1. Theme: Green to Gold - Showcasing Sustainable Tourism Solutions 18 th and 19 th May 2016 AMREF Training Centre – Nairobi, Kenya. Presentation by Andrew Karanja 2016 ECOTOURISM & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FORUM

2. Background Question  How do Gold Eco-rated facilities undertake their operations? Rationale  Gold rated eco-rated facilities are a logical indicator of excellent and replicable best practices in Kenya. Although, it should be noted that best- practice is present among all the eco-rated facilities.  Method A questionnaire was sent to the 24 Gold Eco-rated facilities with thematic questions on energy, waste water systems and water purification systems. Results  Responses were obtained from 13 Gold Eco-rated facilities. Since the research was conducted in April-May, 2016, some facilities had already closed for the season. Other facilities are run by one company, so their operations are similar as per their managers.

3. Sustainable Energy Solutions: An analysis of the most common energy technology used by the hospitality industry in Kenya – a case study of Gold Eco-rated Facilities. 1. Power sources 2. Water heating

4. 1. Electricity Sources of Power

5. Challenges On Solar usage  Weather; 5 out of 9 (56%) facilities that use solar cite this as a problem.  Low output and inverter problems – Facilities indicated these can be reduced by proper maintenance. Surprisingly, cost (of installing solar) was not captured as a major problem among the respondents On generators  Noise pollution  The cost of fuel

6. Popular Brands Generators: Perkins (5/8), 62% Solar  Chloride Exide  Suntech  Centre for Alternate Energy (CAT)  Imports

7. 10/10 The only facility that reported a rating of 10/10 is 100% reliant on solar. This implies that solar as a source of electricity can be self-reliant and reliable. The technology used in this system is efficient even during cloudy days, and is remote-controlled. They are supplied by Bobeco Solar which has offices in Nairobi. Mean satisfaction score of the electricity system was 7.7. On the scale of 1-10, (1 being least satisfied and 10 most satisfied) 7.7 Solar power is popular but only 2/13 of the facilities are entirely reliant on it, while generators are the most popular back-ups (8/13) Satisfaction score with the system 7.7 (range 3-10).

8. 2. Water Heating Solar water heating is the most common practice among the respondents (10/13) 77% facilities use solar as the primary source of water heating. However, brands vary considerably; none share a supplier or brand; can be an indication of numerous suppliers in the country None of the 10 facilities that use solar for water heating share a supplier Charcoal/Kuni boilers are the most preferred alternatives. All the facilities mention that the fuel used is from sustainable sources, and that their water heaters are fuel efficient

9. Challenges  Like Solar electric sources, the most common problem cited with the solar water heaters was the weather.  Other problems cited by the respondents included:  Blockage of inlet and outlet pipes  Scaling of the galvanized pipes  Interference by wild animals Most problems associated with solar can be reduced by heat proofing and proper maintenance according to a majority of respondents The use of hot water in laundry and kitchen is also reported to cut down on the use of detergents and other cleaning products significantly.

10. END Interactive plenary

11. Sustainable Water Management Solutions Water Purification: An analysis of the most common water purification /treatment technology used by the hospitality industry in Kenya – a case study of Gold Eco-rated Facilities.

12. Water Purification in Facilities 10 of the 13 facilities (77%) reported that they have water purification at their facilities which has considerably reduced their volume of plastic production. Reported Cases One facility reported that the installation of the system enabled them to reduce plastic used by the facility by 8,000 in a year Another facility had reduced its plastic usage by 12,000 bottles in a year High Rate of Return on Investment among all the facilities that use the water purification systems

13. Systems Used in Water Purification  Of the 10 facilities that have the water purification system in place  9 (90%) use Ultra Violet technology and reverse osmosis technology  1 (10%) use filtration and chlorination  Davis and Shirtlif (Kenya) was the supplier for three facilities. Four facilities indicated that they had imported their systems (Netherlands and South Africa), The other three sources are varied (Carlo Tigi, Bobeco and Undisclosed)

14. Challenges  Difficulty in accessing spare parts ( easing with time)  Frequent blockage of filters (cited by three)  The notion that locally treated and packaged water is not as safe as factory bottled water  (Sensitization is mentioned as a solution for facilities that have this problem )

15. Waste Water

16. Common methods of managing waste water Black water is mainly managed by septic tanks as 9 of the 13 facilities reported (69%). Soak pits are common in the management of gray water (61%). Other reported strategies in waste water management include Biobox Connection to sewer lines Waste water treatment system

17. 100% COMPLIANCE Facilities that reported that they undertake Effluent Discharge Tests regularly, and results are consistent to the NEMA regulations NEMA requires facilities to undertake Effluent Discharge Tests quarterly (after every three months)

18. What happens after treating Waste Water?  Six of the facilities reported to use the treated waste water for irrigation especially for tree seedlings and bush gardens  One facility reported that they reuse the waste water to flush toilets.

19. Challenges in Wastewater treatment  Foul smell (the facility reported that they mitigated this by planting trees, and regular maintenance)  Regular maintenance (which most facilities reported that they undertake)  Breakdown of pipes and pumps

20. County Level Solid waste Management: Case Study on Solid Waste Management at County levels

21. Background Question  What are the available options for solid waste management in the Counties? Rationale  Most accommodation facilities that are located in remote areas face the challenge of how to effectively manage their wastes in terms of transportation, disposal and recycling. Method  A questionnaire was sent to 7 Counties (Samburu, Narok, Laikipia, Kajiado, Mombasa, Taita Taveta & Kwale) with thematic questions on available waste management policies, waste handling, transportation and recycling. Results  Only 2 (Samburu & Taita Taveta) out of the 7 Counties provided feedback.

22. County Waste Management Policy  Guided by the Waste Management regulations 2006

23. Waste Handling and Transportation Taita Taveta County Personnel available Benjamin Mwadeghu benmaringa@gmail.com benmaringa@gmail.com Registered Waste Transporters County Exhauster and Jowa- wan transport Number 0702 600 000

24. Available opportunities for waste recycling  Samburu County NO  Taita Taveta County Collection of cartons, plastic and glass bottles for recycling in Mombasa

25. Future Plans for Waste Recycling in the Counties. Samburu  Plans to undertake a pilot basis segregation at the source and also, link up waste collectors to existing entrepreneurs Taita Taveta  Plans to privatize waste collection and transportation.  Relocate dumpsite  Plans to put simple structures at the current dumpsites for sorting waste, recycling plant, and biogas

26. It is smart to Be Responsible! THANK YOU CONTACTS Andrew Karanja ecorating@ecotourismkenya.org 0726 366080