Tourism is a desirable activity of economic benefit to the nation and local communities, and of personal benefit to the individual. Excessive and intensive tourism development and activity can threaten the quality of both the environment and of the touristic experience. At Hotel Mocking Bird Hill they believe that every enterprise has an obligation to protect the environment and the society to make a positive contribution. They have taken a formal approach to ensure that good environmental practices are identified and monitored for the future. They are committed to environmental management that is incorporated into every aspect of its operations and take a holistic view of their business.

• Containers returned to suppliers
• Goods purchased in bulk
• Reusable and recyclable products are used in all departments
• Where possible, beverages are purchase in deposit bottles
• Non-recyclable bottles are re-used or given to beekeepers for their honey
• Paper is given to local project for recycling
• Organic waste composted and food waste is given to farmers for their pigs
• Only essential items are printed, and various business partners have been asked to correspond by email

• Increased use of energy efficient equipment
• Constant monitoring of usage of equipment
• Solar water heating
• Low energy lighting
• Water saver on taps, thus reducing hot water usage
• Dishwasher uses rinse water as the first wash of the next load
• Laundry dried in the sun
• Outdoor lighting has photo sensors and therefore kept to minimum
• Natural cross ventilation rather than air-conditioning
• Guests encouraged to re-use towels and linen to reduce laundry
• Napkin pouches used so that napkins can be re-used
• Office has moved to ground level and has been almost entirely out of recycled materials
• New cooling unit for Kitchen which has reduced energy use

• Rainwater flows through gravel filters into a main underground tank as well as into a series of 600 and 400 gallon tanks (present storage is 44,000 Gallons)
• Collected water used to augment supplies from the public system
• Water usage is monitored on a daily basis
• Reduction of laundry greatly influences the careful usage of water
• Water saving attachments on shower heads and taps
• Sand filled plastic bottles used in the toilet tanks
• Rinse cycle on dishwasher is used for the next wash cycle
• Garden designed to survive in the natural climatic cycles
• When occupancy rates rise, grey water is used for watering the garden if necessary

• Anaerobic wastewater treatment plant

• Company vehicles use lead-free petrol and are properly serviced

• Tree replacement is ongoing, as is the planting of flowering trees to attract the birds and fruit trees
• Terracing system is employed to reduce soil degradation and loss

• Seminars are held on environmentally friendly hotel operations for staff of the Hotel Mocking Bird, and other local hotels
• Training on environmental issues and operations is ongoing and staff orientation and documentation has been properly established
• Participate in events organised by the Portland Environmental Protection Association (PEPA)

• Work closely with two projects: Nature's Handmade Paper Co-operative, which is a women's group making handmade, recycled paper, and Valley Hukes, a local organisation which promotes sustainable development in the Rio Grande Valley
• Encourage other hotels in the area to contribute to a Destination Marketing Fund which promotes sustainable tourism
• Work closely with various community projects (farmers and small producers) to provide a regular take for their products
• All guest amenities are indigenous products made by various community projects
• Created the ENOUGH (Education Needs our Urgent Generous Help) to support a school in Port Antonio

• The hotel ensures that no waste is burnt that could contribute towards air pollution nor do they use any products that could emit toxic fumes

• Purchase manual with detailed guidelines developed which has resulted in cost-efficiency and local economy stimulation
• The purchasing manual emphasises the necessity to purchase re-usable, recyclable or energy efficient equipment and produce
• Locally produced goods purchased as far as possible
• No individually packaged items are purchased
• Beverages purchased in deposit bottles

Barbara Walker, Manager

Hotel Mocking Bird Hill

Jamaica