SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainable Practices at Anthony’s Key Resort
When it comes to sustainability, Anthony’s Key Resort doesn’t just talk the talk. Protecting Roatan’s natural resources is one of the most important parts of our mission here. From our internal policies to our educational programs, we aim to do all we can to protect our ecosystem and maintain our status as a sustainable destination. In addition, we support several local and international organizations in their conservation efforts. Learn more about our practices below and how you can become part of our conservation program during your next stay.
Our Mission, Policies, and Practices
Solar Energy – Pioneering Solar in Roatan
Our sustainable efforts continued in the spring of 2020. The installation of solar panels converts Roatan’s most abundant resource, sunshine, into clean, green, renewable energy for the resort during the daytime! The output of the grid-tied solar system started at approximately 300 KW, and in the summer of 2023, the solar grid received an expansion to 532 KW, enough to power the entire resort in the daytime. Nighttime energy is sourced from the Roatan Electric Company (RECO), which, in addition to the wind and solar, uses generators fed by propane gas, which is considered clean combustion. The resort relies on diesel-generated power on the property for backup purposes. The solar field is one of the first things guests see when driving into the property. The panels are installed in what was once AKR’s paved tennis courts, which have not been in use since the late 1980s. The old tennis courts were the perfect location for mounting the solar panels because, besides being near the resort, most of the area was clear of vegetation. This new solar system is the largest privately-owned solar installation in the Western Caribbean, with an annual energy production of 849,147 kWh, reducing over 600 metric tons of CO2.
Reef Restoration
We implemented the coral nursery program in 2016 along with the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences. With the help of visiting students and diving guests who volunteer, we have been able to “rehome” corals that had been broken or fragmented naturally by first growing them artificially on coral trees. Already, we’ve seen the fragments more than triple in size, creating new and healthy coral structures. These structures are maintained by visiting university groups and volunteer guests, giving our coral trees the best chance to thrive and grow. We also offer a course focused on coral reef conservation, which educates guests on the complexity of these habitats and how anyone can help conserve these vital systems. Join us on a Coral Garden maintenance dive during your next stay!
Project Aware Certification
Anthony’s Key Resort has been certified as 100% AWARE per PADI’s environmental initiative, Project Aware. This certification means that we regularly participate in underwater clean-ups of the Roatan area and encourage our guests to do the same. We also offer the Project Aware specialty course to our PADI-certified guests. This class educates visitors on the many ways that divers can help protect the ocean each time they go out.
Water Conservation
Every day, millions of gallons of water are used to wash towels and sheets used only once. As part of our commitment to reducing our water and electricity consumption, we change bed linens and towels every third day and again upon check-out. We also ask our guests to reuse towels during their stay at the resort. We know that small changes like these can have significant results in the long term.
We understand the connection between proper wastewater systems, the environment, and our reefs. From each bungalow and building at Anthony’s Key Resort, wastewater is collected in a series of self-contained tanks. From each tank, wastewater is pumped to a Bio-Microbics plant. The Bio-Microbics plant has three chambers, one each for settling, aerobic treatment, and clarification. Wastewater in the aerobic portion is pumped with bacterial media, and the treated water, rich in nitrogen and phosphorous, is used to irrigate the gardens on the property.
Single-use Plastic
Single-use plastic items are not purchased by or sold at the resort. That means you won’t find plastic bags, bottles, coffee stirrers, straws, or other common single-use plastic items here. These items are the most significant contributors to the eight million metric tons of plastic waste that impact our oceans each year. We ask our guests to carry a reusable water bottle or to drink from a cup. The water throughout the resort is treated and safe for consumption, and we provide filtered water fountains throughout the property. At the bar, we offer stainless steel straws and paper straws.
To further reduce single-use plastic, we equip all guest room baths with bulk dispensers for liquid bath amenities, which housekeeping refills from larger containers. This initiative was implemented in 2012 to help minimize the waste associated with individually packaged bath amenities commonly used in hotels around the world.