Reducing CO2 Emissions – Calculating our Carbon Footprint
Over the past century, it has been estimated that global CO2 emissions have risen from 2 billion tons (recorded 1900) to a staggering 36.5 billion tons (by 2018).
While it’s easy to see a statistic and stay distant from the issue, individuals, businesses, and organizations must collectively acknowledge the significant correlation between our increased Co2 emissions and the devastating effects on planetary climate change.
The fight against climate change requires the active reduction of our energy consumption. Energy efficiency and reducing our carbon emissions is the transition needed to work towards a clean energy future.
Reducing Co2 Emissions in the Workplace
For every company, a chain of energy exists. Businesses and offices produce Co2 emissions and consume energy through the use of natural gas, electricity, heating oil, propane, servers, fleet, employee, and commuter travel.
Businesses can reduce their carbon footprint through several actions that include the usage of renewable energy sources, simply regulating the office thermostat, ensuring all plug sockets are switched off at the end of the day, choosing a laptop instead of a desktop computer, sharing vehicles, recycling, etc.
Calculating our Carbon Footprint
Whilst most businesses may not have the time, knowledge, and resources to spend organizing, planning, and sustaining eco-friendly actions to make a difference to their carbon footprint, there are companies specialised in calculating and providing energy-efficient solutions to help create a more sustainable workplace.
In the latter part of 2020, we calculated our Carbon Footprint: Prestige Properties Ibiza emits approximately 18 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Since actively calculating our carbon footprint, we have now received an official manual for reducing our emissions in the office by changing electrical equipment to newer more efficient versions, changing to more hybrid or fully electric cars, switching off all equipment at the end of the day, and keeping air-con’s systems within reasonable temperature limits.
Off-Setting
Offsetting means funding global projects to reduce carbon emissions elsewhere, to "off-set" the amount of emissions you create. Frequently carbon offsetting reduces emissions much faster than an individual or single company can.
Carbon offsetting projects help to combat global climate change as well as caring for local communities. In many instances they also are known to provide needed employment, health improvement, biodiversity, reforestation and broad social benefits to impoverished communities.
For the future, we are now looking at projects to off-set our footprint, so that we can be a 100% carbon neutral company. So, stay tuned for more information.
While real solutions require action on a global scale, there are choices you and your business can make in your day-to-day work life that will lessen the impact on the environment. The more companies that decide to be carbon neutral, the greater the impact will be for a cleaner future.
Having a specialised Partner Program with an innovative way to help our business calculate, reduce and offset our carbon footprint has set us on a clear path to help the environment, fight climate change, and help work towards the transition to a clean energy future.
Do you have any questions or need more info? Send us a message and we will get back as quickly as possible!
Prestige Properties Ibiza – Social Responsibility and Community Initiatives
Our team at Prestige Properties Ibiza collectively considers our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a humble opportunity to ‘give back’ to Ibiza. Our gratitude for our home and the opportunities we receive as a business, as well as individuals, motivates us to acknowledge our accountability as citizens and encourages us to return our gratefulness through ethical change to benefit our society.
Like all communities, Ibiza is presented with issues of inequity, environmental concerns, small local businesses in financial difficulty (post-global pandemic), and families struggling to thrive. In this way, we believe we must be part of the solution, advocating for balance, equal opportunities, sustainability, and the health and welfare of all.
"Every individual and citizen group should, together, be accountable for the welfare, health, and safety of their entire community". – Victor, Sales Director & Partners at Prestige Properties, 2021
Our company’s philosophy has actively started working towards a better balance between economic prosperity, environmental protection, and social stability.
Social Responsibility and Community Initiatives
Since 2017, we have prioritised green-living as part of our business education and mindful lifestyle practice at Prestige Properties Ibiza. We have also made a conscious effort to give charitably, utilising our gratitude to help others in the best way we can, and as much as possible.
Our Corporate Social Responsibility aims to:
Make a stand to protect the overall well-being of our island, and the environment, while lessening the negative impacts we create as a company.
