Eco Rating Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge

Do you have a written environmental or social sustainability policy?     NO

If yes, please attach.Do you have a written environmental management system?              NO

If yes, please attach.

Describe the property – aim, size, facilities, amount of land owned and leased  (150 words max)
Our goal is to provide a clean, environment to our guests in a natural setting leaving as much natural habitat for the wildlife as possible, while creating jobs for the local people. We have 50 acres of land with 5 cabanas, a restaurant/ meeting facility, gifts shop. The property is situated on the Macal River in the jungles of western Belize.

1. Describe the location, including distance to nearest town and size of town (100 words max) Located off of the Mountain PineRidge Road in the jungles of western Belize. We are located 8 miles outside of Santa Elena/San Ignacio.
2. Describe WHY you made the decision to develop an eco resort (100 word max)We love this environment and see the importance of preserving as much as possible in order to save the indigenous plant species of which few have been studied and many of which contain medicine. We at the same time are trying to preserve the habitat for some of the more than 400 species of birds found in Belize. We are also trying preserve habitat for the diverse animal species found here too.

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 Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge 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 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:

__90_  solar
___  wind
___  hydro
__10_  generator
___  public utility
Other energy sources? Please list:

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 – 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) =   4

Eco Rating Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge 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
__  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
__10_  rain
___  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:
___  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 Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge 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
__x_   minimize emissions from fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines & equipment
___   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.
Take glass, bottles and jars to the village to be reused for oil, honey, and canning
Most of our bottled water is in reusable 5 gallon containers, which we carry to the water suppliers,

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 Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge Land and nature conservation

Check all that apply:

__x_   minimize tree removal when building
___x   use only botanical (plant-based) herbicides & pesticides in garden & grounds
___   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.  Please list actions and projects: We do not disturb the environment surrounding the compound. We do maintain the approximately 3 miles of nature trails on the grounds.
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 Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge 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                                _100__% 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
___  provide health insurance or coverage( if one of my workers should get sick or injured I take them to the doctor and cover the expense
__x_  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. Closing a local illegal dump, help with Wisom Foundation for the arts, donate needed materials to local village, help educate locals when they cannot afford and when I am able.

Level 1: one to two community activites

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): 4

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

Please describe your single most important eco achievement: Creating local jobs, starting local cottage industry for neighbour making furniture from renewable resources. Creating a nearly pressure free environment while bringing income to a poor area with few jobs.

Indicate additional sustainable practices that you plan to institute within the next 6 months. I plan to train employees in better waste management.

Is there anything else you would like to add to this eco rating? We use only biodegradable insecticide in a very localized manner to control termites, ticks, fleas, ants, and rats only