Eco Rating El Jardin

1. Do you have a written environmental or social sustainability policy?     YES
   Vision
   Our goal for El Jardin is to revitalize this marvelous piece of property into an eco-friendly, sustainable haven for folks to escape to in these very busy and stressful times.  We are committed to working with the Yelapan pueblo so that together we can work toward an integrated and resourceful community.

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

If yes, please attach.
Currently working on

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

It is 2 acre property that is leased from a local yelapa land owner. The center consists of  a large kitchen
and living area, four open-air palapas for sleeping with private bathrooms.  The property has ocean on the front side and jungle on the back.  There is a bamboo stand behind the casas that we are working at preserving and improving.

1. Describe the location, including distance to nearest town and size of town (100 words max)El Jardin is in Yelapa, Mexico, 45 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta on the Banderas Bay on the Pacific ocean.  It is a short 10 minute walk to the pueblo. Yelapa is a small fishing village with a population of approx 1500. There are no cars or roads, it is only accessible by water taxi or boat.
   Describe WHY you made the decision to develop an eco resort (100 word max)We fell in love with this beautiful community and have a great respect for the local Yelapan people, also, a great appreciation of the natural beauty of this area. Our goal and dream is to make a difference in this community by helping preserve the way of life for the local indigenous people,  the local plant, animal and sea life.  This we plan to do by having a commitment  to sustainable living and being eco minded so as to help protect this unique and environmentally sensitive habitat.   We want  to work with the community toward these goals and be an example to those who visit.

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.

Eco Rating El Jardin Energy

Levels 1 and 2 – conservation: Check all that apply:
 
__x_  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 or LED light bulbs
__x_  change linens, tablecloths, napkins upon request
__x_  switch off lights when not used
Other energy conservation activities? Please list:
Two Envirolet Composting toilets active on site
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
__100%_  public utility
Other energy sources? Please list:

100% TOTAL
How were these proportions developed?
We are in the process of developing the solar plan

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).

Your Energy Level (select 1 – 5) =  2

Eco Rating El Jardin 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
_x_  use biodegradable laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap
_N/A_  treat swimming pool with chlorine-free processes
Other water conservation activities?  Please list.
We currently have two composting toilets. We are setting up grey water filtering systems off of the washing machine and all sinks and showers.  Rain water retainers are also in the works for being installed this summer.
 
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:
 
__80%_  spring
___  river
__10%_  rain
__10%_  reuse gray
___  public utility
Other water sources? Please list.

100% TOTAL

Fresh water treatment: how is captured fresh water treated?
___  naturally.  Indicate method: charcoal, ultraviolet light, other? List:
filtered and ultraviolet
___  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
 
Eco Rating El Jardin 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
___  minimize emissions from fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines & equipment
_x__  zero waste in the kitchen
_x__   serve local water, not bottled water
_x__  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 

  
Eco Rating El Jardin 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
__x_  use biodegradable cleaning products
__x_  minimize external illumination
__x_  take additional specific actions to preserve the local habitat.
__x_   Landscaping with native plants
Please list actions
and projects:
Restoring native bamboo stands, developed a plant nursery of local native plants.

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):=4

Eco Rating El Jardin 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          _99__% local nationals
__x_  use local suppliers                                _80__% purchased goods produced locally
__x_  re-invest resort income locally            _100__% income re-invested locally
__x_  pay above local prevailing wage
__x_  pay into local social security
__x_  provide health insurance or coverage
___  use regular staff meetings to educate staff about sustainable processes throughout the resort, in the garden, with waste disposal, etc
__x_  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.
___  Have enrolled your staff in any personal green training/certification schemes such as ecohelpline.com green leaf certification.

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): =3.6

We have three final questions which are not part of the eco rating: 
 
1.    Please describe your single most important eco achievement:
Installing two composting toilets.

2.    Indicate additional sustainable practices that you plan to institute within the next 6 months.
Improve grey water system
3.    Is there anything else you would like to add to this eco rating?
We have only had the property for two years and are committed to continuing our development of making this property sustainable.