Regularly create campaigns through our advertising and social media channels to raise awareness of injustice, environmental issues, charitable and NGO affairs, sponsorships, and volunteering opportunities.
Regularly engage and support charitable giving.
Support small, local businesses with sponsorship and promotion.
Reduce our energy consumption & become carbon neutral
Inform all of our tourism and relocating clients on environmental and sustainable living in Ibiza, through both factual and practical advice
Buy products and services from socially responsible companies, as well as local businesses, thus impacting the island’s sustainability, profitability, and trade.
Our Social Responsibility Action Timeline
Here’s our Social Responsibility timeline so far to date. You can visit our ‘Prestige Goes Green’ blog to see all of our environmental and sustainable CSR activity, however, our community initiatives and ongoing social stability support are listed below.
Supporting Local Businesses
In recent years, Prestige Properties Ibiza has actively collaborated with many local community projects and companies through sponsorship and promotional campaigns.
Cinema Paradiso
In 2017, we sponsored Cinema Paradiso in the Baluarte (a local cultural event here in Ibiza). The Baluard de Sant Pere is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Dalt Vila, which is open to the public. Cinema Paradiso has hosted some spectacular outdoor cinema experiences right here within the charming walls of the old city.
Cinema Paradiso is a local business that dreamed of creating "The Ultimate Cinema Experience". Whether you attend a public screening at one of their varied locations or opt for a private cinema session in your home or villa, the team goes above and beyond to ensure a memorable occasion. The company has provided Ibiza with a great addition to its seasonal cultural activities, and lent towards supporting the tourism industry, necessary for our island’s prosperity.
You can see our sponsorship and cinema advertising on our youtube feature below:
Campos de Ibiza
When you rent a property with Prestige Properties we offer all of our guests a gift pack with products from Campos de Ibiza as part of our rental service. On arrival, a special range of body and hair amenities, created from natural ingredients, originating from our fruitful island, free of parabens, and free from animal testing are waiting to greet you.
We are very pleased to provide a unique gift and support this local family company, which also ensures all of their product containers are recyclable and manufactured in a manner that is sustainable, generating minimal waste.
My Ibiza and Formentera
My Ibiza and Formentera is a must-have guide for any traveler visiting Ibiza. Created by Hjordis Fogelberg, who spent her childhood summers on the island and has developed a knowledge and passion for the island, resulting in nothing less than an authentic travel guide with recommendations for the best sporting activities, top sunset spots, culinary experiences, events, and cultural living. ‘My Ibiza and Formentera’ is personally illustrated by Hjordis herself, making this guide a beautiful souvenir and a little gem of artistic expression.
We are very happy to collaborate on this project by sponsoring the inside front cover since 2019.
The guide is available for sale all over Ibiza island, Mainland Spain, London, Paris, and Holland. To order directly from the author, head to ‘My Ibiza and Formentera’ Facebook and send Hjordis a direct email purchasing request!
Illustration by Hjordis Fogelberg
Cafe de Ibiza
In 2019, we switched our coffee machine from the Nespresso brand which uses plastic capsules, ending up in landfills, to one which grinds fresh coffee beans. From here we decided that our coffee beans should be from a local company. Our decision promotes KM0 transportation, waste reduction, and also supports a locally operating business here in Ibiza! Our chosen coffee now is Cafe de Ibiza.
Charitable Giving
Food for Ibiza
In 2018, we decided to choose a campaign that was both close to our hearts and also directly linked to our workplace, through our colleague Nina Negru: the 4th Edition of ‘One Toy, One Smile’, organised by Food for Ibiza.
Food for Ibiza is a non-profit organisation that has been actively supplying some of the island’s poorest families with food and basic necessities. The organisation solely runs on the support of volunteers and is dependent on the generosity and donations made by the local community.
"One Toy, One Smile" offers the gift of toys and a €25 per head coupon to be spent on a family Christmas menu at their nearby supermarket. At Prestige Properties, we were overly happy to be part of such a wonderful project.
We are very proud to be working with one of the founding members of Food for Ibiza, our colleague Nina Negru, as part of our team of sales agents.
