Green Initiative

Today we put into action a plan to reduce our environmental impact here at the School of the World. Our plan includes implementing a more thorough recycling program, switching from the community chemically treated water system to an in-house natural purified and ionized water system, reducing waste, and reducing energy usage. 

  Synonymous with life itself, water is the most precious resource we have, and this is where we are going to start to make our changes. In a country that receives over 116 inches of annual rainfall, I have to admit I took water for granted here until recently. It took the water bill jumping from $20 a month to $300, and also the eco-guilt of seeing mountains of plastic water bottles building up in our recycling bins and trashcans to nudge us into action. Averaging 20+ guests per week, all of which buy bottled water, you can imagine how many plastic bottles we are hauling to the curb each week. The city water is potable, but as with most municipal water systems it is heavily treated with chemicals, creating “dead” water. Our plan will include digging a well to tap into naturally filtered water and also installing an ionizing filtration system to provide the highest quality water possible for us and our guests.

  The next step will be to start using composters to help turn food waste into garden mulch. Food leftovers makes up as much as 40% of the waste in landfills, where it gives off harmful gases. During a recent visit to the States I learned more about how easy composting is now, thanks to new kitchen compost appliances. Check out this video to find out more about new compost solutions for your kitchen. www.naturemill.com/video_histChan.html

  The third step will be to address the conservation of energy. We plan to use heat reflecting paint and sun shading screens (like the ones used in landscape nurseries) to reduce the heat on the roof of the hotel. This will allow the air conditioners to run more efficiently and less frequently, reducing kilowatt hours. In addition to these big steps we have a lot of small improvements that we hope to implement over the next few months.