Sustainability
Built into rock formations and designed with green roofs (and biophilic walls), the resort is home to many of Turkey's botanic species (nature's aromatherapy of olive, cypress, oleander, sage and thyme). As shared custodians of this extraordinary setting, we're careful to conserve the raw beauty of our secluded beaches, dramatic landscape and local heritage. The resort’s organic farms and gardens play an important role in our Eat With Six Senses approach to food and drink. Through growing much of our own fruit and vegetables on-site, and sourcing from local farms and vineyards, we can ensure that our guests enjoy fresh, whole, seasonal, and high-quality food that's grown-in, not flown-in, reducing packaging and transportation impacts. Our composting machine produces nutrient-rich soil for our organic garden. The glass crusher in our kitchen reduces waste bottle volume by up to 80 percent. Treated waste water is reused for landscaping irrigation. Our heat recovery cooling system reduces our LNG consumption and carbon footprint. We continue to apply our Plastic Free and Zero Waste philosophy, which we started in 2016 by eliminating plastic straws and producing our own still and sparkling water in glass bottles. We use marble dispensers to eliminate plastic containers for liquid soap, shampoo, conditioner and hand and body lotions in guest rooms, common areas, and our spa. We invite our younger guests to learn about upcycling and recycling as well as gardening – ask us what programs we're running during your stay! If they’re lucky, they might even spot some of the local wildlife such as woodpeckers, rabbits, foxes and even the odd wild boar.
Environmental Responsibility
As we are committed to wellness and sustainability, we are continually developing new initiatives to maximize the health of our guests and ecosystems.
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Mediterranean Monk Seals and Marine Conservation
In an effort to protect and conserve our fragile marine environment, Six Senses Kaplankaya conducts clean-ups of the surrounding coastline and awareness raising events involving students, local government agencies, volunteer organizations, and hotel staff. Guests are welcome to join too! In 2023, 590 kg of trash was removed from the marine ecosystem. To further raise awareness of marine life, we have adopted 10 Mediterranean monk seals (one for each hotel department) through SAD-AFAG, an NGO working to protect, rescue, and rehabilitate this vulnerable local species. In 2023, we also facilitated SAD-AFAG to conduct training in local schools, furthering awareness of pressures on the marine environment and how to have a positive impact.
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Local Climate Warriors
Local Climate Warriors is an initiative conducted by Six Senses Kaplankaya in collaboration with our neighboring village schools. The program aims to build a brighter future for children by teaching respect for nature and the environment, whilst improving learning facilities. We support cleaning, renovation, and maintenance of nearby Kazıklı Village school, in addition to welcoming students from nearby villages to the hotel to experience sustainability initiatives firsthand outside of the classroom. During their Climate Warrior visits, school children have the opportunity to participate in training and activities to learn about climate change and environmental awareness, and how to work towards becoming local sustainability advocates. In 2023, 260 children participated in the program.
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Reducing invasive Lionfish
Increasing sea temperatures as a result of climate change is making the Mediterranean Basin more suitable for species belonging to warmer ecosystems, such as the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Transported through the Strait of Gibraltar, Suez Canal, and in ships’ ballast waters, these new species have no natural predators and pose a significant threat to the native ecosystem. In order to combat the impacts of these invasive species, the Mediterranean Conservation Society has been monitoring their populations, in addition to working to protect native species. Six Senses Kaplankaya has been supporting this effort by purchasing invasive Lionfish, and other edible invasive species, to promote their capture and consumption. This reduces fishing pressure for struggling native species, helps remove populations of new foreign species, and provides some new variety in our menus!
Social Responsibility
Working directly within our community, we make positive impacts by employing and purchasing locally and by giving back through education and green projects.
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Supporting Local Women's Livelihoods
We host a monthly Local Market event at Six Senses Kaplankaya, bringing together village women who make local products and handicrafts. Sale profits assist the women to make a livelihood of their own. For further support, we provide information and training about relevant laws and procedures to legitimize their businesses and help broaden their market through social media. We also get projects off the ground through the purchase of key equipment and educational courses to build skills. Handmade by women within this initiative, our soft toy mascot ‘’Ege’’, the Mediterranean Monk Seal, can be found in guest bedrooms for you to take home. The proceeds go towards assisting more women in the region to journey towards economic independence. In 2023, 12 women were supported by the project.
