SUSTAINABILITY

We donate 5€ per room per night to the Ocean Azores Foundation supporting marine conservation projects across the 9 islands. Find out more oceanazores.org

The Solar Branco Eco Estate aims to lead the way in the Azores regarding meaningful eco initiatives and sustainability projects for hotels in the Azores. We believe in leading the way for sustainable tourism here in the Azores and beyond. We know that everything we do impacts on the environment. But we believe we can reduce our impact through simple, significant and careful steps.

Our initiatives include a complete ban on single-use plastic and pesticides. We are the first in the Azores to commit to being a zero food waste hotel. In the gardens we have 3 dedicated wildlife ponds for frogs and local birds. Our chickens are all free-range, and our field is maintained with wildflowers, cut in stages only twice a year encouraging wildflowers for pollinators and other wildlife. We employ local staff and buy the majority of our food produce from local vendors.

We understand our impact and work will never stop. Sustainability isn’t something we can start and finish. It is a constantly evolving process. Owners, Ali and Caroline feel the foundations are in place and will be delighted to talk you through the work and projects being undertaken in person while you are on the estate.

Ocean Azores Foundation: The Solar Branco Eco Estate in combination with our in-house gin brand, Ghosts of The Ocean makes a donation to support the Azores in several areas of marine and sustainable conservation. Read more about the foudation here.

A 5€ donation (per room, per night) is made supporting marine conservation projects. Throughout the estate and accommodation units we also monitor energy usage and in partnership with our guests, we will donate these savings to The Ocean Azores Foundation.

Created in 2020 by Ali Bullock, co-owner of The Solar Branco Eco Estate. From a simple conversation about how the Azores could become a certified Whale Heritage Site to completing this certification in 2023. The foundation aims to support change and conservation for the whales that live and travel through the waters of the Azores.

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Our hotel transport runs on 100% renewable power

As part of our commitment to be one of the sustainable hotels in the Azores and Portugal, we are proud that our hotel transport vehicle is an electric VW bus. We also have on-site complimentary charging stations for hotel guests.

With less than 7% of plastic being recycled in the EU (and too much of this shipped off to South East Asia to be burnt or dumped in the ocean) we have taken a region-wide, industry-leading stance. Rather than recycle plastic waste, we focus on how to not use it in the first place with a complete ban.

The estate aims to source over 80% of our food from local suppliers, growing seasonal foods here in the Azores. But our commitment doesn’t stop there. We also ensure that no edible food is wasted by feeding it to our free range chickens. Unwanted food goes in, and the most delicious eggs come out. A pretty good deal all round.

With Europe’s largest gin collection serving hundreds of gin and tonics a month, we naturally go through a lot of glass tonic bottles. With this in mind, we work to ensure that 100% of our glass is recycled. Additionally, we have banned single use plastic on the estate and are working with partners to reduce their usage, not just for us, but for other clients.

Our targeted plan is to achieve 80% or higher from renewable sources of energy, focusing on the solar panels that we have on the estate. We can also reduce our energy usage in partnership with our guests, further helping the environment.

Our first chickens were brought from the farmers market in pretty poor condition, unwanted and only desired for the pot. Within a month of free range foraging and a nice warm place to sleep (which we called Cluckingham Palace) they thrived and we now have over 50 happy chickens laying eggs (most days). 

The humble pond is much overlooked and undervalued by most people. Our ponds are the wildlife town squares of the estate. They are a place where so much wildlife meets. From insects such as bees and dragon flies, to frogs and lizards. Ants and worms live in the piled up logs along with all sorts of creepy crawlies (which we leave undisturbed for good reason.)

Working with Populo vet clinic we can help rescue hedgehogs and release them back into the wild when it is safe to do so.

Bees are at critically low levels around the world due to industrialised agriculture and pesticide usage. The Azores is no different, and in fact has 10% of the bee population that you find on other islands, such as Madeira. The estate is committed to help to increase bee numbers with a number of initiatives on the estate.

Join as at the weekly farmers market. Hosted every week at the Santana Farmers Union, this is the best place to buy fresh fruit, vegetables and even cows straight from the farmers of Sao Miguel.