In February 2021, we made a generous donation to Food for Ibiza. The pandemic has resulted in a record number of people in Ibiza struggling and utilising their charitable services. Any kind of food relief and donation is highly needed at this difficult time. To make your own donation or to find out how you can get involved, contact our colleague Nina via the Food for Ibiza Facebook page.
To find out more about our collaboration with Food for Ibiza, check our ‘One Toy, One Smile’ blog here!
In conclusion…
CSR has the potential to positively impact the everyday lives of individuals and families presently here in Ibiza, as well as those future generations who are yet to come. Whether by donating to charitable causes, supporting environmental changes, or considering programs to help people from developing countries, our social responsibility as a community has the power to improve the lives, health, and environment of others.
Together small-scale commitments through CSR programs and personal actions can result in changing someone’s day, creating one small step towards a better future, or even changing the future outcome for our local communities and planet in the years to come.
We believe in Giving Back.
We believe in Going Green.
We welcome you to join us in this pursuit!
Get Involved!
There is no time like the present to give back and to get involved. Ibiza has many projects and NGOs listed on the island where we can all support, donate, activate, and simply ‘do our part’. No matter how big or how small, you can make a difference.
Take a look at our local initiatives here on the island below;
Do you have any questions or need more info? Send us a message and we will get back as quickly as possible!
Prestige Properties Ibiza Goes Green & Sustainable
Living sustainably is no longer a thing of the past, a desirable way of living, or even a questionable affair. In today’s society, with growing populations, CO2 emissions, waste, and increased pollution, it is essential to practice green living as part of our everyday lives.
In a world where most of us have the availability to live beyond our means, we have allowed for problematic statistics of over-consumption, and therefore adverse consequences from our daily choices and excessive living, leading to dangerous levels of planetary changes.
Failure to live in a sustainable way results in our human existence and habitat at risk of harsh environmental and climatic changes with increased temperatures, leading to global warming, as well as unclean air and sanitation, and concerning water and food shortages.
When we strive for environmentally-friendly living, we significantly reduce the impact of extreme environmental changes that could otherwise be very harmful and threatening to our home, Planet Earth, both now and in the future.
Sustainable and Preserved Ibiza
A greener planet means a cleaner environment and a brighter future for all. With a better quality of air, surroundings, and food, we are more likely to be healthier for longer and subsequently, see a long and safe future for generations to come.
At Prestige Properties Ibiza, we understand how privileged we are to live on an island surrounded by nature with an abundance of cultivated land and natural resources, and also how these attributes are precisely what bring both local well-being and prosperity.
Over the past few years, our company’s philosophy has actively started working towards and advocating for an equal balance between economic prosperity, environmental protection, and social stability.
Going Green
There are many ways of going green and living sustainably to help preserve our island’s environment.
Since 2017, we have prioritised green-living as part of our business education and mindful lifestyle practice at Prestige Properties Ibiza, which has enabled us to contribute towards protecting the environment, preservation, and the conservation of our island’s natural resources as much as possible.
Our aim of going green is to:
Reduce our Island’s Overall Pollution
Reduce Resources used, Consumption, and Eliminate Non-Essential Waste
Conserve our Natural Resources, Farmland, and Forest Life
Conserve our Marine, Water, and Terrestrial Resources
Maintain the Natural Ecological Balance – Flora & Fauna
Fast-forward to 2021, Prestige Properties Ibiza ensures every business decision takes into consideration the impact on the environment and also our local community, with a calculated plan of action to guarantee a greener solution.
Our Green Solutions
To be able to fulfill our aims for green-living, we have made many changes to our working environment and daily practices.
Some of our environmentally friendly practices currently include:
Reducing Energy Consumption – Co2 Emission Calculations & Adjustments
Becoming Carbon Neutral and Off-Setting
Purchasing Eco-Friendly Office Items
Recycling and Upcycling
Green Mode Hybrid Cars and Team Carpooling
Raising Money and Sponsoring Sustainable Projects
Reducing Paper Consumption and using 100% Recycled Paper
Collaboration with Local Projects and Preservation Funds
Our Green Timeline
Here’s our green timeline so far to date with changes to our working environment and daily practices. We hope to see and add many more as we learn and improve our sustainable living.
