Eco Spotlight: Eco-friendly Staycations
by Stephanie Koathes Aug 27, 2018
If you’re thinking about a staycation, why not make it an eco-friendly one? We’re learning more and more about how human activities impact the planet, so go eco-chic for your next on-island vacation.
The resort’s beach is part of the Sea Turtle Recovery Programme, protecting hundreds of nesting sites and releasing thousands of hatchling hawksbill turtles into the sea. Tree planting is carried out every Earth Day, with the goal of creating new wildlife habitat. Jamaica Inn also has a composting system. Flowers used throughout the hotel are grown at the on-site greenhouse.
Hotel Mockingbird Hill, Portland
A romantic, 10-room eco hideaway, Hotel Mockingbird Hill is cradled by acres of tropical gardens. Recycled bottles water the garden by drip feed and there’s no air-conditioning, television or telephones. The hotel’s restaurant produces its delicious meals from locally-sourced ingredients. Mockingbird Hill has been twice voted Caribbean Green Hotel of the Year.
Jake’s in Treasure Beach recycles all plastics and makes use of solar water heating and greywater sewage treatment systems. The hotel also works closely with Breds – the Treasure Beach Foundation –to ensure the sustainability of the environment. Jake’s works with organisations such as the Ital Farmers Association and provides locally and responsibly sourced food.
Great Huts is rustic chic and takes a number of steps to leave a light environmental footprint. At Great Huts, solar panels are used to heat the water and all glass bottles are gathered and sold back to the bottling companies for re-use. The resort also works with local schools to have all plastics recycled. Food scraps are either used for compost or given to the pig farms to support the local meat production.
Kanopi House is a low-impact luxury retreat. The property uses a grey water sewage treatment system, processed along a lined reed bed. Kanopi House also makes use of sustainable, regionally-sourced hardwoods for their furnishings. These pieces, designed and handcrafted by local artisans, are produced from renewable Jamaican materials.