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ECOCLUB, Issue 89
auditing of their carbon footprint. We are closely examining our trips and seeing how they can be both more environmentally
efficient and have their carbon emissions offset. We are eager for people to learn more about the serious issue of climate
change, so commencing in September 2006 we offered to pay for their tickets to see (Al Gore’s) “An Inconvenient Truth”.
3,900 people saw the movie compliments of Intrepid and we reimbursed a total of AUD
$38,765.80 in ticket costs! We have
very busy times ahead!
ECOCLUB: Thank you very much
About Intrepid Travel: Intrepid operate affordable small group adventures, currently in 96 countries throughout Asia,
Australasia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and South America. Intrepid aim to operate trips in a way that both respects and
benefits local people, their culture and the environment, to utilise local transport and locally-owned hotels where possible and
employ local guides in partnership with group leaders, ensuring optimum tourism income remains within the community. In
2002 Intrepid established The Intrepid Foundation, providing travellers with a unique opportunity to provide support to grass
roots community development projects operated by local and international NGOs. Travellers’ donations are matched dollar for
dollar by Intrepid and in 2007 the company aims to distribute over USD 1 million. More details at: www.intrepidtravel.com
2nd ECOCLUB.com PHOTO ESSAY COMPETITION
ECOCLUB celebrated Earth Day 2007 on 21 March, with Photo Essay Competition on Waste Management in Tourism
Following a member vote, and a tight contest the Photo Essay "Chariot &
Castle of the King of Garbage" by Andres Hammerman & Michelle Kirby,
of Black Sheep Inn, Ecuador (Web: http://www.blacksheepinn.com ) won
the 2nd ECOCLUB.com Earth Day Photo Essay Competition. The prize is
Euros 150 worth of ecological products!
This year's theme was Tourism Rubbish! Or, more politely: Best practices in
Waste Management in Tourism. Minimising Waste is at the heart of
Ecotourism, both in a literal and a figurative sense. Garbage is Waste, but so
is Luxury. In our competition however, the emphasis was on positive,
innovative examples of management of waste resulting from tourist-related activities.
The runner-up, was a photo essay entitled "Protecting the reeds & ducks" by Francisco Sandoval of Eco-Hotel Uxlabil Atitlan,
Guatemala (Web: http://www.uxlabil.com ) To see all the interesting photo essays, please go to
The winning photo essay is included below:
The impetus for this project came from a local
Ecolodge. This photo taken on January 10th
2007 shows the recycling centre of Chugchilán
during construction. Walls are built out of
locally made adobes; columns and roofing
material were salvaged from the remains of
another building in the village center. Five
gallon jugs from cooking oil, biodegradable
soaps and shampoos are being reused to
transport water. Local county mayor donated
the 3-wheeled vehicle to transport organic and
inorganic waste to the recycling site.
The building was completed in January and is
weekly receiving waste from the village of
Chugchilán. 50% of the waste by volume is
organic and is being composted; the other 50%
is classified into carton, soft and hard plastic,
aluminum, batteries, metal and stored in the
recycling centre.
Local city council and a community fund
established by a local ecolodge cover the salaries of recycling workers. Proceeds from recycled materials go directly to the
people sorting in order to give them an incentive for better classifying. Tourists participate in clean up days.
0704 - "Chariot & Castle of the King of Garbage" – Ecuador – Winner 2007