Do you have a written environmental or social sustainability policy? YES/NO
If yes, please attach.
NO
Do you have a written environmental management system? YES/NO
If yes, please attach.
NO
Describe the property aim, size, facilities, amount of land owned and leased (150 words max) We are located on the banks of the Rio Pina in the Portobelo National Ecological Preserve. We are 200m from the beach on approximately 1/2 acre. We have 2 guest rooms furnished with locally made furniture and quality mattresses. We have a beautiful back terraza where guests can listen to howler monkeys roar and watch for frequently viewed toucans. It has comfortable seating, ceiling fan, hammock, and a Barbeque Grill. Our goal is to help our guests discover and enjoy this tropical paradise, while having a low impact on the environment.
Describe the location, including distance to nearest town and size of town (100 words max) We are approximatly 2 hours by car or local bus from Panama City, on the Caribbean coast. We are 14 km past Portobelo, and 4 km before Isla Grande. Puerto Lindo has perhaps 300 residents. There are 2 small stores and 2 small restaurants. It sits on an incredible bay ringed with coral reefs and dotted with islands teeming with wildlife. The entire area is under conservation covenants which protect the natural beauty.
Describe WHY you made the decision to develop an eco resort (100 word max) I have always loved the blue waters of the Caribbean. I have worked as a registered nurse most of my adult life, while being active in the environmental movement I took my vacations exploring the Caribbean and looking for the ideal spot to create an environment where I could make my living helping others to enjoy the wonders of the area without harming it. When I saw Puerto Lindo, I knew I was home.
Introduction to the Butterfly Club's Eco Rating
The Butterfly Club Eco Rating has five equally-weighted categories:
Energy;
Water;
Recycling and waste;
Land and nature conservation; and
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:
both___ use natural air circulation and fans, not air conditioners
__x_ use natural light during the day
__x_ minimize use of fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines and equipment
_x__ use "on demand" or solar heating for hot water
_x__ air dry clothes/linens
_x__ wash dishes by hand
_x__ use energy efficient appliances and electronics
_x__ use low wattage fluorescent light bulbs
_x__ change linens, tablecloths, napkins upon request
_x__ 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:
___ solar
___ wind
___ hydro
___ generator
_x__ public utility-all public except our water system
Other energy sources? Please list:
We have a gravity water system which provides 90% of our usage. Pumped water is only used when guests want hot showers or to run the washer.
100% TOTAL
How were these proportions developed?
Level 3 = renewable energy is employed and is less than 1/3 of all energy
Level 4 = renewable energy constitutes 1/3 to 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).
Your Energy Level (select 1-5) = 3
Water
Levels 1 and 2 - conservation: Check all that apply:
_x_ low flow faucets and showerheads
_x_ low water use toilets
_x_ change linens, towels, tablecloths, and napkins upon request
_x__use table mats that can be wiped and not laundered
__ use biodegradable laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap
__ treat swimming pool with chlorine-free processes
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:
_90__ spring
___ river
_2%__ rain
___ reuse gray
___ public utility
Other water sources? Please list.
private well-8%
100% TOTAL
Fresh water treatment: how is captured fresh water treated?
_x__ naturally. Indicate method: charcoal, ultraviolet light, other? List: No treatment, I drink roof captured rainwater . Guests are offered bottled water.
___ chemically. List chemicals used:
Waste water management:
_x__ septic tanks
___ cesspools
___ other? List methods:
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).
Your Water Level (select 1 – 5): 4
Recycling and waste
Check all that apply:
_x__ use durable service items, e.g. cups, glasses, dishes, tableware, storage items
_x__ buy fresh and local to reduce packaging and emissions from transportation
_x__ purchase in bulk to reduce packaging
__x_ recycle paper, glass, plastic, aluminum -aluminum and glass
_x__ minimize emissions from fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines & equipment
_x__ zero waste in the kitchen
___ serve local water, not bottled water
___ cleaning products are biodegradable
_x__ compost organic matter
Other methods to recycle waste? Please list.
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).
　
Your Recycling and Waste Level (select 1-5): 4
Land and nature conservation
Check all that apply:
_x__ minimize tree removal when building
___ use only botanical (plant-based) herbicides & pesticides in garden & grounds
__x_ maintain organic gardens as food source for resort
___ use biodegradable cleaning products
_x__ minimize external illumination
___ take additional specific actions to preserve the local habitat. Please list actions and projects:
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): 2
Community
This category addresses policies and activities regarding staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the community.
Check all activities that apply:
_x__ hire staff residing near the resort 100 ___% local nationals
_x__ use local suppliers _95__% purchased goods produced locally
_x__ re-invest resort income locally _90__% income re-invested locally
_x__ pay above local prevailing wage
_x__ pay into local social security
___ provide health insurance or coverage-coming soon!!
___ use regular staff meetings to educate staff about sustainable processes throughout the resort, in the garden, with waste disposal, etc
___ provide educational awareness programs for staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the local community
_x__ provide sustainable transport to work for staff
__x_ take additional specific actions to support the local community. Please list actions and projects. I volunteer as a nurse in the local clinic. We sponsor beach cleanup days.
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).
Your Community Level (select 1-5): 4
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): 3.4
We have three final questions which are not part of the eco rating:
Please describe your single most important eco achievement: I feel our gravity water system which we have shared with our neighbours is our best eco achievement
Indicate additional sustainable practices that you plan to institute within the next 6 months. We are still researching suppliers for eco-friendly cleaning supplies. They are difficult to obtain in our area.
Is there anything else you would like to add to this eco rating? Linton Island, located in our local bay is now protected as a research station jointly operated by the University of South Florida and the university of Panama. Many wonderful monkeys may be observed by kayak.