Green Mode Hybrid Cars
In 2017, our managing and sales director Victor switched to a Hybrid Toyota Car. All non-electrical vehicles run on gas, and our gas is a limited and non-renewable resource, which emits harmful pollutants and waste like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen gas into the atmosphere causing severe pollution and global warming via a greenhouse effect.
By changing to a hybrid car, we become more energy-efficient and move towards protecting ourselves against increased environmental pollution and climate change. Hybrid cars, although still partially run on gas, are found to have lower gas mileage, thus improving the gas economy. By partially using electricity, hybrid cars produce fewer toxins, harmful emissions of gas, and pollutants.
Following Victor’s inspiration and role-modeling, our colleague Nina, in 2018 also did the same and switched to a Hybrid car. The majority of our team have agreed that when the time has come for them to change their cars, they will also opt for either an electric or a hybrid model.
Sponsoring Projects – Sabina (Juniper) Trees
In 2018 we sponsored ‘The Sabina Boys’ on their Mongol Rally to raise money for the reforestation of Sabina (juniper) trees in Ibiza’s burnt down forest areas.
"The Sabina Boys", grew up together in Ibiza and participated in the famous charitable challenge "The Mongol Rally". The Mongol Rally is an annual event that covers roughly 30,000 km through mountains and desert, from Europe to Asia. The charity race is supported by an NGO of their choice.
"The Sabina Boys chose the NGO Ibizaconciencia.org and passed their donations to the campaign of "Reforesta Ibiza", where reforestation days were organised by students on the island, re-establishing native forest areas devastated by wildfires.
Prestige Properties proudly donated to their cause, as we also wanted to help and see the replanting of our beautiful and protected Juniper (Sabina) Trees in the burnt areas of the Ibizan landscape.
According to sources of the "Conselleria de Medi Ambient, Agricultura I Pesca", in 2017 there were 95 forest fires that burned 168.1 hectares in the Balearic Islands; of which 71% in Mallorca, 17% in Formentera, 11% in Ibiza, and 1% in Menorca.
Negligence and accidental causes were found at 58% of these claims, while intentional fires were approximately recognised at a staggering 20% of all causes.
In 2018, the Government reinforced the Fire Protection System in Ibiza. Here Prestige Properties Ibiza proposed to ensure better prevention and help lower the risk of forest fire through actively raising the awareness of our clients and tourists, with regular campaigns and advertising over the summer season.
Using less paper reduces your carbon footprint and sustains the environment by preventing trees from being cut down, eliminates energy used to convert a tree into a piece of white printing paper, and prevents plastic consumption from the plasticised paper products. Using less paper also helps to reduce the amount of waste produced by decreasing the refuse sent to landfills or industrial recycling sites.
In 2018, we decided to switch to 100% recycled and chlorine-free paper made in Italy for our printed property magazine, which by 2019 went on to include all our business stationery, such as our business cards and property folders.
In 2020 we decided to reduce our paper consumption further by changing the format, design, and content of our bi-annual magazine to become an annual edition, essentially to reduce and minimise waste.
Also, we recognised our annual magazine did not require unnecessary distribution and wasteful activity. We, therefore, allowed for the magazine to be given directly to clients who asked for a copy, and to a few selected venues on the island, but not for mass-marketing.
Many island real estate companies heavily distribute their magazines across the island, to every home, restaurant, and venue possible. The end-result is these often get left lying around, polluting the countryside, and with many using plasticised brilliant paper, which takes 100s of years to decompose and are left leaking damaging toxins into the ground. With our example we hope to inspire some of our colleagues in the industry to take similar steps towards eco-solutions.
Recycling and Upcycling – Plastic Reduction & Recycling
In early 2019 we switched our coffee machine from the Nespresso and their capsules (which end up in landfills) to a machine that grinds fresh coffee beans (we like to use our local favourite Cafe de Ibiza).
