Protea Hotel by Marriott Breakwater Lodge joins the Green Key hospitality network

Protea Hotel by Marriott Breakwater Lodge joins the Green Key hospitality network

Jun 17, 2025 | Green Key, News

Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge has officially joined the ranks of Green Key certified hotels and it’s easy to see why.

This popular V&A Waterfront destination has embraced sustainability in ways that are both guest-facing and operationally impactful.

Key highlights include:

  • A bokashi composting system that saved 30.3 tonnes of CO₂e in 2024 – the equivalent of planting 1,375 trees.
  • Introduction of a 100% plant-based menu, reducing the hotel’s culinary carbon footprint.
  • A beautiful indigenous water-wise garden, supporting biodiversity and eliminating invasive species.
  • Coffee grounds upcycled into free natural fertiliser for guests.
  • In-house herb garden, fed by compost and used in daily cooking.

According to General Manager Colin Naiker, “From composting to plant-based menus and water-wise gardens, it’s rewarding to see our daily efforts recognised. Sustainability isn’t an add-on, it’s a shared goal that’s part of how we work, host, and serve every day.”

This Green Key certification journey has proven that with the right people, every hotel can go green and grow stronger in the process. It signals a deep commitment to sustainability without compromise.

Reach out to learn more about how your establishment can get certified by WESSA.

Tevya Visser
Senior Sustainable Programme Manager
E-mail: greenkey@wessa.co.za

OR Tambo Protea Hotel Sets Sustainability Benchmark with Green Key Certification

OR Tambo Protea Hotel Sets Sustainability Benchmark with Green Key Certification

Jun 12, 2025 | Green Key, News

We’re proud to announce that Protea Hotel by Marriott OR Tambo Airport is officially Green Key certified, becoming the first Protea Hotel in Sub-Saharan Africa to receive this globally recognised eco-label.

Green Key is more than a symbol. It’s a rigorous standard for environmental excellence in the hospitality industry, and OR Tambo Protea Hotel passed with flying colours.

Behind every Green Key certification is a dedicated team and at Protea Hotel by Marriott OR Tambo Airport, sustainability is not just policy, it’s a culture. From the front desk to the kitchen, sustainability is woven into daily staff meetings and decision-making. The hotel’s team didn’t just meet the standard they shaped it, with a holistic approach. Among its most notable achievements:

  • 91% LED lighting coverage – nearly double the Green Key requirement.
  • Over 15,700 kg of food waste diverted from landfill.
  • Installation of an on-site bokashi composting system, advancing circular food waste solutions.
  • Daily staff eco-briefings and integrated sustainability across all operations.
  • Deep-rooted community outreach – including soup kitchens, mattress donations, and blood drives.

As CEO of WESSA, Cindy-Lee Cloete, put it, “This isn’t just about ticking boxes. This is responsible tourism in action, led by teams that live sustainability every day.”

Learn more about Green Key.