This amazing property has received numerous awards & honors for its eco-friendly & sustainable efforts and practices. It receives TOP Honors in our EcoExcellence AwardTM Program.
For more information on Finca Rosa Blanca
On Site Sustainability Review for Finca Rosa Blanca
| PROPERTY INFORMATION | ||||
| Property Name | Finca Rosa Blanca | |||
| Telephone Number | CR( 506) 2269-9392US 1-(305)-395-3042 | |||
| City | Santa Barbara | |||
| Country | Costa Rica | |||
| DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS | ||||
| Site Design | ||||
| Comply with local zoning requirements | Yes | |||
| Respect the natural or cultural heritage surroundings in site location, design, impact assessment, and land rights and acquisition | Reforested hillside formerly used as motor cross track. Use organic and free flowing shapes for all of the buildings to visually flow into the landscape. | |||
| Recycle job site construction waste(including green waste and existing structures) | Yes | |||
| Site and foundation drainage – sloped grade,protected drain tile/French drains, foundation floor drains | Yes | |||
| Conserve resources by increasing density | Yes | |||
| Building orientation for maximum energy efficiency | Yes | |||
| Reduce Heat Island Effect on site/ minimize areasof pavement & walls of heat absorbing surfaces | Yes | |||
| Private or semi-public outdoor gathering placewith natural elements | Yes | |||
| Access for persons with special needs. | Yes | |||
| Walking & bicycling paths | Yes | |||
| Preferred parking for hybrid & electric vehicles | No gasoline powered vehicles allowed past Reception gate. | |||
| DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE (continued) | ||||
| Exterior & Structural | ||||
| Locally appropriate principles of sustainable constructionusing regional materials and technologies. | Yes | |||
| Structural materials of natural, rapidly renewable,reclaimed or high recycled content | Timbers reclaimed from highway construction waste or fallen timbers used. Bamboo used for ceiling framing. Recycled plastic roofing tiles. | |||
| Windows placed for effective passive solar control | Yes | |||
| Structural design to create stack effect for air circulation | Cabinas have cupula with ventalation | |||
| Thermal mass in floors/walls | concrete, tile | |||
| Breathable wall materials | stucco walls | |||
| Foundation Drainage System | Yes | |||
| DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE (continued) | ||||
| Energy & Water | ||||
| Renewable energy source: Solar, wind, Geo thermal for power | On grid using regional utility company which primarily uses renewable sources. Solar pathway lighting. | |||
| Renewable energy source: Solar, wind, Geo thermal for hot water or tankless on-demand water heaters | Solar and On-demand, tankless water heaters | |||
| Renewable energy source: Solar, wind, Geo thermal for hot water /or tankless on-demand water heaters for pools | Solar (non-photovoltaic) heated tubing water heating system for pool. | |||
| Daylighting with windows, skylights & solar tubesto replace lighting fixtures | Cupulas as skylights | |||
| High efficiency ceiling fans, lighting and signage– LED lamping preferable | Yes | |||
| Monitoring of energy consumption and energy savings campaign | Electrical and water metering devices for locatingleaks and monitoring consumption. | |||
| Certified wastewater treatment systems | Plans for bio-digester system that would generate methanes gas from organic matter. Possibly one to fuel kitchen for cooking and one to fuel the coffee roaster. | |||
| High efficiency toilets(Dual Flush or ≤ 1.28 Gallons Per Flush (gpf) best) | Yes | |||
| Efficient water filters where necessary to provide safe & bathing drinking water with regular water quality testing | Yes | |||
| “Solar” dryer (clotheslines) | Yes | |||
| Monitoring of water consumption and water savings campaign | Yes | |||
| DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE (continued) | ||||
| Indoor Air Quality | ||||
| No VOC bio-based or low VOC recycled content paints, finishes and sealers | Yes | |||
| Hard surface flooring instead of wall to wall carpeting | Yes | |||
| Operable windows, skylights, and/or solar/high efficiency ventilation fans for cross ventilation | Yes | |||
| Moisture resistant material in wet areas: Kitchens, Bathrooms, | Yes | |||
| Breathable, hygroscopic wall & floor materials | Yes | |||
| LANDSCAPING | ||||
| Protect topsoil and minimize disruptionof existing plants & trees | Restored | |||
