ECO-OPERATIONS
On Chumbe Island, lodge establishment and operations are closely controlled and monitored in order to minimize any environmental impacts.
All buildings on the island (7 eco-bungalows, visitor’s center and staff quarters) were constructed according to state-of-the-art eco-architecture including rainwater catchment, vegetative grey water filtration, composting toilets, solar water heating and photovoltaic power generation. The walkways, nature trails and beach areas are not artificially illuminated at night – a measure taken to protect feeding and breeding patters of nocturnal animals such as the giant Coconut crabs. For our guests individual solar powered torches are available on request.
Solid Waste Management
Zanzibar does not have a regional solid waste management system in place and solid waste is usually burned in the streets or thrown in illegal dumps, creating a multitude of public health concerns and environmental hazards. Therefore, we encourage all our guests to avoid bringing plastic bags/bottles and disposable batteries to the island.
To help reduce the amount of solid waste produced, Chumbe also controls and restricts the numbers of visitors to the island and avoids the purchase of non-biodegradable products. Where possible, goods are transported in locally made, biodegradable baskets. Non-cooked fruit & vegetable waste is successfully composted on the island, while non-biodegradable waste is brought back to Zanzibar where Chumbe has been working together with a private waste operator that focuses on the collection, processing and selling of recyclable waste, both locally and internationally.
Community Involvement
Rather than sourcing products and services from abroad like many large-scale resorts in Zanzibar, Chumbe works with local craftsmen, artisans, fisher, and other workers to supply furniture, art, yogurt, soaps and other products and services for the island. Sourcing products and services locally both support the local economy and help garner community support for our environmental conservation projects. Our small boutique on the island also features NGO and community products such as the beautifully, up-cycled art products from Creative Solutions. Below are a few examples of community members that contribute to Chumbe’s success:
Rat eradication & control of invasive species
Materials imported onto Chumbe Island are carefully screened to avoid any non-indigenous elements intruding into this spectacularly 
preserved environment. Such practice was unfortunately not in place in the early 1900’s when rats were accidentally introduced onto the island. However, after the successful conclusion of the rat eradication campaign in May 1997, managed by CHICOP with support from specialists from Cork University in Ireland and the Zanzibari Plant Protection Division, the island was freed from this non-indigenous species and the island’s flora improved conditions further for the nature reserve.
