment and then it is incorporated into the worm farm to be broken down by the red wrigglers. |
| Green Initiatives – environmentally friendly crafts and souvenirs | We encourages crafters to use recycled materials by selling the products in our curio shop. Our souvenir shop stocks a selection of locally made crafts, some of which are extremely innovative and use recycled materials. |
| Green Initiatives – Rain Water | We are completely dependent on rainwater tanks for drinking water and have recently installed a number of tanks to catch and utilise rainwater. Excess water runs into our dams and these in turn support thriving wild waterfowl and a whole micro habitat. |
| Green Initiatives – responsible purchasing policy | Tenikwa has implemented a Purchasing Policy which encourages responsible purchasing practices according to what we believe in, namely supporting local, and spending our money with businesses who are ethical and environmentally friendly. |
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