At the Kasteelhoeve, sustainability is not a marketing term or ‘Greenwashing’. Every day, we look for ways to reduce our burden on the environment, on people and on animals. The recognition we receive for our efforts in terms of sustainability is a rewarding acknowledgement that strengthens us in our ambition to do even better. A short summary:
The Kasteelhoeve is one of the first sites in Flanders to have been awarded the ‘De Groene Sleutel‘ label (Green Key Award) in 2012 as a meeting location and hospitality accommodation. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, we achieved the highest score of all 104 locations in Flanders. ‘De Groene Sleutel’ is an international quality label (awarded by ‘Toerisme Vlaanderen’ – Tourism Flanders) that stands for thorough sustainable renovation, layout and management.
Kasteelhoeve Wange was laureate for the ‘Best Corporate Social Responsibility‘ Award twice (in 2013 and 2014).
Kasteelhoeve Wange won the International Green Key Award—an international prize for sustainable tourism—on two separate occasions. In 2016, the Kasteelhoeve was awarded the gold medal for the most coherent and integrated solutions in terms of water conservation and the reduction of its ecological footprint. In 2017, we received this international award for ‘partnerships and local commitment to sustainable development’. In the context of these awards, Kasteelhoeve Wange was considered as the ‘most sustainable tourist company in the world’ by press and Tourisme Vlaanderen alike.
In December 2016, the Kasteelhoeve was nominated by Trends as the most sustainable, innovative and profitable company in Flemish Brabant.
De Kasteelhoeve won the ‘Climate ambassador 2016‘ award, awarded by Voka Vlaams-Brabant and the province of Flemish Brabant.
Bond Beter Leefmileu recognized us as one of the 10 forerunners in Flanders in terms of circular economy. Through the ‘Our circular future’ project, the BBL draws attention to innovative initiatives surrounding the circular economy in Belgium. A jury selected 10 forerunners as examples of what is already being realized in practice. Kasteelhoeve Wange was one of the laureates. More information can be found here.
In February 2018, Philip Van Kelst, founder and CEO of the Kasteelhoeve, won the CSR Professional of the Year 2017 award. The jury praised us: “Philip and Kasteelhoeve Wange conduct an open and transparent CSR policy, with a strong focus on inclusion. In addition, sustainability and care for the environment were core values from the very start. This makes Philip a true example for his sector! “
A stay at Kasteelhoeve Wange poses the least possible burden on the environment, on people and on animals. All this without sacrificing comfort. How do we do that?
We try to produce and process as much as we can ourselves, and we try to recycle our own waste as well. This is called circular economy. At the Kasteelhoeve there are bees, cattle, apple trees and a large vegetable garden of 800 m². Honey and beef are ‘homegrown’. Food products we do not produce ourselves are sourced exclusively from local suppliers. We use local products, preferably organic. All suppliers of animal products have been screened for animal-friendliness. A number of suppliers such as, for instance, Samenland, Martenshoeve, Bolderhof, De Winning and De Boogerd work together with social employment agencies. Everything we serve is preferably homemade, even our pâté and rillettes. We also offer an extensive range of vegetarian meals. Our customers can choose beforehand according to their personal preferences.
We use green label products exclusively: shower soap, floor soap and laundry products. No toxic or environmentally harmful products are used on the property; weeds are mowed, pulled out or burned where necessary. The fourteen-hectare domain is a veritable refuge for animals. It is, for example, home to the 4 different types of owls that occur in Flanders.
Of course, the Kasteelhoeve cannot do all this alone. Our sustainable mission is realised together with others. We don’t know anything about cows or bees or apple trees. Others take care of this, help us or take over the care. The Kasteelhoeve engages in creating connections. The cows of De Vaerendriesch graze on our pastures, we serve the beef to our guests. The apple trees are maintained and pruned by Den Boogerd, and they provide us with delicious juice. The bees in their hives under the birch trees are managed by Michel Asperges and his colleague, a beekeeper of the Royal Flemish Beekeepers Association. We serve the delicious linden and spring honey at breakfast and teatime…