1. ¿What does SIGAS means?

More than 2 years ago, Hotel Poco a Poco started an ambitious and committed program of environmentally responsible management and operation, the adequate use of resources and their conservation.

This Integrated System of Environmental and Sustainable Management is known as SIGAS in Spanish, and compresses not only our natural environment, but the social, communal aspects and impacts of our operation.

Through this program, Poco a Poco aims to achieve a level of sustainable efficiency and to positively transcend towards other strategic allies, the neighboring community, our staff members, guests and clientele.

We have integrated elements from the initiative INTE/ISO 14001:2004 for Hotels and lodging establishments, and are currently on the process of obtaining the Sustainable Tourism Certification granted by the Costa Rican Tourism Board.

Furthermore, Poco a Poco has already initiated a process in which, along with other hotels and companies, is participating on a national initiative, sponsored by the Costa Rican government of becoming a CO2 neutral country by the year 2021.

2. Hotel Poco a Poco´s Sustainability Policy:

• To Plan and develop actions and procedures that will reduce the consumption of resources to the minimum possible.
• To Organize the Sustainable Management and operation on a way that will become a “modos vivendi.”
• To Create a level of consciousness among our staff, our costumers and providers, on subjects such as environment, life quality and responsible actions.
• By Offering qualified and valuable training, we want to achieve efficient team work, leadership and commitment. Through evaluations and feed back the accomplishment of our goals can be measured.
• To Attend and support local, national and global initiatives in defence of our environment, cultural wealth, human rights and life in general.
• To Propose ideas and actions determined to improve the relationship of human beings and nature.
• To Observe, participate and get involved in finding solutions to the problems and threatens of the community.
• To Contribute by actions and positive reinforcement in favour of the moral, ethical and social values of our collaborators and their families.
• To Opt for a model of sustainable development that will allow us to grow, evolve and reach the highest standards of service, excellence and quality. In a way that guests and others can appreciate and share, transcending to other operations, countries and life styles.

SIGAS in actions:

At Poco a Poco we think green!!:

• Poco a Poco has a water treatment plant, decontaminating the used water since 2005.
• After water is treated, an irrigation system distributes it on our garden, allowing for its clean return into nature and providing safe and clean nutrients to our plants.
• To heat our pool, we use a special heating device that does not affect the environment, since is free of CFC`s.
• Since 2006, we have carried a program of selection, processing and shipping of recyclables. Guest and staff are both encouraged to adopt these actions on their homes.
• We purchase large, non disposable containers. When possible, containers are refilled by our suppliers in order to waste the minimum resources. Individual serving packages are avoided:  sugar, mayonnaise, ketchup, soap and others are bought on large portions and used as necessary. Table cloths, silverware, napkins and others are non disposable.
• There has been a lot of dedication and efforts to provide our collaborators with valuable training and information on Environmental Education. With the support of local organizations, friends and allies, we now have a small team of educators that are leading the Environmental Education process at a local school.
• We try to work and purchase as much as possible from local producers and manufactures: Innocuous vegetables, cheese, milk and others.
• All cleaning products are biodegradable. Soap dispensers are available at showers and rest rooms.  Disposable garbage bags are oxo-biodegradable.  
• Over 75% of the plants at our garden are native; the majority of them have English/ Spanish natural history tags.
• Since Oct 2006, we have run an energy management program, in coordination with the Energy Conservation Department of the Costa Rican Electric Company, ICE.

Programs, accreditations and certificates:

• Since 2007, we have been working on a System of Environmental Management according to the INTE/ISO 14001:2004 normative, for hotels and other lodging companies.
• Since March, 2008. Hotel Poco a Poco is officially incorporated on the program of Sustainable Tourism Certificate, granted by the Costa Rican Tourist Board. ICT.
• Hotel Poco a Poco is actively involved with the local Committee  “Pro Bandera Azul”; a communal effort where companies, other organizations and the local government are working together to obtain a certification on ecologically  friendly practices, involving the community in general. Our roll is focused on Environmental Education and Communal and Touristic security.
• Since Oct 2008, we are participating on the program of Inventory of Green House Effect Gasses, (GEI in Spanish) for the hotel industry; sponsored by the Office of Climate Change from the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications, MINAE.
• As the construction and renovation works are carried out, we have incorporated the principles of CO2 neutral  operation and the norms of INTECO-ISO 14064.

Socially responsible actions:

• Hotel Poco a Poco supports the Program “Amigos de la Conservación” from the Arenal–Tempisque Conservation Area and the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Preserve. Since 2005 monthly monetary donations and logistic cooperation have support educational programs, operational needs and other topics. Our agreement extends until 2012.
• On 2008 and again on 2009, we signed an agreement of cooperation with The Tropical Scientific Center, specifically with the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve. With the idea of working together on advertisement, marketing and eco-friendly practices. Our guests are encouraged to visit the reserve with a special discount on the entrance fee.
• Hotel Poco a Poco supports various reforestation programs sponsored by local organizations or by national initiatives: Our guest, co-workers, their children and families have planted native reforestation trees on our premises, back yards, farms and along river streams and springs. As part of our Environmental Education program, children at “La Lindora” primary school have planted trees around their classrooms, and have learned about the importance of protecting the forest.  
• The Creative School is a leading educational facility in Monteverde, Poco a Poco supports their artistic and recreational programs, and is now involved with the collection of used cooking oil for their experimental biodiesel station.
• Costa Rica is vigorously fighting against children exploitation of any kind. The National’s Tourism Board, ICT, has promoted a Code of Conduct to which we commit and respond. A zero tolerance policy is applied in favour of children and their rights.
• The hotel’s purchasing policies are focused into maintaining the highest quality standards, local products are prioritized and indigenous ingredients are incorporated into our menu. Through these actions we help to create a better, more homogeneous distribution of income and more families are directly benefited by the tourism industry.