ECOCRED

Ecotourism and Alternative Energy

What have we done or will be doing to be eco friendly:

1. Lumber was brought from the mainland on sailboats minimizing the carbon impact of having lumber delivered.
2. Some construction was done with 2”x2” lumber effectively halving the amount of lumber used in those situations.
3. Most bathrooms at hotels on the island are made from 100’s of bricks, ours our made with none. Again, limiting the amount of carbon produced manufacturing and delivering said bricks.
4. Most of the paint used on the island is oil based paint. We used mostly latex water based paint and diluted some of it with water to ratios of 10 to 1. This eliminated toxic chemicals used for cleanup with oil paint and limited the total amount paint, paint cans etc. brought to the island.

5. Each casita has “water bottle” windows that allow for ambient light. These are bottles that were in the trash, now used for construction.
6. We recycle rain water in each casita and where appropriate in the common areas.
7. We used local fisherman’s materials in construction, as well as rope that washed up on shore.
8. We sponsor “Minnow Projects”, a grass roots effort to appropriately help the island where possible. To date this program has sponsored and organized two free veterinary spay and neuter clinics (2008-09-10). Cumulatively, these two clinics had 13 veterinarians treat over 300 cats, dogs and pigs during 5 days of surgery. We will be supporting and organizing future clinics as needed.
9. Minnow Projects has donated substantial funds (over $3,200 in 2008) to school construction projects, over 250 pounds of school supplies, 30 sacks of cement to help finish the school floor and a fuel pump for the village generator (2009).
10. On Minnow Projects agenda are Micro Loans for local business people, a separate “community” casita on our property and fund raising through various means to continue the good work.
11. We utilized local labor for all construction. We employ local folks at our lodge facilities and we pay fair wages.
12. We are moving toward utilizing wind and solar power for most of our energy use. In the mean time, we utilize an ultra efficient generator that only uses 2 quart of fuel per hour running approximately 4 hours per day. While that generator is running, we are planning to store the excess energy produced in batteries (that eventually will be used with the solar and wind) so that after the restaurant closes and our energy needs decrease, all of the lights will be powered by batteries.
13. We use energy efficient light bulbs.
14. “Minnow Projects” solar hot water showers, your shower is island temperature, thus minimizing your impact on the environment when you shower.
15. Our light fixtures are made from used glass beverage bottles that otherwise would be littering the island.
16. We are exploring using methane for cooking, having our own chickens for eggs and working on our composting garden.
17. We have planted a 1/4 of an acre farm in sweet potatoes, cassava root, pineapple, banana and plantain.
18. Our Adirondack chairs where made here on the island by local craftsman.
19. We are serious about our septic system.
20. We sponsor through equipment donations and fund raising opportunities local youth baseball teams.
21. We have implemented an “adopt a beach” program to help keep Cocal Beach clean.
22. We work with local fisherman only.
23. Some of our casitas are equipped with a water meter so that you can monitor your water usage while here on the island.
24. We ask all of our clients to be aware of their use of the island precious water supplies through en-suite information sheets.
25. Our bamboo was brought from the mainland only with the proper permits and harvested from the required area.
26. All crafts sold at LCBB are created by native artisans.
27. We use corn starch based cups that dissolve in water.
28. We use only cloth napkins in our restaurant and bar.
29. We return all of our rum bottles to Managua to be reused.
30. We use glass beer bottles that are returned to the brewer to be refilled.
31. Our wine, margarita and drink glasses are polycarbonate so we will never have broken glass on the beach and they will never need to be replaced.
32. When our hammock need replacing we return all the reusable parts to our Masaya hammock maker to be reused.
33. We return as many of our wine bottles and glass liquor bottles to Managua where glass recycling is available.
34. A portion of profits are spent each year helping the island community with worthwhile projects.
35. Through our efforts and the kindness of guests, LCBB is hoping that we will be instrumental in getting the “Reading Room” (a library and reading teaching center) constructed and opened in a permanent facility in 2011.
36. Our bamboo (restaurant, bar and bungalow) furniture was made in Nicaragua.