Sustainable tourism: Terme Sveti Martin makes candles from waste oils. We also bring the recipe

Terme Sveti Martin are pioneers of short supply chains and pioneers of sustainable tourism in Croatia and the first hotel in Croatia to carry the prestigious European environmental mark EU Ecolabel. 

I have already written several times about positive business examples from Terma Sveti Martin, but they continue to amaze me. The new story from Terma is also an excellent example of a sustainable business, which really lives and functions in a sustainable way, and sustainable certificates and awards are just icing on the cake. 

A new example of sustainable development comes in the form of candles. Namely, Terme Sveti Martin makes candles from waste oils. 

MAKING CANDLES FROM WASTE OILS FROM THE KITCHEN

Waste oils are one of the biggest polluters of our nature, especially water, and as Terme Sveti Martin is oriented towards a healthy life, they also care about the environment, as evidenced by the recently received EU Ecolabel label (the most famous ecological label in Europe and the world), they decided to leave a step further.

Od waste oils which are located in kitchens they make scented candles, and all for the purpose of preserving the environment. Likewise, in making scented candles all guests can participate. Another additional benefit and extension of the story. 

First, there is no waste, the whole process is rounded and creates added value.

All kitchens use oils in their food production processes. The kitchen collects that oil, and then it is filtered through a coffee filter and mixed with melted soy wax, they tell us from Terma Sveti Martin and add:

"Natural colors are added to the candles, such as cocoa or plant powder, and for example ground orange peel, which gives its specific scent, and natural essential oils. Natural candles that are made from waste oils end up in the hands of our visitors and business partners or serve for creative activities with guests." they say from Terma Sveti Martin. 

Secondly, as Terme Sveti Martin is a family-oriented resort, and as such we pay great attention to all family members, the soaps were also used for creative workshops, as well as for education on sustainable development, i.e. recycling. 

"All the while keeping in mind the health of our guests and the preservation of the environment, we have created workshops that all guests, as well as visitors eager for new knowledge, can join, while creating an interesting story in which they connect their own creativity, the local community, their guests and environmental preservation in a unique and an interesting way." point out from Terme Sveti Martin. 

In both cases, added value was created. 

Recycling and added value

One of the recommendations regarding food waste is to make compost with organic food residues, for example fruit and vegetables, coffee grounds, tea residues (including bags), egg shells, etc. In this way, organic residues can be turned into fertile humus. Nutrients from food scraps will be an excellent addition to plants.

In fact, you can also do an action of planting or feeding plants inside/around the hotel in which you include guests, especially families with children. A gardener or educator can plant new plants with guests or feed existing ones, while educating guests through a practical example and a story about the importance of sustainable development, planting trees, recycling, waste sorting, as well as rational consumption of food in order to reduce waste.

Or let's say that the role of ambassador and educator can be taken over by animators or mascots. 

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By the way, Terme Sveti Martin also has a composter, which in 24 hours turns all waste into compost that can be used in the resort for environmental maintenance or donated to local OPGs. 

Yes, sustainable tourism is much more than installing solar panels, and I find this move so genius that I wonder why everyone isn't doing it. With the aim of encouraging others to follow this path, Terme Sveti Martin also shared a recipe for making candles from waste oils. 

RECIPE FOR 6 CANDLES

ingredients:

• 500 g of soy wax
• 2 cups of waste oil
• essential oil of your choice
• a cooker in which a metal or glass container can be placed (a pizza oven can be used)
• metal or glass refractory container
• coffee filter
• candle holder, wick

• Strain the waste oil from the kitchen through a coffee filter, several times if necessary in order to purify it of all impurities.
• Fill the kettle with water and heat it. 
• Put wax in a metal or glass container and pour oil over it.
• Stir slowly until the wax melts and blends with the oil. 
• Add the essential oil of your choice to the mixture, at least 70 ml (reduce the amount if you are working with a smaller amount of wax and oil). 
• Mix well and gently. 
• Add natural color to the mixture (eg turmeric for orange, coffee for brown, spirulina powder for blue...)
• Mix gently until everything is melted and takes on the desired color. 
• Place the wick in the candle container and slowly pour the melted mixture into the container. 
• Leave the wax to harden. 
• Light a candle and enjoy the fragrance. 

In addition, for pleasant summer evenings outdoors, Terma Sveti Martin offers one of the ecological essential oils that will smell great and at the same time repel unwanted mosquitoes or other insects, such as essential oil of lavender, lemon eucalyptus, peppermint or Javanese citronella. Interestingly, if we use candles, we use less lighting and reduce electricity consumption. 

Ultimately, this is how strong bonds are built and created between guests and the hotel - brand, and it creates loyalty i the best marketing - word of mouth recommendation. Because if a child on the way home in the car enthusiastically tells me about how they planted a tree or made oil candles and the importance of recycling, that has extremely great value to me as a parent. Even bigger because he took the candle home as a constant reminder. How everything fits and complements each other beautifully, layer by layer, in this article. 

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Terme Sveti Martin are the best example of sustainable business and tourism. Let's learn from others, let's connect, because in order to achieve sustainable goals, we must not only look at individual positive examples, but we must be sustainable as a society or a destination - and then we can build sustainable tourism on these foundations. 

Live tourism starts from the local community. For their own sake, and then as an added value in tourism. 

Photo: Terme Sveti Martin