Eco Rating Majahuitas

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

If yes, please attach.

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

If yes, please attach.

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

The grounds at Majahuitas covers 18.5 acres including the beach, mountains and seasonal spring that runs through the property. The lobby and eight different “casitas” are built around the cove, all with spectacular views of the ocean. Small decks are located on the beach for meals, along with hammocks and lounge chairs. Up river from the beach and in the mountains is a private massage area. We also have an overlook on a cliff, 65 feet high, with views of the bay. Our goal is to provide a place where people can come and get away from the worries of everyday life, placing values on personal service, while remaining environmentally sustainable.

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

Majahuitas is a half hour boat ride from Puerto Vallarta, on the south side of the Bay of Banderas. The airport is one hour and a half away. Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s most visited cities and has a population of 350,000.

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

Our desire was to create a unique experience for guests unlike anything else available in the region. In a world of chain hotels, we believed people preferred smaller intimate settings with personal attention and catered service. The eco aspect of the business was one more way to provide a unique service while staying true to our values on social responsibility.

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.

Eco Rating Majahuitas 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
___  use energy efficient appliances and electronics
___  use low wattage fluorescent or LED light bulbs
___  change linens, tablecloths, napkins upon request
___  switch off lights when not used
Other energy conservation activities? Please list:
All rooms and lobby rely on solar power for lighting.

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:

_80%__  solar
___  wind
___  hydro
_20%   generator
___  public utility
Other energy sources? Please list:

100% TOTAL
How were these proportions developed?
The hotel has 10 separate buildings; they all rely on solar energy. The generator only powers kitchen refrigerator and appliances.

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 Majahuitas Water

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

_X_  low flow faucets and showerheads
_X_  low water use toilets
__  change linens, towels, tablecloths, and napkins upon request
___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.
Xeric Gardens, Towel re-use program, rain water collection for irrigation

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:
___  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): 5

Eco Rating Majahuitas 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
_X__   cleaning products are biodegradable
_X__   compost organic matter
Other methods to recycle waste? Please list.
We have pet pigs to dispose of organic waste.

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 Majahuitas 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:
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

Eco Rating Majahuitas 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                                _30__% purchased goods produced locally
_X__  re-invest resort income locally            _5__% income re-invested locally
_X__  pay above local prevailing wage
___  pay into local social security
_X__  provide health insurance or coverage
_X__  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
___  provide sustainable transport to work for staff
___  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): 3

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):             4.2

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

1. Please describe your single most important eco achievement:

I think our most important achievement has been conserving Majahuitas as virgin territory. The grounds look almost exactly the same as when we arrived 15 years ago. All incorporations where always made with our surroundings in mind, to create the least possible change to the land. The beach is much cleaner and the flora is more extent thanks to different gardening efforts.

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

Majahuitas is a nesting ground for the endangered leatherback turtle. It has been a desire of ours for the last year to begin a turtle preserve. We want to dedicate a portion of the beach to encourage their reproduction by providing protection from predators. We are currently working on making this project a reality.