• Do you have a written environmental or social sustainability policy?     YES

If yes, please attach.

• Do you have a written environmental management system?              YES

If yes, please attach.

• Describe the property – aim, size, facilities, amount of land owned and leased  (150 words max)
  Golden Buddha Beach Resort is a remote eco-resort set in lush tropical forest on 1500 meters of beach front property facing the Andaman Sea.   Guests come to enjoy the abundant wildlife (including turtles and rare hornbills) in one of the last unspoiled coastal areas in Thailand. Golden Buddha Beach aims to provide a first class vacation experience while preserving the natural environment. The resort has 25 privately owned houses, a clubhouse with bar, shop and dining area. Services include first class dining, focusing on fresh local ingredients.  Activities include land & sea safaris, diving tours to the Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock, sea kayaking, local community engagement, yoga, and Thai massage.

• Describe the location, including distance to nearest town and size of town (100 words max) We are 1.5 hours by longtail boat from Kuraburi Thailand and another 2.5 hours by car from Phuket Thailand.
• Describe WHY you made the decision to develop an eco resort (100 word max)
  To provide an opportunity for guests to enjoy the true luxury of nature in a sustainable manner.  This is one of the last un-spoiled beaches in Thailand.

Introduction to the Butterfly Club’s Eco Rating

The Butterfly Club Eco Rating has five equally-weighted categories:

• Energy;
• Water;
• Recycling and waste;
• Land and nature conservation; and
• Community.

Each category has five levels, designated by one to five butterflies.  Through self assessment, resort operators completing this rating will determine their own levels within each category based on their responses to items listed below.  

Two categories – energy and water – have similar rating systems with Levels 1 and 2 addressing conservation of existing resources, and Levels 3, 4 and 5 addressing creation of renewable energy or capturing water. 

Level five in every category also requires written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record consumption; (2) test and apply additional conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific targets.   We require a copy of your policies if you achieve level 5 in any category.

Energy

Levels 1 and 2 - conservation: Check all that apply:

__x_  use natural air circulation and fans, not air conditioners
__x_  use natural light during the day
__x_  minimize use of fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines and equipment
__x_  (we use no hot water) use “on demand” or solar heating for hot water
__x_  air dry clothes/linens
__x_  wash dishes by hand
__x_  use energy efficient appliances and electronics
_x__  use low wattage fluorescent light bulbs
__x_  change linens, tablecloths, napkins upon request
__x_  switch off lights when not used
Other energy conservation activities? Please list:  Restrict availability of self generated electricity to the hours of 6pm to 11pm.
 
Level 1 = four or fewer energy conservation activities

Level 2 = five or more energy conservation activities

Levels 3, 4 and 5 - renewable energy: Indicate proportion (%) of energy from each source:

__5%_  solar
___  wind
___  hydro
_95%__  generator
___  public utility
Other energy sources? Please list:

100% TOTAL
How were these proportions developed?  Two of 25 houses have solar, all others use our self generated electricity.  We will use bio diesel when it become available.

Level 3 = renewable energy is employed and is less than 1/3 of all energy

Level 4 = renewable energy constitutes 1/3 – 2/3 of all energy

Level 5 = renewable energy constitutes 2/3 or more of all energy.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record energy consumption; (2) test and apply additional energy conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific energy targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Energy Level 5 (required).

Your Energy Level (select 1 – 5) =   3

Water

Levels 1 and 2 - conservation: Check all that apply:

__  low flow faucets and showerheads
x__  low water use toilets
_x_  change linens, towels, tablecloths, and napkins upon request
_x__use table mats that can be wiped and not laundered
_x_  use biodegradable laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap
_N/A_Treat swimming pool with chlorine-free processes.  No pool.
Other water conservation activities?  Please list.

Level 1 = three or fewer water conservation activities

Level 2 = four or more water conservation activities

Levels 3, 4 and 5 – capture and treat fresh water and manage waste water. Capture water: Indicate proportion (%) of water from each source:

___  spring
___  river
_x__  rain
_x__  reuse gray
___  public utility
Other water sources? Please list.  We pump water from shallow wells.  Rain water is used for drinking.

