In contemporary hospitality, speaking of sustainability means speaking of competitiveness, responsibility, and innovation. At Costa Verde, we embraced more than two decades ago the conviction that environmental and social management could not merely be about legal compliance, but rather an essential part of our identity.
Our commitment has been certified from an early stage: since 2003 we have held the ISO 14001 standard, concerning Environmental Management Systems, and since 2015 the ISO 50001 standard, for Energy Management. Alongside these, we also hold ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and SA 8000 certifications, which demonstrate the integration of quality, health, safety, and social responsibility within a coherent, cross-cutting management strategy. In 2014, we strengthened our global position by joining the United Nations Global Compact, adopting its ten principles on human rights, labor conditions, environment, and anti-corruption.
More than numbers, we speak of tangible results. At Costa Verde, we have implemented pioneering circular economy measures, such as the integration of almost 100% of raw material waste before the thermal process, the transfer of 98% of industrial waste for recovery by other companies, and the recycling of treated water at our treatment plant. On the energy front, we highlight the installation in 2011 of a heat recovery unit, which reuses hot gases from kilns and significantly reduces gas and electricity consumption. Added to this is investment in renewable energy: currently, around 25% of the electricity consumed comes from our photovoltaic power plant, with 18,000 m² of solar panels and an installed capacity of 1MW, with gradual increases in production expected over the coming years.
Innovation is another cornerstone of this journey. Projects such as Endless, developed in partnership with Clementin Atelier, arise from transforming waste from our water treatment plant into unique pieces, created with distinctive design and fully aligned with the principles of ecodesign and the circular economy, having been awarded the National Sustainability Award. Research in collaboration with the University of Aveiro, through the Flashpor project, is also paving the way for alternative firing processes, with lower energy consumption and a substantially reduced carbon footprint.
Costa Verde’s commitment also extends across the value chain. We select suppliers who share the same values of environmental and social responsibility, assessing them not only by price or quality but also by certifications, sustainability practices, and alignment with our Code of Ethics. Our most significant suppliers undergo regular audits, ensuring that the entire supply chain meets strict standards of ethics and sustainability.
The future of sustainability at Costa Verde involves strengthening transparency with clients, partners, and the community. In 2025, we will anticipate the preparation of our Sustainability Report, already complying with the requirements of the European CSRD directive ahead of the mandatory deadline. This will be an essential step in giving visibility to the environmental and social impact of our activity, as well as to the measures we take daily to mitigate it.
At Costa Verde, we believe that sustainability is not a destination but an ongoing journey of innovation, efficiency, and responsibility. A path we are proud to walk side by side with our partners around the world, ensuring that Portuguese porcelain continues to be synonymous with quality, design, and commitment to future generations. This is how we reinforce the trust of those who share this vision with us.
