Baillie Lodges is a collection of environmentally sustainable luxury lodges in remarkable wilderness destinations. A proactive approach to environmental management is essential the guest experience at each property, to the ongoing well-being of the destination and to the sustainability of business in experiential tourism.
Baillie Lodges’ management holds an impressive track record of operating environmentally considered lodges in remote locations; they are often included in World Heritage-listed regions or bordering national and marine parks.
The company’s commitment to the environment is best seen in each lodge’s day-to-day interaction with its local natural and cultural surroundings. A dynamic environmental management plan featuring state-of-the art, continually evolving technologies steers lodge operations and ultimately enhances each guest’s experience of the destination.
Biodiversity Protection & Conservation
A stay at a Baillie Lodges property by default includes interaction with the surrounding natural environment. Some properties include an itinerary of signature experiences for guests led by their own inhouse guides while others work closely with local operators for destination tours and experiences – and often a combination of them both! These experiences build awareness of the natural environment as well as offering an understanding of local culture and the community.
Capella Lodge collaborates closely with the Lord Howe Island Board to implement environmental management policies in keeping with the destination’s World Heritage listing. The Board carefully controls visitation and no more than 400 guests are allowed at any one time on the island, protecting the small island from over-crowding.
Revegetation of two acres of land surrounding Capella Lodge is ongoing, where endemic species are planted to prevent erosion. Species include Kentia Palms, Hopwood, Sallywood, Melaluca, Juniper, Bulli Bush, Tee Tree, Berry Wood and Goat Wood.
Energy Management
A commitment to best-manage energy is ongoing at Capella Lodge. The aspect and architectural design of the property was planned to maximise benefits of each destination’s natural weather patterns, encouraging flow-through ventilation and the use of glazing to capture sunlight and store natural heat.
Capella Lodge takes advantage of its temperate sub-tropical climate and does not require air conditioning, with shuttered doors, ceiling fans, thick Kentia palms and generous verandas designed to channel cool breezes to guest suites.
Renewable Energy & Energy Savings
Capella Lodge employs a solar power system that minimises the property’s draw on the island energy supply and feeds back into the island grid during periods of low energy use. Its 40 solar panels are discretely positioned across the roof of Capella Lodge and have been installed as part of Lord Howe Island’s commitment to generate 80 per cent of its energy from renewable sources. The Sunny Tripower system generates 14100kwh each year.
Capella Lodge also uses green energy ethanol to fuel contemporary EcoSmart fires which heat both public areas and in-suite fireplaces. Capella uses electric buggies to transfer guests around the island, and maintains a fleet of mountain bikes which are the main source of transport on Lord Howe.
As part of the 2018 refurbishment, all lights at Capella – both front and back of house – were fitted with energy saving LED globes.
Waste Management
Extensive recycling is undertaken at Capella Lodge, with staff separating compostable materials, cardboard and paper, glass, plastic, aluminium and rubbish. Biodegradable chemicals are used for cleaning.
At Capella Lodge, an environmentally sensitive onsite sewage treatment plant manages wastewater in line with Lord Howe Island’s strict regulations. Waste water is captured and treated to a standard that prevents negative impact on the island’s ground water and sensitive marine environment. A new generation Kubotato system provided by TrueWater Australia was installed in 2015, providing an even higher standard of treatment.
The Lord Howe Island Board (LHIB) is responsible for the management and disposal of all waste generated on the island. Waste is managed through the Board’s Waste Management Facility (WMF) located near the airport. Lord Howe Island has no land fill capability so all waste which cannot be composted or used on the island is shipped to the mainland by barge. The island does not have a garbage collection service so residents and businesses are responsible for the sorting and delivery of waste at the WMF. Waste management is a significant cost to the small Lord Howe Island community so everyone is encouraged to reuse, reduce and recycle.
At Capella, recycling is a high priority. Organic waste and recyclables are sent the short distance to the WMF’s leading edge Vertical Compost Unit for recycling. Compost is then used for island regeneration and environmental projects.
Water Management
Capella Lodge features accredited bathroom and shower fittings to ensure efficient systems and minimise water usage. Guests are encouraged to opt for towel and linen changes every third day of their stay, potentially saving 250,000 litres a year per lodge and minimising detergent use.
Capella Lodge captures around 75% of all its water needs in rainwater tanks, with a total storage of 290,000 litres supplied by regular rainfall and harvested from the lodge roof.
Multi-use Vessels
Capella Lodge uses refillable water bottles for guest use on outdoor adventures. There are no single-use (plastic) drinking straws on offer for guests in the bar or restaurant.
Guest amenities (shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap and hand cream) are all presented in guest suites in stylish, refillable vessels, which are refilled as needed as part of the daily housekeeping service.