Origins, Costa Rica

Ecorating: 4.0

This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.

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Origins Lodge’s core values focus on sustainability and protection of the environment, as part of the integrated philosophy and team’s commitment to building healthy communities by understanding and embracing the coexistence with nature including fauna, insects, reptiles and birds, among others. By understanding how vital and important each creature is to the development of the world and its inhabitants, people can fully appreciate and truly commit to Mother Earth. The goal is for everyone to help the planet thrive for future generations.

Each year, the team plants around 500 native double or triple trees to facilitate reforestation, especially at the edges of rivers and other water sources to maintain an abundance of water, as well as trees with fruit or seeds, which birds and animals love to eat, and take pollen and create the miracle of life through pollination, which is essential to humanity. As a triple purpose, people can enjoy the leaves, seeds, fruits and edible flowers to eat from the trees, many of which have lots of nutrients, such as antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

ORIGINS Lodge has an exceptional organic garden. The vegetables, fruits and herbs are planted in 100% organic soil in the property’s garden, according to Kiwa’s international certification. The symbol of the property’s organic garden is a mandala, which is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Asian cultures. The belief is that by entering the mandala and proceeding towards its center, you are guided through the cosmic process of transforming the universe from one of suffering to one of joy and happiness. ORIGINS dedicated this mandala to the care of all the herbs planted and to be prepared by the chefs, creating tasty and nutritious dishes. Guests can visit the garden, walk around and immerse themselves in a world of scents while feeling a passion for plants. The garden provides a world of calm, joy and peace.

The ORIGINS Lodge team produces compost on the property with worms to provide richer soil for the crops. Vermicomposting is the scientific method of making compost, using earthworms. They often live in soil, feed on biomass and excrete it in digested form. Vermiculture means “worm farming”. Earthworms feed on organic waste material and produce excrement in the form of vermicasts, which are rich in nitrates and minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and potassium. These are used as fertilizers and improve soil quality.

In addition, ORIGINS Lodge is proud to be a plastic-free hotel. You are part of the UNEP (United Nations Environment Program pledge) for single-use, plastic-free policies. The property also has its own waste management and recycling program. organic waste for compost and non-organic recycling of glass, plastic, paper and cardboard.

Organic bath products are made on site from the Ylang-Ylang trees on the property. The desire to create this special line came from the true belief in taking advantage of nature and staying away from chemicals and preservatives. ORIGINS Lodge strives to offer its guests high-quality products, which do not harm the environment and are beneficial for skin and hair. It took nine months to master the art of making Origins Ylang-Ylang Bath Amenities, consisting of shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, body lotion and facial soap. The staff trained diligently with the experience of the Julima Holistic Cosmetology Center.

Solar water tanks are placed in each room to heat the water in the showers. There is also a natural purification plant for the soapy water to be able to reuse them to water the plants. Additionally, there is no air conditioning, and the property uses LED lights to reduce its carbon footprint.

The ORIGINS team has also developed a socially responsible program to support education, health, work, culture and the environment, and now has alliances with the CR Wildlife Foundation, including helping the Central American Tapir, which is the largest terrestrial mammal in the Neotropics and also a of the most ecologically important species. However, this beautiful animal is at risk of extinction. They are known as the “gardeners of the forest”. The tapir disperses a variety of large seeds and are not only important because of their roles as ecosystem architects, but are also one of the strongest allies in our fight against global climate change.

ORIGINS Lodge also has natural lagoons with hundreds of local fish, which are used in the menus. The property has a small farm with chickens and quail for organic eggs, and the property’s own cow Margaret gives 13 liters of milk daily to produce its own cheese. In addition, there is a small sugarcane plantation to produce sugarcane juice and natural sugar.

The goal is to do fair trade as much as possible, help the local farmers and other entrepreneurs succeed and strengthen the local economy, which helps the villagers to a better quality of life. ORIGINS Lodge currently works with more than 30 deliveries ters from the local city, and 95% of hotel employees are from the local city. ORIGINS has positively impacted around 300 people in the city to support the local economy.