SUSTAINABLE EFFORTS

Origins Lodge’s core values are based on respect for the environment, with the aim of enabling our guests to reconnect with nature while enjoying an exceptional experience.
This approach is based on a holistic philosophy of well-being in harmony with nature, and our commitment to developing an ecosystem that respects communities and nature.

We aim to be as integrated as possible with nature, occupying only a tiny part of the 45-hectare estate. Our guides, experts in flora and fauna, and all our team members share in the vital importance of each species in the ecosystem for the evolution of the world. In addition to preserving biodiversity, we carry out a wide range of actions that serve our goal of harmony with the environment and the local community:

We are proud to have planted more than 1,000 native double- and triple-purpose trees since the hotel’s inception. In particular, this initiative has led to reforestation mainly along rivers and water sources, helping to maintain an abundance of water. We have also chosen to plant fruit trees, which are appreciated by many animal species such as birds. Customers can benefit too, as these trees provide us cooks with direct access to their leaves, seeds, fruits and flowers, which are very rich in flavours and nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and omegas. Some examples include sacha inchi seed (Plukenetia Volubilis), annatto leaf (Bixa orellana), elephant ear leaf (Piper Auritum), goosefoot leaf (Chenopodium incisum) and moringa leaf (Moringa Oleifera).

We have established a partnership with “Planta mi Arbol”, a Costa Rican foundation dedicated to the reforestation of disadvantaged areas of the country. Thanks to this collaboration, we offer our customers the opportunity to participate in their program by financing the planting of various trees, which also helps to offset any negative impact of their trip to Costa Rica.

Melipona-Mariola honey bees:
We maintain 25 hives of melipona bees on our property. The melipona is the smallest species of bee in Costa Rica. Although it produces honey in limited quantities due to its small size, this honey is renowned for its purity and superior quality compared with other species. What’s more, these bees are harmless because they have no stinger, making them perfectly suited to cohabiting with our customers. We’ve even placed a beehive right next to the restaurant bar, so that we can admire them while we eat without them disturbing us.
We recollect some of their honey and use it in our cooking. Honey also has beneficial medicinal uses. It helps boost the immune system, manage respiratory illnesses, heal wounds and even slow the progression of glaucoma, among other benefits.
Their conservation also helps to counter the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems.

Our mandala and organic vegetable garden
A mandala is a spiritual symbol and ritual in Asian culture. It is believed that by entering the mandala and walking towards its center, one is guided through the cosmic process of transforming the universe from suffering to joy and happiness.
We have dedicated our mandala to all the aromatic and vegetable herbs that are cooked by our chefs to create tasty, nutrient-rich dishes.
Our guests are invited to explore this Mandala, either on their own or accompanied by our passionate guides who share their knowledge of plants as well as their stories. This space offers complete immersion in a world of scents and flavors. It represents both a rich sensory experience and a practical utility, housing over 50 cultivated plant varieties.

Our vegetables, fruit, seeds, edible flowers and herbs are planted in soil rich in organic matter, in accordance with international Kiwa certification. This allows us to harvest 100% organic produce without using chemical pesticides in our kitchen garden.
Over 60% of the fruit and vegetables consumed in our Lodge are grown on site, from pineapples to tomatoes, lettuce, yucca, roucou, wild spinach, lemon-mandarin, grapefruit, mango and orange.

Composting:
We make our own compost using worms that we raise in-house, adopting the vermicomposting and vermiculture methods. These approaches aim to create a natural soil richer in nutrients. Indeed, as earthworms feed on organic waste, they release it in the form of nitrates and minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and potassium, so that we can use it as a 100% natural fertilizer to improve soil quality without artifice. We are committed to acquiring the best environmental practices to create superior soil for our crops. We take pride in this approach, which contributes to the sustainability of our environment.

Limiting the use of plastics:
We have taken the initiative to completely eliminate the use of single-use plastics. Our commitment is part of UNEP’s (United Nations Environment Programme) drive to eradicate these environmentally harmful forms of plastic. We are proud to contribute to this cause by creating a single-use plastic-free environment, starting with our lodges, which are currently completely plastic-free. ORIGINS always favors sustainable alternatives to preserve our planet.

