Our Sustainability Policy

Samui Elephant Home is dedicated to promoting ethical, responsible, and sustainable tourism that benefits elephants, the environment, and local communities. We operate transparently and in accordance with the three pillars of sustainability — economic, social, and environmental — while ensuring that every action we take contributes positively to conservation and community well-being.

Elephant Welfare

Our elephants are at the heart of everything we do.

We strictly follow international and Thai standards for animal welfare, including those of Thailand tourism standards, ABTA, and ACES.

Our commitments include:

• No riding, performance, or any activity that causes harm, stress, or unnatural behavior to elephants.
• Promoting education-based and observation-based experiences where guests learn about elephant behavior, biology, and conservation.
• Ensuring that all elephants have access to sufficient food, water, space, veterinary care, and opportunities to express natural behavior.
• Regular staff training in welfare, safety, and responsible visitor interaction.
• Continuous monitoring and recording of each elephant’s physical and psychological health.

Environmental Stewardship

We recognize our responsibility to protect the natural environment that supports our elephants and community.

Samui Elephant Home commits to reducing our ecological footprint by:

• Implementing waste segregation stations and promoting the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” principle.
• Minimizing the use of single-use plastics, encouraging refillable bottles and sustainable packaging.
• Conserving water and energy, including low-flow systems and natural ventilation in facilities.
• Using locally sourced and eco-friendly materials wherever possible.
• Conducting environmental awareness campaigns for staff, guests, and local schools.
• Monitoring environmental performance (waste, water, energy) and reporting progress quarterly.

Local Community Empowerment

As a proudly local organization, we believe sustainable tourism must uplift the people who live here.

We support and empower the Samui community by:

• Partnering with local farmers, artisans, and small businesses to supply food, crafts, and services.
• Providing employment and fair wages to local residents, particularly youth and women.
• Supporting education initiatives such as school visits, conservation workshops, and scholarships.
• Encouraging cultural preservation and respecting local traditions and spiritual sites.
• Collaborating with government and NGOs to address social and environmental challenges on the island.

Ethical Business Conduct

• We uphold fairness, transparency, and respect for all individuals.
• We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, or background.
• We do not exploit partners or communities and seek mutually beneficial relationships.
• We operate under fair competition and will not engage in defamation, unfair pricing, or unethical marketing.
• We expect all suppliers and partners to comply with legal, ethical, and environmental standards, and we evaluate them accordingly.

Wildlife harvesting

Wildlife species are not harvested, consumed, displayed, sold, or traded, except as part of a regulated activity that ensures that their utilization is sustainable and in compliance with local, national and international law. The supplier does not promote souvenirs or food that contain threatened flora and fauna species as indicated in the CITES treaty and the IUCN ‘Red List’. Should any such criminal behavior come to light, [the company] reserves the right to terminate the contract without notice.

Responsible Purchasing

We do not support souvenirs which contain threatened flora and fauna species  as indicated in the CITES treaty and the IUCN ‘Red List’, any illegally obtained historic/archaeological artefacts, drugs or illegal substances, and abide by local and international laws in place to prevent this.

Samui Elephant Home prioritises sustainability in procurement:

• Purchase locally produced goods to reduce CO₂ emissions.
• Use fair-trade coffee, tea, and cleaning products where possible.
• Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
• Source souvenirs and materials from community-based producers supporting local livelihoods.

Energy and Water Management

To reduce our environmental footprint:

• Air conditioning and lighting are operated only when necessary; all devices are switched off after use.
• We prioritise energy-efficient appliances and natural light.
• Water conservation is promoted through low-flow systems, rainwater collection, and staff education.
• Wastewater and hazardous materials are disposed of responsibly in cooperation with licensed local partners.

Waste Management

• Separate bins for organic, recyclable, and general waste are installed across the property.
• Composting organic waste to create fertiliser for local farms and elephant-food plantations.
• Continuous collaboration with Samui’s waste-sorting initiatives and recycling stations.
• Hazardous and electronic waste is disposed of responsibly in coordination with certified facilities.

 Sustainable Experiences and Marketing

Our company ensures that no marketing and advertisement document, statement, or other publication, shall contain misleading information, over advertise and under deliver. We guarantee that all our staff are aware of and ensure that what is offered can be delivered to our clients with ease

• All guest experiences are designed to be educational, non-exploitative, and community driven.
• Marketing communications are honest and transparent, never overstating our practices.
• We encourage guests to participate in sustainability actions, such as waste cleanups, tree planting, or eco-workshops.
• We share updates on our sustainability progress via the Samui Sustainable Journey blog and social media.