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ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY POLICY

Lejos Eco Retreat is committed to environmental sustainability, responsible tourism, and its obligation to the community. We strive to reduce our ecological and carbon footprint resulting from the hotel operations and believe that greater progress can be achieved when responsible actions are the result of a shared effort between hosts and guests. As part of this effort we engage in the practices outlined below:

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WASTE MANAGEMENT

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With limited or  mostly non-operational recycling facilities on the Island, waste management becomes an everyday challenge for the the people of Vieques. Being a small island with limited resources in only one of the many unique challenges that contribute to this sobering reality. As a response, we try to avoid creating waste in the first place using as a model de concept of zero-waste. The waste we do create, we segregate and recycle onsite to the extent possible and dispose of what we can't in a responsible manner. Some stuff we do:

  • Compost all food waste and use for our in-house organic garden. Organic waste from landscaping is used as mulch and compost.

  • We are a single-use plastic free facility: we offer no plastic bags, straws or plastic bottles of any kind.

  • We've replaced plastic water bottles for in-house filtered glass water bottles and offer complimentary filtered water refills.

  • Reduce paper waste by only printing when necessary and always re-use paper by printing on the reverse side.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

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We support environmental awareness and conduct training. We’ll adopt environmental training as an ongoing practice.

  • We strive to practice Corporate Social Responsibility by building a socially responsible company.

  • We only use only biodegradable laundry detergents and cleaning supplies.

  • We’ll strive to use locally-sourced ingredients for our meals and beverages.

  • We’ll plant an herb and vegetable garden. We’ll also plant various tropical fruit trees.

  • We’ll support local, sustainable business.

ENERGY CONSERVATION

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We are committed to use cleaner and more efficient energy sources to increase sustainability and conservation. 

  • Our container guest rooms are strategically places where they benefit the most from _____ tradewinds ---- and most hours of smart sunlight....-------

  • Container guest rooms benefit from a hybrid, mostly off-grid energy system that provides clean solar power.

  • We use LED lighting in all our facilities.

  • All of our kitchen and laundry appliances use propane-gas.

  • To the extent possible, we air dry our laundry to conserve energy.

  • Guest rooms are equipped with occupancy sensors to help us conserve energy.

  • We use solar-powered water heaters.

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MARINE CONSERVATION

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We are committed to the conservation and protection of Vieques’ costal and marine ecosystems. In particular, we support efforts that advance the conservation of Vieques’ Bioluminescent Bay and endangered species.

  • We’ll promote education and awareness of the marine environment by informing all visitors about responsible snorkeling and diving behavior.

  • We’ll discourage our guests and hosts from feeding wildlife and fish, while encouraging them to leave all debris, shells, coral pieces and sand on the beach or in the reef. 

  • We won’t sponsor or recommend any destructive night-fishing activities for guest amusement.

  • We’ll only recommend responsible and certified tour operators.

  • We won’t sell any shells or coral in our gift shop.

WATER CONSERVATION

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We believe in the conservation of water as a way to reduce energy consumption, reduce pollution and conserve resources. 

  • We use rain water harvesting as the main resources for potable water to our container guest rooms.

  • We use bio-gardens to --------- gray waters and to return to -----------

  • We use low flow aerators on all our faucets and shower heads.

  • We offer a Towel & Linen Management Program that encourages guests to help us conserve water.

  • We use rain water for landscaping and for our organic garden.

  • Landscaping activities focus on natives plants to reduce water usage.

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

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We are committed to the conservation and protection of Vieques’ costal and marine ecosystems. In particular, we support efforts that advance the conservation of Vieques’ Bioluminescent Bay and endangered species.

  • We’ll promote education and awareness of the marine environment by informing all visitors about responsible snorkeling and diving behavior.

  • We’ll discourage our guests and hosts from feeding wildlife and fish, while encouraging them to leave all debris, shells, coral pieces and sand on the beach or in the reef. 

  • We won’t sponsor or recommend any destructive night-fishing activities for guest amusement.

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