green globe

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT

In 2008 Rockhouse achieved the prestigious Green Globe Benchmarked status under the globally recognized Benchmarking program. This program recognizes Rockhouse's commitment to operating to the world's highest environmental standard.

In achieving Benchmarked status, Rockhouse has achieved above Best Practice results in their Community Commitment, Water Consumption, Cleaning Products, and Energy Consumption. The monetary contributions to the Community and our Staff Training Program for environmental awareness were highlighted as very positive commitments and exemplary. Additionally the hotel achieved above baseline performance in the use of paper and pesticide products. These measures certify highly efficient practices and ensure Rockhouse is on the path to securing a sustainable future for the environment.

In December 1999, Rockhouse Hotel began developing a property-wide Environmental Management System (EMS) to improve the organization, execution and evaluation of their efforts to minimize the impact of their operations on both the physical and social environment. This EMS User Manual was prepared to conform to the Green Globe Standard. In addition, "Best Practices" for each department in the hotel were developed.

We encourage staff to present our commitment to environmental and social sustainability and our status under the Green Globe program to our guests, suppliers, contractors, agents and wholesalers.

Some steps taken to implement superior environmental practices across the entire operational spectrum are:

• Use of compact fluorescent bulbs
• Solar hot water systems for all guest rooms
• Water saving toilets, faucets and shower heads
• Use of A/C cutoff switches in guest rooms to minimize cooling in empty rooms
• Using hand dryers in public bathrooms instead of paper towels
• Guttering, piping and capture tanks installed for rainwater reuse
• Chipping, Shredding and Composting all organic garden waste to make mulch
• Recycling paper, cardboard, glass & oil
• Purchasing that favors biodegradable and local products
• Low energy equipment selection and preventative maintenance
• Minimized use of plastic bags to collect and transport linen or waste
• Recycle old plants and make cuttings to propagate seedlings
• Use of hand tools rather than powered tools to work gardens
• Communicate electronically rather than in writing where possible

Guests can also play their part. During room orientation guests are walked through the steps they can take to be environmentally active during their stay; such as using the linen and towel reuse program and closing doors, louvers and windows when using the air conditioning units. This information is also posted in each room as a friendly reminder. They are given an introduction to the Environmental Policy which is also on display at the Front Desk.

In order to formalize this commitment the Rockhouse Hotel has contracted PA Consulting, a global expert in Environmental Management, to help create an exemplary program at Rockhouse, one that owners, staff and guests can be proud of. As part of this process they have established a green team consisting primarily of senior management who meet weekly to discuss progress. Each member of staff is being trained to understand that in order for the hotel's operations to remain sustainable; the hotel must not only satisfy and exceed guests' expectations but also implement practices that have a positive impact on the environment. They are also being given training on how sound environmental practice can help them in their own homes.

Rockhouse Hotel takes seriously its obligation to protect and enhance the environment and is committed to being environmentally conscious, responsible and active. Since its inception the Rockhouse has been committed to touching the Earth lightly. This is immediately evident in the design, which is based on the principle of harmony with its natural surroundings the choice of building materials such as local timber, thatch and stone were also chosen to merge with the fully grown gardens and volcanic rock landscape.

The Rockhouse Hotel understands that in order to continue to enjoy the lush beauty of this land we need to act responsibly.

THE ROCKHOUSE HOTEL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Rockhouse Hotel has continuously implemented environmental management, social and cultural development activities since it opened in 1994. We are committed to achieving sound environmental practices across our entire operation while fully complying with all environmental laws and regulations. We strive to reduce our use of natural resources, to minimize air emissions and the use of hazardous materials, seek to employ and empower local staff, and to give preference to sourcing products and services locally.

Rockhouse will implement and regularly update its Environmental Management System. We monitor and record environmental performance relative to policies, objectives and guidelines. We maintain a continuous commitment to improved environmental and social sustainability performance. We seek to improve the organization, execution and evaluation of our efforts to minimize the impact of the operations on both the physical and social environment, and where possible, improve the environmental conditions in the surrounding Negril area.

Rockhouse is a boutique hotel located on a Pristine Cove in the resort town of Negril Jamaica. We have appointed Charlotte Wallace as the Green Globe Coordinator who has the responsibility of ensuring ongoing environmental performance, identification of environmental risks, recording and monitoring of impacts and implementing environmental and social sustainability measures.

We encourage staff to present our commitment to environmental and social sustainability and our status under the Green Globe program to our guests, suppliers, contractors, agents and wholesalers.

Jamaica Observer, "Rebuilding White Hall Bridge"

"The Negril Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders on Monday, September 14, 2009 broke ground for the reconstruction of the Whitehall Bridge which gave way during the 2008 passage of Hurricane Gustav. Work on the bridge - the main access point to the Negril Recycling Centre - and the roadway will be funded through a donation of $50,000 from the Rockhouse Hotel along with other donations.

The recycling centre, located in the Whitehall section of Negril, was funded by the Environmental Foundation, the Japanese Government and the USAID's Coastal Water Quality Improvement Project in collaboration with the Negril Chamber of Commerce nearly a decade ago. The centre has been seen as a model for responsible waste management and recyclables, while fostering an atmosphere for environmental education and promotion."