Metropolitan Touring’s Environmental Policy demands that we share the results of our projects and efforts. Solid-waste management is always one of the most emblematic ones not only because of its community outreach, but also because it is an example of cooperation between the public and private sectors. In Ecuador there are very few examples where such level of cooperation has generated rewarding results, and more over where the community has responded in a positive way, and has turned paradigms into new behaviors.
The cooperation between Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador, Municipal Government of Santa Cruz, Galápagos National Park, WWF, and the community, onsets a proposing way of generating integral solutions in front of waste management. After eleven years of shared work, we have reached residents, ships’ crew, hotel staff, visitors, and more. It is our delight to share with you that as of June 2009, solid waste management has achieved these results:
Organic Garbage for Composting: 760,336 Kg (1,672,739 pounds)
Inorganic Garbage for Recycling: 1,536,732 Kg (3,380, 810 pounds)
The Finch Bay Hotel launches its own Sustainable Farm
With much dedication since December 2008, the hotel staff decided to maximize the use of some land available within the hotel premises. At the beginning, the right area had to be chosen, together with the best products that can grow here. This is how the staff of Finch Bay Hotel created its sustainable farm. Nine months later we have achieved a small production which enables us to depend less on bringing these items from the mainland. The products we cannot grow here will be purchased from the local farmers of Santa Cruz Island in order to support their economies and rely even less in the mainland’s businesses. For building the farm, all materials came from previously used facilities at the hotel, while rainfall and moisture condensation is used for local irrigation. Organic garbage is used as natural fertilizer which prevents us from needing agrochemicals from the mainland. Currently, ten products are cultivated including melon, watermelon, papayas, plantain, bananas, baby bananas (oritos), tomatoes, green peppers, parsley (two types) and oregano. Melon and watermelon are the fruits of most production reaching 69 Kg (152 pounds) each one. Guests are fascinated to hear that some produce is grown locally, and come right off Finch Bay’s Sustainable Farm.
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