Replacing current chemical processes with more environmentally benign alternatives is an increasingly attractive subject. In particular, fundamental reactions that are frequently used in large-scale synthesis are in urgent need of improvement using new techniques to develop green and sustainable chemistry. Recently, we found that [HfCl₄·2THF] and [ZrCl₄·2THF] are highly effective catalysts for direct ester condensation using equimolar amounts of carboxylic acids and alcohols. This is one of the most ideal methods for preparing esters and polyesters not only because it gives the highest atom efficiency but also it gives the lowest E-facor. However, these metal(IV) chlorides are moisture-sensitive, and are gradually decomposed to inactive metaloxy chlorides by hydrolysis. We report here that [HfOCl₂·8H₂O] and [ZrOCl₂·8H₂O] are highly effective and water-tolerant catalysts for direct ester condensation and a very simple procedure for their recovery and reuse. Notably, zirconium(IV) salts such as [ZrOCl₂·8H₂O] and Zr(OAc)x(OH)y are potential green catalysts due to their low toxicity, commercial availability at low cost, ease of handling, high catalytic activity, and reusability. In addition, our new system for recycling of catalysts using water is economically and environmentally superior to recent biphasic systems using fluorous solvents and ionic liquids.