Monte Azul Hotel and Center for the Arts seeks to minimize the human impact on the natural environment. For example, from the initial planning stages we identified appropriate construction sites suited to building. Some of the principal criteria included the prevention of cutting trees or altering the natural topography of the land.
More recently we initiated a community recycling program, planted over 1,500 trees on our property, created a bio-water treatment system, among many other initiatives (click here for further details).
For the Art Studio, we contracted an expert to set up systems using sustainable methods. In the Hotel, we practice conservation at every level, and in the Restaurant we are installing a natural methane gas system to power the kitchen equipment.
Equally important to our mission is our commitment to socially responsible practices. At Monte Azul, 100% of our staff is from our village of Chimirol, we offer free English courses, education incentives, grants and loans, and
on the job training.
In an effort to perfect these systems and processes, Monte Azul has collaborated with the Colegio Universtario de Cartago, offering internship opportunities. One challenge is to evaluate our systems and practices in preparation for certification through the Green Leaves rating system of eco-sustainability through the Costa Rica Tourism Board.
The rating is based on the number of “leaves” with five being the highest standard, and only a small handful of hotels in Costa Rica having the honor. In fact, Monte Azul stands at the threshold of perhaps becoming a 100% carbon neutral enterprise before the end of 2009. We will announce the results in the coming issues.
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