In September we celebrate Tourism Month, so we would like to invite you to see what the Two Oceans Aquarium is doing to be a responsible tourist destination. Let’s start at the very beginning, because as someone famous once said, that is a very good place to start!

It was in 2007 that the Two Oceans Aquarium took its first baby steps on a journey of sustainability. We joined the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme and were awarded Silver status. Year after year, as we continued to improve and find new ways of operating our business in a sustainable way, our status changed according to our performance, going from silver to gold.

In 2011 we were awarded Platinum status, which is the highest status awarded by Heritage. (After five successive years of Platinum status, Diamond status is awarded.)

Being a business has its own particular challenges along the sustainability journey, but perhaps some of the things we do here, can help you on your sustainability journey at home.

Here are five things we do as a business that you can also do at home.

1. Responsible TP - yup, you heard us!

We’ve changed our toilet paper to Sappi Triple Green. This toilet paper is made from sugar cane waste fibre and the wood fibre that is used is sourced from sustainable and well-managed plantations.

2. Too hot to handle

We’ve switched the hot water taps off in areas where there is no need for them. Not only does this save water, a resource so incredibly scarce in our drought-stricken country, but it also saves on electricity. Perhaps you have a space in your house that has a hot water tap that isn’t really necessary? You’d be surprised how easily people go for the hot water, when good old cold water will do.

Geysers need blankets too 

Check out our other water initiatives here.

3. A helping hand for geysers

Our geysers have been fitted with their own snug blankets. This saves a whole lot of electricity, which in turns saves other resources. You can buy one at your local building supply store.

Check out our other energy initiatives here.

4. We recycle. Big time

When you walk around the Aquarium you will see that we have recycle bins dotted around, but our recycling efforts don't stop there. We have a contracted recycler onsite, every day. This person is in charge of ensuring that our waste is sorted and that the recycling is sent to the recycling depot.

Our recycling efforts don't stop here

The City of Cape Town offers curb-side recycling in certain areas. To check if your area is covered visit https://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/wasterec/map. If your area does not fall within the curb-side programme, have a look at your nearest drop-off points (also on this website).

Check out our other waste initiatives here.

5. Renewable energy

We have, and are still, installing solar panels to help with the electricity supply of the Aquarium. Perhaps, at home, you can start with a solar-powered geyser? You never know where this might lead – think “off the grid”…

We're continuously expanding our solar power infrastructure

To all our foreign visitors – welcome to our beautiful City, especially during Tourism Month. To our locals – thank you for making Cape Town so special.