How "eco" is TOTOCO Eco-lodge?

TOTOCO is not only 'eco' in name but also in deed! This document outlines the things we have done and will be doing in order to live up to our 'green' title. While we do not as yet have any eco-accreditations we will be pursuing these over the coming year/s. Moreover, we are underway with the process of obtaining the Bio-latina Organic Farming Certification. This process involves three years and should be completed by 2010.

1. How TOTOCO helps conserve the surrounding flora and fauna

• TOTOCO realizes the importance of biodiversity. Over the past two years, more than 2,000 trees, palms, bushes and vegetables have been planted over the property using permaculture principles. These principles focus on companion planting, soil erosion control, soil fertility, reforestation and biodiversity, just to mention a few.

• Every private lodging guest at TOTOCO is invited to plant 1 indigenous tree for free. We want to demonstrate that a rain forest left standing is more profitable than one cut down.

• With time, TOTOCO plans to implement a 'carbon off-setting' program for those guests flying in from other countries. This will involve the sponsoring of local regeneration zones.

• Approximately one third of the TOTOCO property has been left 'untouched'. This jungle area is free of construction and only includes walking paths with educational signs so that guests can learn about the naturally occurring environment on Ometepe Island.

2. How TOTOCO encourages interpretive educational programs to both its employees and tourists about the surrounding natural and cultural environments

• TOTOCO actively promotes the importance of the Earth's inter-connected natural and cultural systems. Educating guests about conservation and sustainability is one of our major ambitions. Every private cabin includes a manual showing the sustainability measures we have undertaken in order to educate and, with any luck, inspire!

• All guests are encouraged to participate in one of TOTOCO's many organized tours. The tours are run by local community residents and include:

  • educational tours of the Eco-lodge and its Organic Farm (this tour includes a full briefing of how TOTOCO deals with waste, energy and water management as well as the agricultural techniques embraced throughout the property

  • cultural tours of the local community (including visiting local farms and homes)

  • indigenous fishing tours (see how the local residents have been sustainably feeding themselves for thousands of years

3. How TOTOCO uses alternative and sustainable means of water acquisition and reduces water consumption

• All potable water consumed by TOTOCO comes directly from a natural spring water source captured in a natural lagoon at the top of Maderas volcano. This water is finite and precious and thus needs to be maintained and protected.

• After entering the TOTOCO property the water is stored in a large ferro-cement tank. This tank provides two main advantages for TOTOCO and the local community. Firstly, it means that during high occupancy periods, TOTOCO does not need to draw from the main mother tube during the day time and thereby does not negatively affect the flow of water to other communities further down the line. Secondly, during the dry season, TOTOCO has a large reserve that ensures guests are not negatively impacted by low supply.

• Despite a large potable water storage tank, TOTOCO ensures that the precious spring water is only used for domestic consumption – drinking, cooking, showering and brushing teeth.

• TOTOCO does not use any flush toilets. All toilets are “luxury” composting toilets and thereby do not contaminate clean drinking water.

• All Grey water created at TOTOCO is recycled through natural filters such as gravel, sand and aquatic plants. Upon the completion of the recycling process, the Grey water is then used to water the private gardens surrounding each structure meaning that that TOTOCO is able to have lush gardens even throughout the dry season.

• All proceeds raised from the sale of re-filling water bottles with Maderas Volcano spring-water goes directly to the local committee water projects. Such an activity will allow TOTOCO to reduce its plastic waste by offering an alternative to branded plastic bottled water.

• Where ever possible, rain water is captured and stored in tanks. This rain water is then used in the dry season to water gardens and refill TOTOCO's 9m2 swimming pool. TOTOCO has committed itself to never use the natural spring water in order to refill its pool.

4. How TOTOCO provides for careful handling and disposal of solid waste and sewage

• The composting toilets used at TOTOCO Eco-lodge see all solid waste and sewage hygienically transferred to a composting area at least twice a day ensuring a clean and odorless system. After one year of composting and regular maintenance, the contents transform themselves into fertile soil which is subsequently re-used by the TOTOCO nursery to give plantlings the best start to life.

