The 19th-century townhouse was rebuilt to be as energy-efficient as possible. The roof is a double-layer insulated roof. The main and joined walls are all thermally insulated. The windows are double-glazed with the original wood structure lift for better heat rupture. The Garden Pavilion suite which was the new addition was constructed all in metal. We use an energy meter to keep track of our consumption and areas where we can improve. The majority of our electricity comes from renewable sources: 25% comes from hydraulic energy and 17% comes from wind energy. We always choose energy-efficient appliances and electronics (A+ energy grade or above). All our lights are LED.

To save water, we use a water meter to keep an eye on consumption and if there is a leak. Our aromatic garden is watered with rainwater stored in the ancient well of the property, reducing the use of the local water supply system. To further protect our water, we do not use toxic cleaning products or harsh chemicals.

When the townhouse was remodeled, we aimed to reuse and repurposed as many things as possible. The original wood structure and the wood flooring of the house were kept. Things like tiles, old doors, signs were reused and you can see them adding character to our townhouse today. The majority of our furniture is restored vintage.

In order to keep our guests happy, we provide the best quality materials without sacrificing our ecological standards. The sheets and towels we use at ROSA ET AL Townhouse suites are made out of natural 100% cotton. To make sure clients are serene, we do not have TVs in their suites. All suites in the townhouse have thermostatic control which saves energy and makes clients comfortable. Most of the furniture in the suites is restored vintage. In the suites, we leave reminders for our guests to use towels sparingly. The change of linens is reduced to a minimum in direct articulation and communication with the guest specific needs and desires. This reduces the daily impact of hotel laundry on the environment.

Our toilet paper is recycled from RENOVA’s eco-friendly-range. The rolls are made of fibers from a previous life. They have no dyes and they are chlorine-free and fragrance-free. The range has the Euro Eco-Label and is FSC ® Certified. We have our information such as directory and menus in digital format to send to our guests instead of using additional paper. And to make sure the air quality remains high in our townhouse, we have a no-smoking policy in all of our suites and our indoor areas.

If you have ever eaten at ROSA ET AL Townhouse or in our restaurant Early Cedofeita, you know the importance we give to seasonal and local ingredients. Sharing nature’s seasonal food is not only good for our environment, but it is good for our health too. We are proud to say that we buy locally or we produce in most things we serve. This not only reduces our food miles, but it also favores local businesses over large corporations that oftentimes cause devastating impact for the land and wildlife.

It would be easier and cheaper to get them commercially, but that is not our concern. Sustainability and good farming and producing practices are more crucial for us. We visit Porto’s organic markets every weekend and buy fresh vegetables and seasonable fruit. We work with some of the best organic suppliers and traditional producers. Every week we receive a basket full of organic vegetables and fruits. Our partners and producers are people that are ethically aligned with our values.

We work with local small-scale producers to provide our guests with the greatest quality, to help our community grow and to protect our environment by avoiding long-distance shipping. For our fruits and vegetables, we choose small producers that use organic means to grow their food. Our seeds, flour and grains are all organic and we always buy certified organic when possible. We select food from sustainable fishing and farming sources. Our coffee is provided and roasted by a start-up specialty coffee roaster in Porto. They are ethically-sourced single-origin beans that come from small farms in Latin America and in Africa.

Some of our fruits, vegetables, herbs and aromatic tea come straight from our lovely garden. Products arrive in reusable containers and crates. Besides that, we are always working with suppliers to reduce unnecessary packaging and use eco-friendly packaging. We do not sell plastic bottles at ROSA ET AL Townhouse, we use our GROHE BLUE filter for natural or sparkling water and we make our own natural juices. In the bar, we carry bottled water, tonics and juices in glass containers.

Our takeaway packaging is 100% compostable or recyclable. Our meal containers are made of plant-based materials. They are biodegradable and compostable in accordance with EN13432 and they are Ok Compost-certified. For drinks and salads, we use cardboard cups with recyclable polystyrene lids. For small sauce containers, we use sugar cane bio packaging. For our takeaway utensils, we use 100% natural biodegradable and recyclable bamboo.  No food goes to waste in our ROSA ET AL Townhouse.

We believe in maximizing our resources to minimize our waste. This is not only one of our most important policies, but it is also a part of our lifestyle. All organic material including our coffee grounds gets picked up by a municipal service to be converted into farming soil.

Cooking fresh and not in bulk also helps reduce waste. We do not deep fry any food, which leaves us with no fat waste. Making homemade foods including our yogurts, butter, jams and bakery goods eliminates unnecessary waste, packaging and transportation.

Our recycling policy is strict and it is articulated with the local municipal services. We recycle glass, paper and any packaging we use such as milk containers. Glass jars are reused to make our home-made yogurts and jams. We use energy-efficient appliances including a dishwasher which reduced our water consumption by 30%. We do not use gas stoves in the kitchen.

Through training, our team follows our green policies and environmental protection practices. They are always searching for ways to improve their environmental roles and responsibilities. This includes using less paper by taking orders digitally and communicating via email. If any paper is used, it must be recycled. Other materials such as light bulbs and batteries go into the appropriate recycling bins. And to minimize our carbon footprint, electronics including the coffee machine, air-conditioners and lights are to be switched off when not in use.

When devices are charged, they do not remain plugged into the energy source. To avoid water waste, our employees are trained to pay close attention to any leakage in the townhouse as part of their daily routine. When leaks are suspected, our plumber is called immediately to investigate. Our open-door policy allows the staff to participate in our environmental efforts if they find ways where improvements can be made.