SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is a way of life at Six Senses Vana which is quite evident in its design, art, materials,
water management, plastic free approach and textiles made only with natural fibers. From the outset,
the retreat was conceived on the Green Building Concept to be a part of the existing landscape, Sal
forests, Mango plantations, and Lychee trees. Awarded LEED Platinum status in 2015, we are India’s
first Retreat to have attained this standard of environmental design. Interiors ensure natural ventilation
in enclosed areas, and exteriors are lush, left to their most organic and natural form.

Since the early days of Vana, sensitivity to ecology has played an intrinsic role in its thinking, creating,
and maintaining harmony with the natural world. Energy, water, and waste are managed effectively in
LEED Platinum certified buildings, and all textiles and solvents are sourced in compliance with
sustainable standards. These principles are aligned to core values at Six Senses, communicated
through the Earth Lab, where guests are encouraged to be the change they want to see during hands-
on and light-hearted workshops. Regenerative travel experiences will offer guests a tangible
connection to the local community and wildlife projects, infusing their Vana journey with purpose and
positive impact.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Six Senses Vana has been designed to ensure that all guests practice an energy-efficient means of
habitation while on retreat. In order to achieve this, we carefully monitor our energy use in all spaces.

Six Senses Vana achieved LEED Platinum status in 2015 making it India’s first retreat to have
attained this standard of environmental design.

From the outset Six Senses Vana was installed with 99% LED lighting to ensure maximum energy
saving. Thanks to ‘Variable Frequency Drives’ on our motors, we regulate energy consumption to be
as low impact as possible. Energy use from our HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and
plumbing systems are determined on a ‘Revolution Per Minute’ basis.

Our ‘In Com Control’ system detects whether the room is occupied through motion-sensors, ensuring
that lighting and heating are only in use when the guests are in the room. Even at night outdoor
lighting is kept to a bare minimum, both to create minimal disturbance to the nocturnal habitat and
mindfully preserve energy.

WATER CONSERVATION

Rainwater is harvested and our efficient water treatment plant ensures that the recycled water is then
used for irrigation over Six Senses Vana’s 21 acres; ensuring nature is nourished naturally, without
extra consumption of resources. Thanks to specially designed faucets on our taps, wastage of water
is minimal.

Having our own bottling plant further allows us to reduce the use of single use plastics by a 100,000
plastic bottles per year.

Through solar heating, we are able to heat a sizable amount of water at the retreat for consumption.

CUISINE

Cuisine at Six Senses Vana connects many aspects of our philosophy. Nature and ecology are
forever present in how the seasons and our supply chain influence menus.

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Our emphasis is on the procurement of seasonal, local and indigenous produce, which allows us to
develop a supply chain that is as sustainable as possible, working with a network of regional vendors.

As a rule, we do not airfreight in any ingredients, instead prioritising local food products, occasionally
bringing in (seasonal) food by road from certain regions of India.

Packaged or canned food products are minimal; instead the emphasis is on making almost all our
produce from scratch. We make our own version of classic cheeses like cheddar, feta, and haloumi
with low sodium and without any preservatives. Also homemade are miso, kombucha, ghee, nut
butters and paneer.

Our cuisine practices not only make the food healthier and more nutritious for our Vanavasis, but also
reduces our carbon footprint.

CONSCIOUS CONSUMPTION

We are committed to textiles made only with natural fibres. Our guest clothing and team uniform is
made from 100% cotton with no synthetic fibres. We source the cotton for our retreat attire from an
organic cotton farm in South India that adheres to the highest organic standards. Likewise, all bed and
bath linen are organic.

Our decision to use FSC-certified wood (bamboo flooring in all our rooms) and disposable cotton
inner-wear is in line with our other efforts to lower our overall impact on the surroundings.

We use karess paper (100% post-consumer recycled paper) for all guest stationery and
communication and encourage ‘use-one-tissue-at-a-time’ practice with gentle signage to discourage
excess.

Green Seal-certified solvents help us minimise harm to the surrounding natural growth and fauna,
hence leaving a milder impact on our environment.

Essential oils keep away insects and small creatures around the Retreat without causing them or their
habitat any damage. With soy wax T-light candles and biodegradable garbage bags, we create
minimal stress on the environment.

Six Senses Vana is maintained with low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints and polish, making
the space extremely low-risk for one’s health while renovating or conducting maintenance.

RECYCLING AND UPCYCLING

Recycling and up cycling are integral to daily life at Six Senses Vana. Our practice of up cycling, for
example, ensures that our linens are not discarded, but converted into durries. Any waste oils are
transported for recycling to Bharat Oil. Our electronic waste is responsibly transported to the certified
recycling centers in India. Acupuncture needles and other biohazard by-products are disposed at the
Max hospital.

SIX SENSES VANA–A WELLNESS RETREAT | SIXSENSES.COM/EN/RESORTS/VANA|

@SIXSENSESVANA | +91 135 3511111