We also invested in plenty of drinking glasses to replace the plastic cups for our water machine, which, additionally, uses glass water bottles that are cleaned and reused rather than sent for recycling. Our single-use plastic consumption has been reduced by almost 90% collectively as a group here since we made these small yet powerful changes. And, of course, we also practice the separation of waste by material to aid the recycling efforts on the island.
Reducing CO2 Emissions – Calculating our Carbon Footprint
In the latter part of 2020 we calculated our Carbon Footprint: Prestige Properties Ibiza emits approximately 18 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Since actively calculating our carbon footprint, we have now received an official manual for reducing our emissions in the office by changing electrical equipment to newer more efficient versions, changing to more hybrid or fully electric cars, switching off all equipment at the end of the day, and keeping air-con’s systems within reasonable temperature limits.
For the future, we are now looking at projects to off-set our footprint, so that we can be a 100% carbon neutral company. So, stay tuned for more information.
Collaboration with Local Preservation Efforts – Ibiza Preservation Fund
In February 2021 we joined forces with the Ibiza Preservation Fund by offering a one-time donation and committing to donating 50€ for every property sale, and 5€ for every rental deal we close. This collaboration is set to be ongoing and indefinite.
Here is some more information on the projects and important work of the Ibiza Preservation Fund.
Going green at home, in the workplace, and as a community offers numerous benefits. If we all work towards sustainable living, and an eco-friendly planet, our home, and all living things receive the best possible quality of life and a hope for a bright time to come.
Prestige Properties Ibiza is proud to be an advocate of sustainability within our industry. Collaborating and working together with our local community and environmental organisations like The Ibiza Preservation Fund enables us to contribute towards the islands’ well-being and future.
Green living helps make Ibiza, and the planet, sustainable and habitable.
We believe in Giving Back.
We believe in Going Green.
We welcome you to join us in this pursuit!
There is no time like the present to give back and to get involved. Ibiza has many projects and NGOs listed on the island where we can all support, donate, activate and simply ‘do our part’. No matter how big or how small, you can make a difference.
Take a look at our local initiatives operating under Sustainability and Green-Living here on the island below:
Do you have any questions or need more info? Send us a message and we will get back as quickly as possible!
Benefits of leaflets made with recycled paper
Compostable leaflets
Aware of the importance of using recycled paper and considering our love for Ibiza and for preserving our island, several years ago we began considering how we could reduce the use of paper at our company. We wanted to implement a responsible use that was commensurate with our environmental awareness and where respect for the environment is one of the main objectives in our daily operations.
In July 2018 we launched our first leaflets made using 100% recyclable paper, chlorine-free and biodegradable. We are the first to do so in our sector and would like for more companies to begin using recycled paper. We understand that conserving our resources is a global issue and therefore, in the following post we would like to show you this technique and introduce some of the most commonly used methods.
Water based inks
Inks are usually made using petroleum based solvents. When these are exposed to water, they contaminate the groundwater and the soil. These inks can also emit volatile organic compounds VOCs that are toxic to humans. These compounds are also ozone precursors and are therefore harmful to health, crops and fields.
The water-based inks that are used for our leaflets notably decrease the emission of VOCs. This reduces the environmental impact and improves the working conditions of employees tasked with printing the leaflets. Another consequence of using inks made using petroleum-based solvents is that the process of cleaning the machines and equipment generate a large amount of VOCs and hazardous waste such as rags. This can be prevented by using water-based inks for printing.
Bleaching of paper
Three methods are used for bleaching the paste during the paper manufacturing process. The method that was previously used and which use has been drastically reduced since 1990 is a method that uses elemental chlorine. This method of bleaching is currently prohibited by the European Union. Another method based on this element is one that uses chlorine dioxide, which is applied to 84% of the paste in the paper that is currently being produced in the world. This component is much less toxic that elemental chlorine but it is not completely safe and its level of toxicity is subject to controversy.
The third method for bleaching the paper paste is one used for producing recycled products. In this case the paste is either not bleached or sodium hydrosulphite is used, which is a completely chlorine-free chemical.
