• The Riu Playa Park, Riu Concordia, Riu Bravo, Riu Festival and Riu San Francisco in Playa de Palma, as well as the Riu La Mola in Formentera, have received this certification
• One of the priorities of the Proudly Committed strategy is to transform the chain towards a more circular business model, and this certification is an opportunity to learn and implement it in all of RIU’s hotels

This milestone is a great step forward in the chain’s commitment to sustainability and also represents a valuable opportunity for RIU to adapt these circular economy plans and implement them in the rest of the chain’s hotels, located in 21 countries on four continents (Africa, America, Asia and Europe), in line with the Proudly Committed strategy.

These plans are intended to instigate a profound transformation in the operation of the hotel industry, in accordance with Law 3/2022, of 15 June 2022, concerning urgent measures for the sustainability and circularity of tourism in the Balearic Islands. This endorsement from Spain's leading certification body goes beyond the legal requirements and makes this project an important step forward in the company’s global sustainability strategy.

“One of the Proudly Committed strategy’s priority goals is to move towards a more circular business model. This AENOR certification, in addition to the Zero Food Waste certification we gained in early 2024, allows us to assess our model, analyse the results and propose continuous improvements so we can continue moving towards this goal,” says Lola Trián Riu, Director of Sustainability at RIU Hotels, who adds that “the Balearic Islands are the birthplace of large holiday hotels, and this model has been implemented worldwide. Now we have the chance to lead the way once again, this time by sustainably transforming the sector.”

Ángel Luis Sánchez, director of the Mediterranean Region at AENOR, wanted to highlight “the importance that companies like RIU Hotels, which are strongly rooted in society and have an enormous impact on the population, make an effort and undertake to protect the environment, adopt good corporate governance and benefit the local community of the Balearic Islands. The AENOR Circular Economy and recent Zero Food Waste certifications are proof that they are setting an example for locals and visitors alike on the islands.”

The Mallorcan chain is committed to a model that minimises waste and maximises value by using resources efficiently and extending their useful life. This includes initiatives such as recirculating materials within hotels or converting biowaste produced in the company’s establishments into high-quality compost. This compost is used by local farmers, thereby promoting sustainable agriculture and the use of locally grown products in the hotel restaurant. The chain has another initiative in collaboration with the La Fiore glass factory to recycle glass. The hotel collects and sorts used bottles, which are then transformed into new artistic glass utensils by La Fiore. RIU then buys these objects to use in the hotels, thus closing the recycling cycle. The company also has several new initiatives in the pipeline.

RIU's circular economy plans for its hotels in the Balearic Islands include energy audits and consumption monitoring, renewable energy self-supply and the incorporation of energy efficiency and automation systems.

Based on the methodology of the Balearic Islands Tourism Strategy Agency (AETIB), these plans involve performing a circular evaluation, planning measures and goals and carrying out an internal analysis to help ensure that strategies are updated and in line with changing global circumstances. In order to achieve the goals, different indicators are defined along with the corresponding objectives and targets in priority areas of action, such as energy, water, materials and waste, responsible food purchasing, training, recruitment and awareness raising.