5. How TOTOCO meets its energy needs through passive design and renewable energy resources

• TOTOCO is 100% off-grid using solar energy. Our next investment is to combine solar with wind energy.

• TOTOCO does not use air conditioning. Apart from the natural breezes and fans the structures have been built using passive cooling principles. This will be expanded with the growth of trees around the building giving extra shade and therefor create naturally cooler spaces.

6. How TOTOCO uses traditional building technology and materials wherever possible and combines these with their modern counterparts

• 80% of TOTOCO 's buildings are constructed with renewable materials.

• In volume, 80% of the construction material is renewable and naturally created on the island of Ometepe. We used on-island legal eucalyptus wood, clay bricks, sand, gravel, bamboo and volcanic stones.

• 85% of all construction took place without the use of power tools.

• 90% of all furniture is made out of wood or bamboo.

• Located in the 'ring of fire', the foundations of TOTOCO's buildings have been built using the proven strength of cement and iron. However, the in-filling of the foundations have been made with volcanic stones, gravel and sand. All walls have been made either using locally made clay bricks with a cement plaster for resilience or locally grown cane and bamboo. Some pillars are made of cement and brick but the majority are made out of island-grown Eucaluptus wood.

• The majority of TOTOCO's roof structures are made out of locally grown wood and covered with a natural thatching materials such as Royal Palm leaves or Chowiton.

• TOTOCO refuses to contribute to the sale or purchasing of illegal woods.

• TOTOCO blends with local physical and cultural environment through careful attention to form, landscaping and color, as well as the use of local traditional architecture

7. How TOTOCO minimizes its impact on the natural environment

• TOTOCO's ecological footprint is small. We genuinely believe that we have a regenerative impact on our surroundings. On the 15 acres of land that is TOTOCO, we have only cut 8 young trees throughout the whole construction phase. Moreover we have planted more than thousand trees of varying species and varieties.

• The biggest environmental impact has been the construction of the road to the lodge. In order to minimize the impact of this infrastructural necessity, cement was only used on the steepest sections of the path. The remainder was made using rock, gravel and sand.

8. How TOTOCO actively works with the local community

• The TOTOCO Restaurant works with local farmers to buy seasonal produce. Priority is given to organic farming.

• TOTOCO recognizes the difficulties involved in transitioning from non-organic to organic farming techniques and as such is developing a program whereby it will work with a selected group of local farmers to minimize the hassles associated with the transition. This program will see TOTOCO set a predetermined 'fair price' for organic crops to help offset the additional costs associated and lower yields the farmers experience over the first few years of the transitioning period.

• Each year TOTOCO sponsors a few key events in the local communities of Balgue and Madronal. These events include; Christmas, the Day of the Revolution / independence day, and Purissama.

• TOTOCO sponsors a local youth football team and assist with transport and basic materials.

• TOTOCO has become one of the largest employers in the history of the island employing on average 50 local workers during the construction phase

• TOTOCO has given over $3000 in micro-advances to its employees over the last two years. These micro-advances have been primarily used to help local families with agricultural, educational and medical needs.

• TOTOCO is proud of its reputation as a fair employer. We adhere to all labor code rules and pay above minimum award wages to all workers.

• TOTOCO forms part of a development center which focuses on people and nature. It's key areas are: education, economy, environment, health, culture & sports.

9. How TOTOCO contributes to the sustainable development of the local community

• TOTOCO's concept is founded on three pillars: business, people and our environment.

• TOTOCO's Development Center is focused on the sustainable development of the local community. It is the role of the Eco-lodge to help fund and facilitate the activities of the Development Center.

• TOTOCO outsources the majority of its guest activities, tours and all laundry services to local entrepreneurs. TOTOCO helps facilitate these alliances via micro-financing agreements.