This method, although not widely used since it is only used in 5% of the paper that is produced, provides some advantages. The first advantage is that the paper does not absorb chlorine and therefore is completely bio-compostable. The second advantage is that less water is used for bleaching and a large percentage of it can be reused. The third advantage is that the residual water is much easier to treat when this bleaching method is used.
Leaflets made using recycled paper must naturally degrade without harming the environment. This is why we also need to use water-based and non-toxic inks for printing. Another requirement is that the paper must be bleached using chlorine-free products.
Protecting the environment
Trees are a source of raw materials; the so-called virgin paper paste, for paper producing industries. At least 4000 million trees are felled on the planet each year and the species that are most often subjected to this process are the eucalyptus and the pine.
A suitable collection and separation of paper and cardboard allows for proper recycling these as well as other recyclable materials such as plastic, glass, metal and bio-waste collected in bio-compostable bags; the composting process may be industrial or domestic. The separating of materials in blue containers prevents the paper and cardboard from becoming stained or contaminated, which would make them harder to recycle.
Recycling process
Recycled paper and cardboard may be reused almost entirely considering that 1000 kilograms will generate 900 kilograms of products made with recycled paper. After collecting and separating, the recycled paper paste is cleansed of possible foreign elements and it is separated from the ink. Then, it is subjected to a drying and pressing process to make the paper. You must know that the complete process may be carried out several times but nearly 15% is lost each cycle due to cellulose fibres that are too short.
Benefits of recycled paper
The use of recycled paper plays a major role in preserving the natural resource constituted by cellulose fibres, extending its service life for several cycles. Also, the following positive effects are generated by conducting a good recycling through a proper separation of the collected materials.
1. The use of cardboard and paper waste closes a cycle where new products are produced. You may be surprised to know that 69% of the supplies required by the paper and cardboard industries could be satisfied if all the paper and cardboard waste that is generated was recycled. These materials replace virgin paper paste, thus preventing felling and deforestation.
For every 1000 kilograms of recycled paper, 12 to 14 trees are saved, which equates to 4 cubic metres of wood. We calculate that one tree is saved for each person that recycles or reuses the paper they use in a year.
2. The amount of biodegradable materials that are deposited in waste dumps is notably reduced, thus limiting the emissions of Greenhouse Gases or GHG. A ton of recycled paper saves 2.3 tons of CO2, which would otherwise be emitted to the atmosphere. CO2 is a greenhouse gas and one of the main contributors to climate change.
3. The amount of space required for this purpose is also reduced, thus limiting the degradation of the land. A ton of recycled cardboard and paper reduces the waste reaching the dumps by 3.5 cubic metres.
4. The processes that use recycled paper instead of virgin paper consume 80% less water, which, as you may suppose, results in a substantial savings. One ton of recycled paper saves 26 cubic metres of water. On the other hand, the use of chemical products required in these industrial processes is also reduced.
5. A 70% energy savings is generated when recycled paper and cardboard are used. Recycling 1000 kilograms of paper and cardboard saves 4,000 kilowatts of power per hour. This is due to the cost of the industrial treatment of virgin wood, which is much higher.
6. The atmospheric pollution resulting from gas emissions has been reduced by 74% and water pollution is reduced by 35%. This is the best example of how recycling helps the environment.
7. The development of paper and cardboard waste collection and treatment sectors has a positive impact on the economies by creating new jobs.
8. Conifer or eucalyptus trees that are planted to supply the paper production industry replace the forests comprised of other species of trees, which harms biodiversity.
9. The separate collection of waste at home and at the workplace generate awareness in people regarding preserving the environment and in using renewable resources.
Deforestation
Recycling paper and cardboard prevents deforestation in areas where trees used by the paper production industry grow. For several reasons, deforestation is occurring more frequently in many areas of the planet. One of these reasons is the clearing of forests to produce paper.
Deforestation contributes to accelerating climate change since it decreases the absorption of CO2 by part of the trees. As you well know, another negative effect of deforestation is that it destroys the habitat of the fauna and flora, thus affecting and diminishing the biodiversity of the region.
