Suzanne Pinckney's List: Tiamo Hotel

• site clearing for Tiamo was done by hand using machetes and chainsaws to preserve the existing vegetation. All transport of materials to the Tiamo site was done by hand, using small shallow draft boats to reduce the likelihood of the dredging that a larger vessel might do. All wood used in construction of Tiamo was precut in one area, then moved by hand to each building site and assembled with light power tools.
• prototype building was constructed in Indiana prior to ordering materials in order to ensure the least possible waste during construction
• Scrap materials were saved and have been used to make furniture and other items. A good deal of construction was done utilizing electricity generated entirely by the solar power system. The construction crew consisted of a local South Andros Island crew. Up to twenty locals were employed at one point during construction with only three non-Bahamians as part the construction management team.

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• All hot water for your vacation is created using thermal hot water heaters - no electricity or gas is used. Each two-person beach bungalow is fitted with a 30-gallon heater; the commercial kitchen utilizes two 50-gallon heaters. The water heating ability is so great that tempering valves must be used to mix cold water with the boiling hot water created by the heaters.

• Grey water waste undergoes a natural treatment process. All of the wastewater from the showers, sinks and laundry is filtered for large particles and sent through a dirt, sand and rock filter system for cleansing. We also use biodegradable, phosphorous free soaps for further protection of the land and water resources on South Andros Island, The Bahamas.
  
  Black water waste (one of the most detrimental wastes to near-shore tropical aquatic ecosystems) is dealt with by using low-flush composting toilets. These are normal toilets- a nice ceramic bowl using a one-pint, low-flush system. Composting toilets take advantage of the natural talents of microorganisms. They break down waste into a healthy organic peat.

• Tiamo has a large solar field, with a daily electricity generating capacity of over 130,000 watts and a battery storage facility totaling 4,075 amp hours. Tiamo is the first full service resort utilizing 100% alternative energy for its electrical needs, including a commercial kitchen. This system was designed by the Real Goods Corporation of California and installed by the Tiamo team, composed mainly of local South Andros Island citizens.

• consider packaging in bulk when we make a purchase.
• ocal suppliers and are beginning to grow our own produce for even greater environmental efficiency.
• recycled paper for general office use and banana-fiber paper for letterhead and correspondence. We also reuse all scrap paper, using the opposite side for the printer and scrap pads.
• food waste is composted and is used later as fertilizer
• Paper products and packaging that is not reusable is burned and the ashes are kept for fertilizer.
• reuse plastic bottles, bowls and containers where possible
• We neatly clean and package our plastic waste in convenient bundles for guests to take back after their vacation to recycle. 
• reuse metal items whenever possible. Items that must be discarded, specifically tin and aluminum cans are crushed and donated to the Cans for Kids program in Nassau.
• only purchases beer in bottles that are bought back by the brewer. We have found a creative short-term solution for glass recycling. Any bottles that cannot be returned we crush and use in place of gravel in the mixing of cement for additional construction.
• using four stroke boat engines, carefully planning boat runs for less fuel consumption, using the clothes line instead of the clothes dryer, using simple cleaners such as baking soda and vinegar instead of chemicals, actually save us money and make this a more effective business

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• • Minimum site impact
   
  • Passive-cooling
   
  • Energy efficiency
  Each building is elevated using simple columns for minimum site impact and cooling purposes. No land alteration was needed, minimizing erosion. Buildings at Tiamo use several passive-cooling techniques: wraparound porches (to keep direct sun from main living areas); white reflective roofs; high-pitched ceilings; and an open design for maximum airflow. Each beach bungalow has been situated according to its preexisting surroundings, placed within indigenous trees and vegetation for both an optimum view of the water and also for privacy during your vacation. The buildings of Tiamo are wood frame structures constructed of nontoxic treated pine harvested from sustainable fores