Ecotourism: Operations
Tiamo’s sustainable performance is based on four major functions: Power Systems, Wastwater Treatment, Construction Design and Solid Waste.
Solid waste is one of the most challenging aspects of operating an Earth-kind Caribbean resort. There are no recycling facilities in The Bahamas. We are continually looking for creative and cost effective means of dealing with waste. The following are some examples of what we are doing to minimize our solid waste:Purchasing
The best method to deal with solid waste is to purchase items that have minimal amounts of material. We consider packaging in bulk when we make a purchase. Doing this from South Andros Island, Bahamas, is an even greater challenge because of limited suppliers and shippers. We purchase as much as possible from local suppliers and are beginning to grow our own produce for even greater environmental efficiency.
The office purchases recycled paper for general office use and banana-fiber paper for letterhead and correspondence. We also reuse all scrap paper, using the opposite side for the printer and scrap pads.
Composting
All food waste is composted and is used later as fertilizer in our gardens.
Paper Waste
Paper products and packaging that is not reusable is burned and the ashes are kept for fertilizer.
Plastic
Plastic is our most challenging waste product. There are no available means to recycle plastic, so we’ve become extremely creative. First we try to reuse plastic bottles, bowls and containers where possible. The second step is more creative; we use you, our guests at Tiamo, to complete our plastic recycling effort. Many of you live in communities with recycling programs; we take advantage of the existing resources. We neatly clean and package our plastic waste in convenient bundles for guests to take back after their vacation to recycle. We solve a problem here without using any additional resources to do it, you’re already flying back and your communities have an effective program in place.
Metal Waste
Metal is an easier product to recycle. We try to reuse metal items whenever possible. Items that must be discarded, specifically tin and aluminum cans are crushed and donated to the Cans for Kids program in Nassau.
Glass
Glass, while easier than plastic to recycle, still presents some challenges. The biggest culprits on this island are beer bottles. Tiamo only purchases beer in bottles that are bought back by the brewer. We have found a creative short-term solution for glass recycling. Any bottles that cannot be returned we crush and use in place of gravel in the mixing of cement for additional construction.
There are many other intricate specifics that occur at Tiamo in order to preserve the pristine setting. Interestingly, many of these little things: using four stroke boat engines, carefully planning boat runs for less fuel consumption, using the clothes line instead of the clothes dryer, using simple cleaners such as baking soda and vinegar instead of chemicals, actually save us money and make this a more effective business. Everyday we look for better ways, both as an ecotourism business and as a guardian of this beautiful environment. Please let us know if during your Bahamas vacation you see any additional ways we can improve in this effort.
| The Construction of the resort’s beach bungalows is key to efficient operations. |
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