On the other hand, deforestation leads to a loss of topsoil, since the leaves that fall from the trees degrade by the effect of micro-organisms, which fertilises the ground. Also, the loss of trees alters the rain cycle, decreasing the amount of precipitation. A loss of fertility of the soil and less rain leads to a desertification process, a consequence of which fertile lands become barren and hard to recover.
With this explanation we understand how the use of leaflets made with recycled paper has a positive impact on our planet. You must know that nearly 20% of the waste generated by cities is cardboard and similar type wrapping materials as well as paper used for printing documents, magazines and newspapers. Of this waste, 70% is recoverable.
Different decrees, laws and provisions in Spain as well as the European Union are aimed at setting goals for reducing waste that is recyclable and which unfortunately end up in waste dumps.
At Prestige Properties we are committed to protecting the environment and have implemented the newest and safest processes to preserve it.
Do you have any questions or need more info? Send us a message and we will get back as quickly as possible!
ONE TOY, ONE SMILE – Christmas Charity Campaign
Each Christmas, Prestige Properties Ibiza takes pride in supporting a local charity and contributing to the well-being of those less fortunate in our community. In 2018, we decided to choose a campaign that was both close to our hearts and also directly linked to our workplace, through our colleague Nina Negru, the 4th Edition of ‘One Toy, One Smile’, organised by Food for Ibiza.
The "One Toy, One Smile" Campaign
Christmas is a time of hope and compassion. Children who live in poverty often experience Christmas very differently from what the seasonal retail marketing narratives would have us believe, and also often very different from their friends and peers.
Sharing and receiving a small gift, in the form of a toy has the ability to change a child’s entire perspective, value, self-worth, and simply send a small message of hope.
"One Toy, One Smile" is the perfect addition to offering food to families in need at such an incredibly special time of the year. As well as giving toys, each family also receives a €25 coupon per head to be spent on their own personal Christmas menu at their nearby supermarket. Making everyone feel loved and cared for. At Prestige Properties, we were overly happy to be part of such a wonderful project.
The event was marked by the element of surprise and overwhelming emotions, brought by a simple goodwill gesture to those who needed it most. We are very grateful to the team at Food for Ibiza for their incredible dedication, and for taking responsibility for the success of these initiatives here in Ibiza.
About ‘Food for Ibiza’
Since 2014, Food for Ibiza, a non-profit organisation, has been actively campaigning and helping to improve the quality of life for people in Ibiza, by fighting hunger and supplying some of the island’s poorest families with food and those basic necessities that we often take for granted.
The organisation solely runs on the support of volunteers and is dependent on the generosity and donations made by the local community, like other businesses, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, and private household contributors.
The volunteers from ‘Food for Ibiza’ primarily drive to collection points across the island to pick up donated groceries, such as dried foods like rice, lentils, beans, pasta or canned meat and fish, oil, coffee, cocoa, and cookies and bring them to their warehouse where items are stored, sorted and the packages are prepared for delivery based on every family’s particular need. They are then distributed to the registered families once a month.
We are very proud to be working with one of the founding members of Food for Ibiza, our colleague Nina Negru, as part of our team of sales agents. Nina is a great professional in the real estate market who felt she needed to contribute more directly to alleviating some of the difficulties faced by those struggling to keep up in an economy progressively geared towards luxury and exclusivity.
Fundraising with ‘Food for Ibiza’
In September, Food for Ibiza held its annual fundraising event at the famous ‘Children of the 80’s’ Party at the Hard Rock Hotel: to enter the party you simply had to bring 3 kilograms of non-perishable food.
Nina Negru stated that the collection at this event proved essential in helping low-income families from the island during the winter ahead.
Poverty in Ibiza – The Facts
We live on an island that is known for its wonderful surroundings and its affluent and privileged lifestyle. It is often difficult to believe or even notice that some people experience very difficult and extreme situations of poverty and desperation. Some people have very little income, food, are homeless, or have few resources and opportunities.
