Traditionally Crafted Tranquility at Furaveri Maldives
Sustainability is one of the key pillars at Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi, a stunning private resort located in the northern Shaviyani Atoll. The property aspires to be as close to zero waste as they can, using current and future technology improvements to allow them to find better ways to reduce, reuse, recycle and upcycle their waste, whilst inspiring others globally to help secure a better future for our oceans and communities.
Earlier this year, Fairmont Maldives launched its Sustainability Lab project, a new hub of eco-education. From turning plastic waste into unique products, to educating guests and empowering local communities, here are three ways that Fairmont Maldives is leading the charge towards a more sustainable future.
Specialised machinery in the Sustainability Lab transforms and repurposes plastic waste into beautiful bespoke souvenirs, including luggage tags in the shape of turtles. After plastics have been collected from the beach, reef, and ocean, they are separated alongside glass and aluminium, before a series of machines are used to shred, melt, shape and press it into various unique products.
Community upliftment is part of Fairmont’s DNA, and the Sustainability Lab is on its way to becoming a recycling centre in the atoll and beyond, creating a culture of sustainability and accountability in local communities. Surrounding islands are encouraged to collect, sort, and recycle their plastic waste by sending it to Fairmont Maldives rather than leaving it to landfill or to be disposed of in the ocean. Schools are vested to teach classes on recycling, marine biodiversity, and ocean conservation, as well as visiting the resort to see the Sustainability Lab and the conservation projects being undertaken on the island, encouraging the next generation of eco-conscious travellers to care passionately about protecting their natural ecosystem.
One of the biggest problems facing sea turtles in the world today is the large quantity of plastic polluting the oceans. To emphasise the importance of tackling this issue, Fairmont Maldives has partnered with the Olive Ridley Project, a Maldives-based NGO focused on turtle research, and launched the Turtle Ranger Programme. Guests can join the Marine Biologist to protect turtle nests, assisting hatchlings in their journey from nest to ocean, rescuing turtles stuck in ghost nets and collecting vital tracking data to monitor migration patterns. Turtle Rangers also carry out workshops in the Sustainability Lab, converting plastic removed during beach cleaning into turtle shaped products using the bespoke machines.
For more information about Fairmont Maldives, visit https://www.fairmont.com/maldives/
