Our environmental policy arose from our desire to minimize the impact of our operations on the areas where we are based; from our tours to Patagonia to our adventure travel in Rapa Nui. From this starting point, we have made a commitment to responsible environmental management to ensure that the use we make of natural resources is sustainable and that we effectively manage the waste we generate.
Posada de Mike Rapu, our Rapa Nui lodge, was the first lodge in South America to be awarded LEED certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
LEED certification means that we have met the organization's rigorous environmental standards in the design, construction and operation of the lodge.
The lodge is built on a site which is not appropriate for agricultural use and addresses erosion control in a sustainable manner. During construction we made every effort to minimize our impact on the environment and preserve the existing vegetation around the building.
The paved area is just big enough for people to circulate and is semi-permeable, which means that rainwater can filter through to the ground below, thus preventing stagnation and pollution.
Two of the key materials used in the construction were wood and volcanic stone from the island, which has been used by the Rapa Nui people since ancient times.
The water used in the operations is treated in an activated sludge plant. The gas discharged by the generator is reused to heat water, thus saving a significant amount of energy and reducing the level of waste emissions.
We also save by using pipes with low water flow; solar panels to heat our jacuzzi; and economy and free cooling cycles which take advantage of exterior temperatures when appropriate. The air conditioning is only used when necessary and water from the system is recycled by the treatment plant.
The lodge's internal lighting system has a low impact on the nocturnal ecosystem. Outside lighting is minimal, restricted to passageways and walkways, and we do not use energy to illuminate the landscape or building facades.