100% TOTAL

Fresh water treatment: how is captured fresh water treated?
__x_  naturally.  Indicate method: charcoal, ultraviolet light, other? List:  only aeration                           
___  chemically.  List chemicals used: none

Waste water management:
_x__  septic tanks
___  cesspools
___  other? List methods:

Level 3: Water is captured (from springs, rivers, rain or prior use) and constitutes less than 1/3 of water from all sources.  Water is treated chemically.  Water disposal does not minimize damage to coral reefs and rain forests

Level 4:  Captured water constitutes 1/3 to 2/3 of all water.  Water is treated naturally. Water disposal minimizes damage to coral reefs and rain forests

Level 5:  Captured water constitutes more than 2/3 of all water.  Water is treated naturally. Water disposal minimizes damage to coral reefs and rain forests.   In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record water consumption; (2) test and apply additional water conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific water targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Water Level 5 (required).

Your Water Level (select 1 – 5): 3

Recycling and waste

Check all that apply:

_x__   use durable service items, e.g. cups, glasses, dishes, tableware, storage items
_x__   buy fresh and local to reduce packaging and emissions from transportation
__x_   purchase in bulk to reduce packaging
_x__   recycle paper, glass, plastic, aluminum
_x__   minimize emissions from fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines & equipment      
_x__   zero waste in the kitchen
_x__   serve local water, not bottled water
___   cleaning products are biodegradable
_x__   compost organic matter
Other methods to recycle waste? Please list. All organic matter is shredded, if necessary and then composted and used in our gardens.

Level 1 = four or fewer recycling activities

Level 2 = five recycling activities

Level 3 = six recycling activities

Level 4 = seven recycling activities

Level 5 = eight or more recycling activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record recycling and waste; (2) test and apply additional recycling and waste conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific recycling and waste targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Recycling and Waste Level 5 (required).

Your Recycling and Waste Level (select 1 – 5): 5

Land and nature conservation

Check all that apply:

_x__   minimize tree removal when building
___   use only botanical (plant-based) herbicides & pesticides in garden & grounds
___   maintain organic gardens as food source for resort
___   use biodegradable cleaning products
_x__   minimize external illumination
___   take additional specific actions to preserve the local habitat.  Please list actions and projects:

• Plant trees whenever possible.
• No burning on the island.
• Plant plants that stop erosion.

 
Level 1: one or two land and nature conservation activities

Level 2: three land and nature conservation activities

Level 3: four land and nature conservation activities

Level 4: five land and nature conservation activities

Level 5: six or more land and nature conservation activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record land and nature conservation activities; (2) test and apply additional land and nature conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific land and nature conservation targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Land and Nature Conservation Level 5 (required).

Your Land and Nature Conservation Level (select 1 – 5): 4

Community

This category addresses policies and activities regarding staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the community. 

Check all activities that apply:

_x__  hire staff residing near the resort          _95__% local nationals
__x_  use local suppliers                                _50__% purchased goods produced locally
_x__  re-invest resort income locally            _100__% income re-invested locally
__x_  pay above local prevailing wage
_x__  pay into local social security
__?_  provide health insurance or coverage (in Thailand this is covered by the social security which we provide all employees.
_x__  use regular staff meetings to educate staff about sustainable processes throughout the resort, in the garden, with waste disposal, etc
__x_  provide educational awareness programs for staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the local community
___  provide sustainable transport to work for staff
_x__  take additional specific actions to support the local community. Please list actions and projects. Support projects in the local schools.

Level 1: one or two community activities

Level 2: three to five community activities

Level 3: six to seven community activities

Level 4: eight to nine community activities

Level 5: ten or more community activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record community activities; (2) test and apply additional methods to support the community; and (3) work towards specific community targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Community Level 5 (required).

Your Community Level (select 1 – 5): 5

YOUR OVERALL ECO SCORE (add your level for each category and divide by 5and enter the result with the decimal point, e.g. 3.6): 4

We have three final questions which are not part of the eco rating: 

• Please describe your single most important eco achievement:

The habits of the local community is to burn all debris and garbage.  We have slowly, but completely been able to educate our staff and they no longer burn any materials and have become very strong in recycling including bottles, cans and cardboard.

• Indicate additional sustainable practices that you plan to institute within the next 6 months.
  We have been attempting to garden for our own kitchen.  The culture of the island folks is not one for gardening, but we have been trying bit by bit.  The rainy season starts soon and we hope to be able to produce a substantial amount of our needs this rainy season.

• Is there anything else you would like to add to this eco rating?