From Prestige Properties Ibiza, we want to bring visibility to some of the charity initiatives that are organised by different associations of Ibiza. It is paramount we see the island as a whole and with equal opportunities for all, and where there are inequality and needs, we desire to stand together to make a difference and create long-lasting improvements for the health and well-being of our local community.
If you want to volunteer your time or get involved, check out the links below. Your support and help will be greatly appreciated by those who are struggling to care for themselves.
Do you have any questions or need more info? Send us a message and we will get back as quickly as possible!
Let’s plant a Sabina!
Four young men from Ibiza, nicknamed "The Sabina Boys", who grew up together and were schoolmates, José Fernández, Guillaume Desager, Patrick Nagel and Andrés García, left on July 10th from Ibiza and are driving to Mongolia, arriving at the end of this August, they are participating in the famous charitable challenge "The Mongol Rally" that was created in 2004.
The Mongol Rally is an annual event that attracts people who like adventure and are keen to take on the challenge, the journey covers roughly 30,000km through mountains and desert, from Europe to Asia. Without support equipment, driving a basic vehicle, in their case a Renault Kangoo, and without an established route. It is a charity race in and each team supports an NGO of their choice.
"The Sabina Boys" chose the NGO Ibizaconciencia.org and will pass their donations to the next campaign of "Reforesta Ibiza", where reforestation days will be organized by students of schools on the island, re-establishing native forest area devastated by fires. Their aim is to replant one juniper (Sabina), at least, for every 100 kilometers traveled.
At Prestige Properties we also want to help replant the burnt areas of the Ibizan landscape. Planting the junipers (sabinas), make them grow and help our beloved island retain it’s native flora and fauna. For this reason, Prestige Properties is donating € 500 to "The Sabina Boys" through the NGO Ibizaconciencia.org for the reforestation of the island.
Do you have any questions or need more info? Send us a message and we will get back as quickly as possible!
All against the fire in Ibiza!
Prestige Properties with the Campaign for the Prevention of Forest Fires 2018
According to sources of the "Conselleria de Medi Ambient, Agricultura I Pesca", in 2017 there were 95 forest fires that burned 168.1 hectares in the Balearic Islands; of which 71% in Mallorca, 17% in Formentera, 11% in Ibiza and 1% in Menorca. Negligence and accidental causes have caused 58% of the claims, while intentional fires have been approximately 20%.
This 2018, the Government has reinforced the Fire Protection System for this summer season in Ibiza. This campaign began on May 1st and will continue until October 15th due to the high risk of fires throughout the Balearic Islands, Ibiza and Formentera will see their capacity to prevent and fight fire increased.
Therefore, Prestige Properties has proposed to participate in the prevention of forest fires of our beloved island with this announcement of prevention and self-protection of forest fires:
In addition, we want to offer a Forest Fire Prevention Guide addressed to the owners of the Fincas within the forest or near them, which you will find in the following link: Forest Fire Prevention Guide
Do you have any questions or need more info? Send us a message and we will get back as quickly as possible!
Posidonia Oceanica
From time to time you will see masses of seaweed washed up on the beaches of Ibiza. It is in actual fact that it is not seaweed but a plant which has adapted to living under the ocean called Posidonia Oceanica.
The Posidonia oceanica (commonly known as Neptune Grass or Mediterranean tapeweed) forms large underwater meadows that are an important part of the ecosystem. The fruit is free floating and known in Italy as "the olive of the sea" (l’oliva di mare). Balls of fibrous material from its foliage, known as egagropili, wash up to nearby shorelines.
In May 2006, a team of international scientists discovered a Posidonia oceanica plant between the islands of Formentera and Ibiza measuring 8 km long and estimated to be more than 100,000 years old.
It grows horizontally and can cover large areas of the seabed, and it also grows vertically leading to the formation of barrier reefs, which can reach 2m in height. Posidonia oceanica stabilises the seabed and protects the coastline from storms.
Each year, the first autumn storms deposit large quantities of its dead leaves on the coast, creating yet another natural barrier by preventing beach erosion and protecting the sand dune systems.
Ibiza, June 2016
Do you have any questions or need more info? Send us a message and we will get back as quickly as possible!
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