For the environment

Reducing Our Environmental Footprint

Since its inception, Santo Collection has been committed to addressing today’s most pressing environmental challenges through environmentally conscious practices that contribute to a regenerative future. From water and energy management to waste reduction and sustainable farming, we take proactive steps to preserve the natural environment and our planet.  
Our approach is validated by both ISO 14001 certification – a global benchmark for environmental management- and LEED certification for Santo Mine, recognizing our buildings’ sustainable design and construction. These internationally recognized standards underscore our commitment to delivering exceptional, eco-conscious experiences while safeguarding our environment for future generations. 

At Santo Collection, we prioritize the need to use water responsibly through meaningful actions designed to reduce consumption and enhance water quality across our operations.  

Key Actions  

Infrastructure and Systems 

• Advanced reverse osmosis and filtration units for all resorts water needs 
• Water flow reduction filters on all taps 
• Upgraded hydraulic pipes and water supply networks 
• Automated drip irrigation systems for landscaping 
• Night-time irrigation scheduling to minimize evaporation loss 

Operational Excellence 

• Manual and robotic pool cleaning systems to reduce water replacement 
• Modified jacuzzi maintenance schedules 
• Regular water quality monitoring (ISO 22000 certified) 
• Staff training in water conservation techniques 

Guest Engagement 

• ‘Wash on Demand’ policy for towels and bed linen 

This integrated approach ensures efficient water usage while maintaining exceptional guest comfort and service quality. 

As of 2022, Santo Collection has made significant strides in dedication to environmental responsibility by implementing sustainable energy solutions, including electric vehicle charging stations.  

Key Actions 

• Installation of energy recovery systems that repurpose exhaust energy from air conditioning and ventilation to heat or cool water. 
• Building Energy Management System (BEMS) for optimized operational control. 
• Magnetic card room systems for automated energy conservation. 
• Temperature-optimized air conditioning units (FCUs) to maximize energy efficiency. 
• Replacement of outdated electrical equipment with energy-efficient models, including A+++ air conditioning, refrigerators, computers, and photocopiers. 
• Transition from incandescent and economy light bulbs to energy-efficient LED lighting. The resort uses 99% LED lighting systems, resulting in lower power consumption. 
• Established procedures for the maintenance and proper cleaning of energy systems. 
• Upgraded insulation, including high-tech insulation and double-glazed windows, for improved energy performance. 
• Transition to air-water heat pumps for all domestic and Jacuzzi water heating, fully replacing the previous LPG systems. 

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES 

At Santo Collection, we use renewable energy sources (RES). Unlike conventional energy, RES has minimal environmental effects and offers long-term financial benefits. To this end, 100% of electricity purchased is from renewable energy sources | Guarantee of Origin (GO) certified. 

DIRECT AND INDIRECT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS 

As part of our commitment to improving our environmental footprint, Santo Collection tracks and records both direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2023, we have expanded our climate initiatives to include the estimation of indirect Scope 3 emissions, which account for the greenhouse gases produced across our value chain.

ON THE ROAD TO NET ZERO WASTE

For the proper evaluation and implementation of waste management, Santo Collection maintains a detailed record of its hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Additionally, it tracks the percentages of its waste management methods (e.g., reuse, recovery, and landfilling) to assess and monitor its performance. 

ORGANIC WASTE 

Supporting the net zero-waste-to-landfill production system, a significant initiative was implemented at Santo Collection. Organic waste from its kitchens is being transferred to Crete’s Bioenergy facilities to be converted into biogas for power generation, starting in 2023. In the same philosophy, kitchens and restaurants’ staff are trained to minimize food waste, supporting a sustainable food system. 

COMPOSTING SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

Organic kitchen waste (excluding oil) is transferred to our resort’s gardens where it is composted alongside garden waste. This natural composting process effectively reduces organic waste—such as food leftovers, paper towels, and garden clippings—by 70-80%. The resulting high-quality compost is suitable for all types of cultivation, contributing to healthier gardens and a circular approach to waste. 

REDUCING THE USE OF AND RECYCLING PLASTIC 

To minimize plastic waste, we have taken the following actions: 

• Collection and separation of plastics in guest rooms and across resort areas, using dedicated recycling bins.  
• Replacement of plastic straws and cups with sustainable alternatives 
• Switched from plastic to glass or paper bottles in rooms & dining areas. 
• Shift from single-use plastic bathroom products to refillable containers  

PAPER REDUCTION 

To reduce paper usage, we’ve implemented several key measures: 

• Eliminating most printed materials in favour of electronic information. 
• Using FSC-certified paper for all print materials, ensuring our products are sourced from sustainably managed forests and produced in compliance with environmental, social, and economic standards. 

At Santo Collection, we align our operations with the principles of the European Green Deal and actively contribute to climate action and environmental preservation through the EU “Farm to Fork” strategy.

Our commitment supports the development of a regenerative, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system. We aim to integrate regenerative food production with gastronomy by offering our guests wholesome, locally sourced options that embrace the slow food movement. Our practices emphasize the optimal management of natural resources, including water, energy, and raw food materials, while promoting soil health and effective organic waste management.  

We have adopted a comprehensive 360-degree approach based on four key pillars.

Through the installation of planted roofs on the roofs of the Santo Collection’s resorts, covering 4,422 square metres of surface, we create autonomous ecosystems, that function as “green roofs”, making them friendlier to the local flora and fauna. This fact practically demonstrates the respect that our resorts show to biodiversity, to both flora and fauna. 

At Santo Collection, we pioneer sustainable innovation through our “Regenerating Lassithi Plateau and its People | Towards a Sustainable Food Destination” program.

Launched in 2023, this initiative addresses global challenges through local action, focusing on organic regenerative agriculture to prioritize environmental sustainability, community development, and economic growth. We are dedicated to enacting positive environmental change by restoring soil vitality, which is essential for tackling the pressing challenges posed by climate change.  Our mission is to connect organic regenerative food production with culinary excellence, offering nutritious food options to our local community and our guests. Our deep-rooted, decades-long family connection with the Lassithi Plateau makes it the ideal location for this program. In partnership with the Lassithi Plateau Agricultural Cooperative and Local Food Experts, we train farmers in organic regenerative practices. The resulting produce is served at our resorts, creating a direct farm-to-table connection for our guests. 

Embracing Organic Regenerative Agriculture 

Organic Regenerative Agriculture involves a set of practices aimed at enhancing biodiversity, enriching soils, and improving watershed health. This approach seeks to sequester carbon in the soil, increase crop yields, promote resilience to climate variation, and enhance the health and vitality of farming communities. 

Key principles of Organic Regenerative Agriculture include: 

• Minimizing soil disturbance 
• Implementing crop rotation to maximize field biodiversity 
• Establishing ground cover for natural protection 
• Keeping soil ecosystems active throughout the year 
• Integrating livestock into crop production where feasible 

Program in numbers:  

• 8 farmers 
• 12 categories of fresh vegetables and fruits cultivated following the principles of organic regenerative agriculture 
• 20 acres, under the regulation EU 2018/848 on organic farming.   
• 800 Kg of products cultivated through organic regenerative practices supplied to our resort in the past 2 years