OUR GREEN CAMPING IN SAN FELICE DEL BENACO

OUR GREEN CAMPING IN SAN FELICE DEL BENACO

What it means to us to run a sustainable campsite on Lake Garda

There is a word we hear often in our industry: sustainability. It gets used a lot, sometimes too much, to the point of losing its true meaning. We prefer concrete action: turning values into everyday choices, into real actions that truly make a difference. We grew up here, among the olive trees and the waters of Lake Garda. This land is not just the setting in which we work, it is part of who we are. Every decision we make, from the way we produce energy to how we manage waste, stems from a deep sense of responsibility: towards the place that is home to us today and will be home to future generations, including yours.

Our concrete commitment to the environment

Here is what we at Europa Silvella are doing:

Renewable energy and solar power

The sun that lights up Lake Garda does much more than warm our days: it powers the campsite. Through two photovoltaic systems, with around 500 panels across 1,000 square metres of roofing, a significant share of our energy needs is covered by renewable sources. In numbers:

• 210 kWp of total installed photovoltaic capacity;
• ~200,000 kWh of green energy produced every year;
• ~33% of annual energy needs covered internally;
• 60,000 kg of CO₂ saved every year.

Our Eco Green mobile homes go even further: fitted with solar panels on the roof and cork insulation walls, they offer superior thermal comfort and reduced energy consumption.

We also continuously monitor the energy impact of the entire facility and introduce new solutions every year to make the campsite more efficient.

E-bikes and sustainable mobility at Europa Silvella

Getting around the lake sustainably is possible, and we want to make it easy for everyone. We offer:

• 7 electric charging stations: 4 for guests, 1 for staff, 2 for company vehicles;
• E-bikes, traditional bicycles and electric scooters available for hire directly on site;
• E-bike charging station with multiple slots.

For any information, please ask at reception: we are happy to help you plan your green route around Lake Garda.

Click here for information on on-site rentals.

Less plastic at the campsite: 40,000 bottles avoided

Reducing plastic is not a trend: it is a necessity. Here is what we have done in practice:

• 40,000 plastic bottles avoided every year thanks to our microfiltered water machine, which dispenses still or sparkling water from the local network;
• 300 kg of plastic eliminated every year thanks to refillable dispensers in 150 accommodations, replacing single-use kits;
• 5,000 kg of CO₂ saved every year by eliminating bottles and single-use items;
• Compostable cornstarch tableware at the bar.

You can do your part too. Use reusable glass bottles: you will find the refill point at the campsite entrance, near the mini club. And if you are short of a water bottle, you can find one at reception or at the on-site minimarket.

Waste, water and greenery: our sustainable management

Water, for those of us who live by the lake, is the most precious resource. That is why we manage water carefully:

• Low-flow taps in the bathrooms that reduce water use by 50%;
• Rainwater collection in dedicated tanks for reuse in irrigation.

On the waste front, we focus on thorough separate waste collection and progressive reduction of waste:

• Dedicated bags in every mobile home for easy sorting from day one;
• Eco-stations spread throughout the campsite and clearly signposted;
• Digital communication to minimise paper use.

For our green spaces, we follow a natural and measurable approach:

• We plant only native species, suited to the climate of Lake Garda;
• Chemicals kept to a minimum to preserve ecosystem balance;
• An agronomist who analyses every tree and plant on site each year;
• Battery-powered equipment: no emissions, no noise.

Respecting the green areas and leaving everything as you found it is the best way to preserve them for those who come after you.

DOP olive oil and local supply chain: our roots

Our roots in this land run deep: the Giustacchini family has been producing DOP extra virgin olive oil for generations, harvesting olives on the hills between San Felice del Benaco and Puegnago del Garda, and is among the founding members of the local agricultural cooperative, created to support small local producers. We work with wineries and farms around Lake Garda that share our commitment to the environment and authenticity. A short supply chain means fewer journeys, fewer emissions and more authenticity. If you want to take this spirit beyond the campsite, the weekly markets in the lakeside villages are the right place to go.

Families and nature: environmental education at the Mini Club

At Europa Silvella we believe that a holiday can also be an opportunity to learn, for children and adults alike. The entertainment team organises activities designed to bring guests of all ages closer to the themes of nature and biodiversity:

• Creative workshops at the Mini Club using recycled materials: bottle caps, rolls and boxes become creative tools;
• A teaching garden where younger guests plant and follow the growth of plants, learning about natural cycles;
• Bug Hotel in the playground, with information panels in four languages about pollinating insects.

We want you to go home not only with a wonderful memory, but also with a greater awareness of the natural world around us.

Conclusion

Sustainability is not a destination, it is a process made up of continuous choices and adjustments. So far, we have accomplished a great deal:

• 60,000 kg of CO₂ saved every year thanks to solar power;
• 40,000 plastic bottles avoided every year;
• 150 plastic-free accommodations with refillable dispensers.

But we know the road ahead is still long. Getting to the campsite remains an open challenge: most guests arrive by car, and we are exploring ways to make the journey to us more sustainable. We move forward with humility and with the hope that open-air tourism, done with care, can become a real example: proving that quality hospitality and respect for the environment are not in contradiction, but two sides of the same coin.

See you soon on Lake Garda! Your #campingwithlove