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Our Green Effort - Overview

Eco Serendib Operating In Harmony With Nature

Eco Serendib Villa and Spa has set new standards for eco-luxury in the U.S. Virgin Islands while showcasing how luxury and ecologically sensitive products/systems can co-exist in harmony. The villa’s sustainability programs touch all areas – from energy reduction and management, waste and water management, environmental purchasing as well as construction/design. They also extend beyond the borders of the retreat: $45,000 to date has been funneled to conservation efforts on St. John. In April 2015, Eco Serendib committed $25,000 to Preserve St. John to help create a vital island-wide recycling program. In 2012, the villa established the Eco Serendib Beach Restoration Project, a program that plants indigenous trees on the coastline to combat the devasting effects of erosion while reducing the carbon footprint. $20,000 has been contributed to that effort.

A select group of companies and organizations that are committed to the environment were brought together at Eco Serendib to create a sustainable showplace, demonstrating how luxury and ecological responsibility can co-exist in harmony. (A list of key eco elements is below.) The mission is to engage and excite guests, thus inspiring them to embrace the benefits of greener living and, realizing how little needs to be forfeited to live a more eco-friendly existence, incorporate elements into their own lives while educating and influencing others. Eco Serendib is always on the lookout for innovative eco companies that can contribute to the guest experience.

Eco Serendib educates, engages and excites guests on ways to reduce the carbon footprint in an unobtrusive, low-key way, immersing “edutainment” as part of the experience.

The villa does not claim to be 100% green but instead demonstrates how it is possible to live in a smarter, more sustainable way while still enjoying modern conveniences and luxury. Likewise, the goal is for others in the hospitality and tourism arena to be inspired to incorporate more eco-friendly elements into their businesses while giving back to the local community.

For his efforts at Eco Serendib, Chief Visionary Officer Harith Wickrema was recognized as one of the top ten hospitality innovators in the area of sustainability by Lodging magazine, a leading industry journal.

Highlights of sustainable elements include:

  • Suniva solar panels that significantly reduce carbon emissions; see quantitative data in next section
  • An organic “Seed to Plate” garden for fresh produce and herbs; excess harvest is shared with the community. Seeds from past harvests are used to grow the next batch of vegetables. Composting of appropriate items is used for fertilizer
  • Sodashi all-natural, chemical-free products in spa; items from onsite organic garden incorporated into treatments
  • Re-use of old roofing tiles as terraces in the onsite organic garden
  • Sub-Zero/Wolf kitchen appliances that use less energy than a 100-watt bulb and are made from as much as 75 percent recycled materials; fast, induction cooking
  • Luxury Bullfrog hot tub, most energy-efficient spa on the market
  • Water-conservation products from Kohler
  • Energy Star appliances and electronics throughout the villa including in the business center operation
  • Gray water system for irrigation; drip irrigation system for water conservation
  • Three separate 20,000-gallon cisterns to collect rain water as well as over-sized gutters on the roof to collect additional rainwater
  • Rain sensor timed soaking irrigation system to maximize watering of the organic garden
  • Reflective barriers on the roof that reduce the impact of the sun on interior room temperature; the reflective barriers are made from recycled materials
  • Continental Girbau washer/dryer uses 50% less water and half the energy of traditional laundry equipment. Utilizing ozone in water allows less detergent and cold water, making more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The dryer drys clothes in half the time of typical dryers. Continental Girbau is also a leader in green manufacturing processes
  • Tile flooring and marble, reclaimed from another St. John property, were re-purposed in several bathrooms. The countertops in the several bathrooms were also constructed from re-purposed granite (previously kitchen counters)
  • Use of membrane barriers to keep rooms cooler
  • Salt water pool, eliminating the need for chlorine and other harsh chemicals
  • Outdoor barbecue area constructed of recycled styrofoam blocks that are covered with Travertino plaster (environmentally friendly material imported from Italy), which is non-flammable and insulates/protects. In addition to helping the environment by re-purposing used styrofoam, it is also lightweight to ship, which helps minimize the carbon footprint
  • Susan Jablon Mosaics, featured at the full-service spa and pool area, made of from 100% recycled windshield glass
  • The Garden of Glass glass mulch lining Zen garden walkways made of 100% recycled soda bottle glass – visually stunning and environmentally responsible
  • Eco-friendly American Clay plaster walls in spa
  • Elegant dining room table and boardroom table, which appear to be made of marble, are constructed from left-over construction materials and eco-friendly epoxy by Aurastone
  • Sustainable design textile in the bedroom suites from Andrew Morgan Collection
  • Gloster furniture, which is produced using sustainable plantation management systems
  • Boardroom technology that allows for completely paperless meetings including Tabrasa writable walls and Hitachi interactive white board technology; documents can be transmitted directly to participants’ computers
  • Rubber flooring in the gym and outdoor rugs are made from recycled tire material
  • Repurposing of stones used for the construction of outdoor shower
  • Solar walkway/driveway lights
  • Exclusive use of eco-friendly paint, plaster and finishes throughout the villa
  • Ceilings use tile made from 40% post-consumer recycled packaging waste (Ceilume Sustainable Ceiling Tiles)
  • Durock cement board, which incorporates recycled materials, was used thoughout the villa in the construction of the walls
  • Supa doors throughout that are made from 85% recycled materials
  • Feeney steel railings around the terraces are made from 70% reclaimed materials
  • Sound-proofing was achieved through rubberized wall coating, which incorporates recycled rubber
  • “Edutaining” eco-tour of the villa for all guests, explaining the eco-friendly aspects of the property which are invisible to the eye and offer “guiltless indulgence” since they take nothing away from the luxury experience; turndown service includes eco facts and innovative ways to reduce the carbon footprint
  • Use of Kindle for downloading books. Guests are given one free book per stay that are then left for future guests
  • $20,000 of funding since institution of Eco Serendib Beach Restoration Program in 2012. Program counteracts carbon emissions while combating erosion by planting one native tree at an area beach for every night booked at the villa. The investment is particularly significant considering that Eco Serendib is an independent property (explained in more detail in separate Beach Restoration release)
  • $25,000 towards Preserve St. John, island-wide recycling program
  • Donation of excess building materials to the Island Green Building Association, allowing for introduction of low cost ReSource Depot where the community can obtain recycled building materials at lower cost
  • Recruiting and training local staff who are in need of career opportunities. Invest in training for a marketable vocation in the hospitality industry
  • SEER 19 rated air conditioning units
  • LED and CFL lighting throughout
  • Aloe, banana leaf, holy basil in spa treatments as well as signature tea made from 100% villa-grown items (lemongrass, sugar cane, mint)

Bespoke Luxury

Turn cooking and dinner into an interactive experience - a true feast for all of the senses.

Green Commitment

Find out what we do at Eco Serendib related to CSR, sustainability and conservation.

Island History

St. John is an island like no other, with culture, charisma and the most wonderful beaches in the world.

Services & Amenities

Eco Serendib offers a wide-range of services and amenities - find out more.