Recycle-Reuse-Reduce:
We have implemented a waste management and recycling program at our hotel, based on the principles of recycle, reuse and reduce. Organic waste is composted, while non-organic materials such as glass, plastic, paper and cardboard are recycled or reused.
In addition, we have set up natural soapy water treatment facilities to recover and use water for watering plants, for example.

Wood workshop:
Hurricanes, tropical storms and climate change have had an impact on our forest, causing trees to fall. Faced with this reality, we have implemented a proactive approach: we transform the wood from these precious trees in our joinery workshop to create furniture and storage wood. This material enables us to maintain our rooms, replacing floors and ceilings where necessary, as well as being a source of heat for the outdoor Jacuzzis in our Lodges.

Laboratory:
Our organic bath products are made on site from the Ylang-Ylang trees on our property. Our range, created after nine months of research and development, includes shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, body lotion and face soap. All are available in refillable bottles, in line with our commitment to sustainability and for the greater pleasure and benefit of our customers.
We are proud to say that we operate entirely autonomously, while maintaining a level of quality and excellence in line with our customers’ expectations. To this end, we have collaborated with the Julima Holistic Cosmetology Center, benefiting from their experience and rigorous standards.
It is with pride and enthusiasm that we share the benefits nature has to offer in preserving and caring for our bodies.

Farm:
Pio-Pio Finca On our small farm, our chickens and quails provide us with organic eggs, while our cow Margaret supplies us with 13 liters of milk every day with which we produce our fresh cheese daily. We also grow sugar cane on site to extract the juice and natural sugar used in our cocktails, smoothies and dishes. This integrated ecosystem is at the heart of our supply chain, enabling us to offer our customers a true farm-to-table gastronomic experience.

Likewise, ORIGINS Lodge has two shrimp and lobster ponds and several lakes housing a variety of local fish such as tilapia, rainbow perch, spotted perch, garfish and many others. Our guests have the opportunity to catch these fish and choose between releasing them or having them prepared by our chefs for a delicious meal.

Social responsibility:
Almost 95% of our workforce (50 employees) come from the local Upala community. By training and employing members of the district, we ensure that they carry out their tasks with dedication, understand our customers’ needs and contribute to the creation of memorable experiences through attentive service.
All in all, we have a positive impact on around 300 people in the local economy. In particular, we have numerous socially responsible programs to support education, health, work, culture and the environment in different areas as sports committees, cultural and development associations for each community.

Conservation:
In addition to our commitment to wildlife conservation on our estate, we have partnered with CR Wildlife for tapir conservation.
The Central American tapir is the largest land mammal in the Neotropics and one of the most ecologically important species. Unfortunately, this majestic species is on the brink of extinction. Known as the “gardeners of the forest”, tapirs are disseminators of various seeds, making them crucial architects of the ecosystem. As such, they are proving to be invaluable allies in our fight against global climate change.
We invite you to support our efforts to preserve their natural habitat and promote their safe coexistence with humans. Your contribution can play a vital role in this mission. http://costaricawildlife.org/portfolio-items/nai-conservation/

Carbon Footprint Reduction:
We use water tanks heated by solar panels for each lodge, guaranteeing hot water for showers and taps.
Did you know that air conditioning is one of the biggest enemies of our carbon footprint?
That’s why we’ve chosen not to install air conditioning in our lodges. Our high-altitude location, close to the volcano, means that the nights are naturally cooler and more pleasant. What’s more, the intelligent architecture of our lodges allows rooms to cool naturally. Likewise, we don’t heat our swimming pool, and the Jacuzzis are heated using wood from fallen trees on the 45-hectare estate.

Our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint is strong and constant. With this in mind, we are currently pursuing Blue Flag Certification, demonstrating our commitment to environmental preservation. We remain determined to improve our practices in all areas for an even more positive impact.