1. Do you have a written environmental or social sustainability policy?     YES/NO

If yes, please attach.

1. Do you have a written environmental management system?                  YES/NO

If yes, please attach.

1. Describe the property – aim, size, facilities, amount of land owned and leased  (150 words max)
   

Matava Resort is a small and intimate getaway designed to blend in with its natural environment. Traditional thatched Fijian bures nestled on the edge of the rainforest look out over the Pacific ocean and Great Astrolabe barrier reef. It is the resort's policy to minimise our impact on the environment and to promote and support ecologically sound conservation measures in our community.

1. Describe the location, including distance to nearest town and size of town (100 words max)

Matava is located on the south side of Kadavu Island, the fourth largest island in Fiji. Nearest village, Kadavu Koro, only 2  miles away, where most of our staff are from. Nearest city is the capital, Suva, which is 63 nautical miles over the Kadavu Passage.

1. Describe WHY you made the decision to develop an eco resort (100 word max)

“We very much wanted to be part of the community and that fits exactly with what is expected by the locals. It's easy enough - you basically visit the villages, drink a lot of Kava [a ceremonial drink with pleasingly narcotic effects] and have a load of fun. The actual business is usually over in a few minutes, so it's really all about liking each other. I think the worst thing here is for foreigners to try to hide away.”

Introduction to the Butterfly Club’s Eco Rating

The Butterfly Club Eco Rating has five equally-weighted categories:

1. Energy;
2. Water;
3. Recycling and waste;
4. Land and nature conservation; and
5. Community.

Each category has five levels, designated by one to five butterflies.  Through self assessment, resort operators completing this rating will determine their own levels within each category based on their responses to items listed below. 

Two categories – energy and water – have similar rating systems with Levels 1 and 2 addressing conservation of existing resources, and Levels 3, 4 and 5 addressing creation of renewable energy or capturing water. 

Level five in every category also requires written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record consumption; (2) test and apply additional conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific targets.   We require a copy of your policies if you achieve level 5 in any category.

Energy

Levels 1 and 2 - conservation: Check all that apply:

_YES__  use natural air circulation and fans, not air conditioners
_YES__  use natural light during the day
_YES__  minimize use of fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines and equipment
_YES__  use “on demand” or solar heating for hot water
_YES__  air dry clothes/linens
_YES__  wash dishes by hand
_YES__  use energy efficient appliances and electronics
_YES__  use low wattage fluorescent light bulbs
_YES__  change linens, tablecloths, napkins upon request
__YES_  switch off lights when not used
Other energy conservation activities? Please list:
 
Level 1 = four or fewer energy conservation activities

Level 2 = five or more energy conservation activities

Levels 3, 4 and 5 - renewable energy: Indicate proportion (%) of energy from each source:

__100%_  solar
__0%_  wind
_0%__  hydro
_(sometimes)__  small 4 stroke petrol low emissions and noise generator (only used as back-up/emergency in case of storms/cyclones)
__0%_  public utility
Other energy sources? Please list:

100% TOTAL
How were these proportions developed?

From the beginning Matava was developed in this way. It was not 'retro-fitted' but designed from the ground up as sustainable and environmentally sensitive and low impact.

Level 3 = renewable energy is employed and is less than 1/3 of all energy

Level 4 = renewable energy constitutes 1/3 – 2/3 of all energy

Level 5 = renewable energy constitutes 2/3 or more of all energy.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record energy consumption; (2) test and apply additional energy conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific energy targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Energy Level 5 (required).

Done by separate emails.

Alternative Power Solution
To power the new Main Bure Complex and administration office Matava has installed a new state-of-the-art solar power system. This system has been sized and installed with enough capacity to totally negate use of any generator to run the Main Bure Compex.
Although the resort  maintains a small generator as a backup to the solar system, the current capacity does not require this to be used unless in emergencies (such as cyclones!). The resulting lack of background noise and 'generator hum' is a central important factor in making Matava stand alone in the outer island resorts.
The bures are powered by independent solar power systems, each in a cluster of 3 bures per system. These systems provide lighting in all bures.
All lighting in the resort is low wattage and LED's to both reduce power usage and reduce background environment lighting. This minimises disturbance to the local wildlife and environment caused by excessive lighting.
Matava is leading the country in alternative power solutions for resorts both in the main central complex and the bures, without any guest having to lose simple comforts.