| Storm water control to prevent erosion | Rainwater is managed through a series of tubes and drainsumps, which supplies a pond, then feeds surrounding foliage and fruit trees. | |||
| Permeable paving | Yes | |||
| Use native species only, no invasive species | Reforested with over 2500 native species trees and Chusquea clumping bamboo used for groundwater control and straws. | |||
| No plant species that require shearing | Yes | |||
| Group plants by water needs (Hydrozoning) | Native iris help to prevent erosion and absorb water | |||
| No toxic pesticides | Only natural, non-toxic versions used. | |||
| Local Water Ordinance requirement | Yes | |||
| Resource efficient landscapesusing materials present on site | Yes | |||
| Minimal turf in landscape | Yes | |||
| Recycled greywater and rain water | Plans for greywater system near pool. | |||
| Community garden | Yes | |||
| Site furniture of regional rapidly renewableor recycled materials | Yes | |||
| Shielding of light fixtures and directing light downward | Yes | |||
| FIXTURES & FURNISHINGS | ||||
| Natural, rapidly renewable, or non toxicreclaimed or high recycled content material | Reclaimed woods used for tables, bamboo for dining room chairs. | |||
| Regionally sourced materials | Yes | |||
| Shower curtains & linens of natural fibers, bio-based fibers or recycled content, non-toxic synthetic fibers | Bed linens natural cotton, towels of bamboo fibers. | |||
| MAINTENANCE & PURCHASING | ||||
| No VOC bio-based or low VOC recycled content paints | Low VOC – Paintura Sur / Protecta | |||
| Nontoxic, natural cleaners, soaps, sanitizers, pesticides, etc. throughout the hotel | Yes | |||
| No air fresheners or deodorizers | Yes | |||
| Bath linen reuse program | Yes | |||
| Recycling program | Yes | |||
| Composting program | Yes | |||
| Refillable dispensers vs. disposable | Yes | |||
| Chlorine & algaecide free pool maintenance | Using ionization techniques for 25 years, saving about $50,000 by not purchasing chlorine | |||
| Two sided printing on recycled content, bleach free paper | Some paper is banana, mango or papaya based. | |||
| Bulk purchasing & in reusable or recyclable containers | Yes | |||
| Local purchases – within 30 miles or Regional purchases – within 200 miles | Majority of supplies come from property or local merchants. | |||
| Fair Trade purchases | Gift shop items. | |||
| Food grown / raised on siteor locally using organic / sustainable techniques | All organic, primarily from own organic gardens. | |||
| Reusable or biodegradable, non-petroleum basedcups, plates and cutlery | Yes | |||
| Ongoing sustainability training program for employees | Yes | |||
| Biodiesel or electric property owned vehicles | Yes | |||
| COMMUNITY POLICIES | ||||
| Equitable hiring practices for women and minorities, in all positions, and no child labor. | Yes | |||
| Hiring and training opportunities provided to local citizens first. 60% or higher | 95% from local community. | |||
| Compliance with international or national legal protection of employees including fair living wages. | Yes | |||
| Employees are provided with housing, food, healthcare or other benefits beyond pay | Social security and continuing education paid for. Loan programs offered. Christmas bonus. Profit Sharing. | |||
| Basic services, (water, energy, or sanitation), are not disrupted to local communities, by actions on property. | Yes | |||
| Contributes to the protection of local historical, archeological, culturally, and spiritually important properties, and does not impede access to. | Donations made to Barva Volcanic National Park and reforestation. | |||
| Local art, architecture, or cultural heritage incorporated in operations, design, decoration, food, or shops. | Yes | |||
| Sustainability education for guests / suggestion cards | Yes | |||
| Participates in local or regional environmental protection programs. | Ongoing educational program for school children on environmentally correct use of the land. | |||
| Donations made to local community | 5% of bar and restaurant profits to local school, Children’s Food Bank, and 2 recycling centers. Solicited Food Bank donations from local stores. Provide skill building workshops for local women. Donations to Red Cross. Donated automatic turn off faucets to local school. Donation to Barva Volcano National Park. | |||
| Our Recommendations |
Even though they are difficult to find in Costa Rica, we recommend making it a high priority to find sources for zero VOC paints and finishes. The sealers used on the new tile floors in our cabana were toxic, and had an adverse affect on indoor air quality.
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