What is Eco-friendly Spa?

In today’s world, we are more aware than ever that our personal health is inextricably linked to the health of the planet. The Spa world is a culture entirely built on the concept of health and wellbeing.

As such, it has as great a responsibility as any other business to protect the wholistic value of this concept. This is why more and more spas are incorporating greener approaches to self-care, so that sustainability and environmental awareness can be woven into our self-care without compromising on comfort and relaxing experiences.

In this article, we explore what it means to be an eco-friendly and sustainable Spa, some of the “greenest” practices these Spas employ and the benefits of choosing an eco-friendly Spa for our next self-care journey.

What is Eco-Friendly?

The term eco-friendly means “designed to have little to no harmful impact on the environment”. It refers to products or practices that utilize sustainable resources in their production, use and discharge in a way that does not exhaust the ecosystem.

What is an Eco-Friendly Spa?

Eco-friendly Spas can be defined as Spas that aim to minimize their impact on the environment as much as possible while at the same time providing guests with the ultimate relaxing and rejuvenating self-care experiences. They aim to protect biodiversity and natural resources by reducing emissions through sustainable practices such as natural products, energy efficiency and recycling.

What Practices Do Eco-Friendly Spas Adopt?

Green Amenities

One of the most environmentally friendly practices of spas is the “green building” structure. Green establishments such as Capella Ubud and the upcoming St. Regis Kanai are facilities that create as little footprint on nature as possible, utilize clean energy such as solar or geothermal power, and prioritize efficiency.

Many eco-friendly spas are careful to use sustainable woods such as bamboo, green concrete, low VOC paints and upcycled furniture in their construction and renovation. Arctic Bath Harads in Sweden, for example, has saunas in the spa area built entirely from sustainable materials and outdoor plunge pools sourced directly from the surrounding ice. 

The interiors of such spas also make greater use of natural lighting and ventilation, and use energy-efficient heating, cooling and insulation systems.

Saving Water

Spas use a lot of water to imbue our bodies with wellbeing. Eco-friendly spas such as Ojo Caliente and Vana, which will re-launch this year under the Six Senses brand, take green approaches to reduce this consumption, such as low-flow plumbing fixtures, rainwater harvesting, xeriscaping, and on-site wastewater treatment and recycling systems. 

Many eco-spas also source their water from renewable sources. A good example is Stanglwirt Tirol, which supplies all its wet areas, from its abundant pools to its unique coral-filled seawater tank, with local spring water collected in an underground reservoir.

Natural and Organic Treatments

Many eco-spas rely on all-organic ingredients in their treatments, free of chemical impurities, both to reduce overall carbon footprint and to render our spa experience healthier and more nourishing. Some eco-spas also procure products on their menus exclusively from producers who supply them in recyclable or biodegradable packaging. There are also a growing number of Spas that offer the “farm-to-treatment” concept, such as CuisinArt, which has a large hydroponic farm in Anguilla, and the Scarlet Cornwall, which uses only local and natural products in all its Ayurvedic-inspired treatments.

Sustainable Cuisine

Eco Spas also support local farmers, sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly products. For example, Rancho La Puerta, one of the world’s first eco-spas, brings its own harvest to guests’ plates from its Rancho Tres Estrellas facility, while some Spas feature programs dedicated to introducing eco-friendly nutrition into our lifestyles, like the Fivelements’ signature Cuisine for Life. Some Spas also include food recovery or composting training in their culinary workshops.

Organic Hygiene

Most eco-spas use natural, organically water-soluble cleaning products, rather than toxic chemicals such as bleach and chlorine, both in the cleaning of their equipment and in their spa areas. The Scarlet, for instance, cleans its chemical-free outdoor pool with reeds and treats its indoor pool with low doses of bromide. Such Spas also use sustainable fibers like cotton or bamboo in their bathrobes and bed linen, rather than synthetic fibers like microfiber. And for single-use items such as slippers and underwear, they prefer natural and biodegradable products over plastic.

Conservation Policy

Eco-friendly spas also contribute to measures to preserve the ecological and cultural character of their surroundings. Joali Being, for one, restores damaged coral reefs to the ocean through its Reef Restoration program, available for guests to participate in. Other Spas, such as Arctic Bath, take an ethical approach by working with indigenous communities who share the ancient culture and rituals of the region with their guests.

Zero-Waste Comfort

Some Eco-Spas have their own recycling facilities, while many others manage their waste through facilities that aim to be carbon neutral. Many eco-friendly Spas also use reusable glass and metal products instead of plastic utensils. Mandarin Oriental London, among others, is one of the spas that has completely eliminated single-use plastic. While some, such as Aqua Dome, have filtration plants that turn natural spring water into drinking water.

Why Choose Eco-Friendly Spas?

Opting for eco-spas for our next self-care journey has countless benefits for our physical, mental and spiritual aspects as well as our environment. Should we round up some highlights, environmentally friendly Spas;

• use natural, organic and non-toxic care products in their treatments and therapies. This allows our skin to be truly “nourished” with gentle ingredients that can be better absorbed.
• prioritize cleaners and products that will not harm the environment in their areas. This allows us to enjoy the sauna or hydrotherapy pool without coming into contact with harsh chemicals.
• value supporting local and ethical businesses in their spa treatments and cuisine, giving us the satisfaction of both eating naturally and doing good for the ecosystem and local culture.
• are often located in nature-immersive and tranquil environments, with an emphasis on greenery, natural lighting and open spaces in their designs. This encourages us to connect more deeply with our core and with nature, and to boost our mood by distancing ourselves from hectic mental states.
• help us to break away from stressors such as noise and pollution through clean energy sources and sustainable practices.
• often incorporate mindfulness and meditation practices into their treatments, which can help improve our mental wellbeing.
• ensures that we leave as minimal footprint as possible on the environment, making our indulgent spa journey more meaningful and fulfilling on a spiritual level.

In short, embracing eco-friendly spas as part of our self-care journeys can be a great way to nourish our bodies, minds and spirits, while at the same time experiencing the satisfaction and sense of meaningfulness that comes from being more environmentally conscious.

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