Your Energy Level (select 1 – 5) =   5

Water

Levels 1 and 2 - conservation: Check all that apply:

_Yes_  low flow faucets and showerheads
_Yes_  low water use toilets
_Yes_  change linens, towels, tablecloths, and napkins upon request
__Yes_use table mats that can be wiped and not laundered
_Yes_  use biodegradable laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap
_N/A_  treat swimming pool with chlorine-free processes  (NO POOL)
Other water conservation activities?  Please list.

Level 1 = three or fewer water conservation activities

Level 2 = four or more water conservation activities

Levels 3, 4 and 5 – capture and treat fresh water and manage waste water. Capture water: Indicate proportion (%) of water from each source:

__95%_  spring
__0%_  river
__5%_  rain  (we catch water on top of the header tanks to 'top up' during times of rain)
_100%__  reuse gray (all grey wtaer drains go into gardens around bures)
__0%_  public utility
Other water sources? Please list.
100% TOTAL
Fresh water treatment: how is captured fresh water treated?
__100%_  naturally.  Indicate method: charcoal, ultraviolet light, other? List:                                  
_0%__  chemically.  List chemicals used:
Waste water management:
_100%__  septic tanks
__0%_  cesspools
__0%_  other? List methods:
Our septic tank systems have secondary and tertiary systems in the form of sealed wetlands.

Level 3: Water is captured (from springs, rivers, rain or prior use) and constitutes less than 1/3 of water from all sources.  Water is treated chemically.  Water disposal does not minimize damage to coral reefs and rain forests

Level 4:  Captured water constitutes 1/3 to 2/3 of all water.  Water is treated naturally. Water disposal minimizes damage to coral reefs and rain forests

Level 5:  Captured water constitutes more than 2/3 of all water.  Water is treated naturally. Water disposal minimizes damage to coral reefs and rain forests.   In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record water consumption; (2) test and apply additional water conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific water targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Water Level 5 (required).

Done, sent as separate email.

Your Water Level (select 1 – 5): 5

Recycling and waste

Check all that apply:

__Yes_   use durable service items, e.g. cups, glasses, dishes, tableware, storage items
__Yes_   buy fresh and local to reduce packaging and emissions from transportation
__Yes_   purchase in bulk to reduce packaging
__Yes_   recycle paper, glass, plastic, aluminum
__Yes_   minimize emissions from fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines & equipment      
__Yes_   zero waste in the kitchen
__Yes_   serve local water, not bottled water
__Yes_   cleaning products are biodegradable
__Yes_   compost organic matter
Other methods to recycle waste? Please list.
All our kitchen waste is recycled either to the organic composting system (vegetable matter) and others are collected for feeding to the local communities pigs

Level 1 = four or fewer recycling activities

Level 2 = five recycling activities

Level 3 = six recycling activities

Level 4 = seven recycling activities

Level 5 = eight or more recycling activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record recycling and waste; (2) test and apply additional recycling and waste conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific recycling and waste targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Recycling and Waste Level 5 (required).

Done as separate email.

Responsible Waste Management
Waste management on the outer islands is critical to ensuring the environmental impact is minimised. Matava's waste management program reuses and recycles most of it's waste. The kitchen operates producing a minimum amount of waste. ALL waste must be sorted and deposited in the specially marked bins in the designated disposal area outside the kitchen food prep area.
These bins comprise of the following and each of these wastes have specific disposal procedures:

1. Vegetable matter: Bin is emptied daily into the composting bin in organic farm
2. Food waste: collected daily by village to be fed to pigs
3. Paper and combustible waste: incinerated in incinerator at back of resort
4. Tin cans and drinks cans: crushed and stored for shipping to mainland for recycling monthly
5. Glass bottles: broken into pieces and buried in dispersed land fill

Your Recycling and Waste Level (select 1 – 5): 5 

Land and nature conservation

Check all that apply:

_Yes__   minimize tree removal when building
__Yes_   use only botanical (plant-based) herbicides & pesticides in garden & grounds
__Yes_   maintain organic gardens as food source for resort
__Yes_   use biodegradable cleaning products
__Yes_   minimize external illumination
__Yes_   take additional specific actions to preserve the local habitat.  Please list actions and projects:

Marine Reserves

Working in conjunction with our neighboring village of Kadavu Koro, we have established a marine reserve from the boundary of the Matava foreshore extending out to encompass the opposite Waya island. This area is protected from any sort of fishing, shell collecting and reef walking.
We have also helped the village of Nacomoto establish a marine reserve in their waters.
Each time we dive there, we make a contribution to the village. This clearly benefits all parties. The diving is superb, the village gets income and the fish have a sanctuary to breed.
Our divers often dive in the Naiqoro Passage marine reserve and we make further contributions to support this initiative.
Our guests are asked to make a small voluntary contribution to these marine reserves when they check-out. This money is used in their support and to promote marine conservation measures taken by our local villages.

Education

Each bure contains an information pack which includes advice on how guests can avoid damaging coral and marine life. The main bure has an extensive reference and information folder on coral reefs and their asociated marine life.
Matava Resort is supporting the efforts of local community school Govourners to have the Fiji national curriculum include a class on marine and terrestrial conservation and sustainable resource management.
The new class is expected to begin trialling in all Kadavu Island schools from early January 2009. If it is deemed successful, it will roll out over the whole country and become part of the National Curriculum.

 
Level 1: one or two land and nature conservation activities

Level 2: three land and nature conservation activities

Level 3: four land and nature conservation activities

Level 4: five land and nature conservation activities

Level 5: six or more land and nature conservation activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record land and nature conservation activities; (2) test and apply additional land and nature conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific land and nature conservation targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Land and Nature Conservation Level 5 (required).

Your Land and Nature Conservation Level (select 1 – 5): 5

Community

This category addresses policies and activities regarding staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the community. 

Check all activities that apply:

_Yes__  hire staff residing near the resort          __95_% local nationals
__Yes_  use local suppliers                                _80__% purchased goods produced locally
_Yes__  re-invest resort income locally            _100__% income re-invested locally
_Yes__  pay above local prevailing wage
__Yes_  pay into local social security  (Fiji National Provident Fund, FNPF)
__Yes_  provide health insurance or coverage (private in house, and Fiji has fully socialised medicine and hospital)
__Yes_  use regular staff meetings to educate staff about sustainable processes throughout the resort, in the garden, with waste disposal, etc
__Yes_  provide educational awareness programs for staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the local community
__Yes_  provide sustainable transport to work for staff
__Yes_  take additional specific actions to support the local community. Please list actions and projects.
Level 1: one or two community activities

Level 2: three to five community activities

Level 3: six to seven community activities

Level 4: eight to nine community activities

Level 5: ten or more community activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record community activities; (2) test and apply additional methods to support the community; and (3) work towards specific community targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Community Level 5 (required).

The community has benefited through employment, training and education. We use locally owned infrastructure for accommodation and transport, are committed to spreading the financial benefits amongst local people and operators. We choose locally owned accommodation where available and local restaurants and markets for dining, retaining revenue in local communities provide employment and leadership opportunities for local people. We respect local customs and culture. We also provide support to organizations and local communities around Matava as well as communities visited by Matava expeditions and adventures.

Your Community Level (select 1 – 5): 5

YOUR OVERALL ECO SCORE (add your level for each category and divide by 5and enter the result with the decimal point, e.g. 3.6):  5

We have three final questions which are not part of the eco rating: 

1. Please describe your single most important eco achievement:

Totally zero emission due to the entire resort running on solar power.

1. Indicate additional sustainable practices that you plan to institute within the next 6 months.

We are instituting further programs in the schools and local clinics through our Matava Foundation in support of USA based NGO's who want to send supplies.

1. Is there anything else you would like to add to this eco rating?

Yes add awards/certifications already won:

e.g. For Matava:
Awards:
ACCREDDITATION: AAA Green STAR Rating (1st awarded in Fiji)
WINNER: PADI Asia Pacific Member's Award 2009 in the category Project AWARE Marine Environmental Award 2009
FINALIST: AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2008 Category: Accommodation (Quality)