Energy Management

• Hot water is provided by electric heaters, which we are in the process of applying timers to, in order to reduce the amount of electricity required. At the same time we are investigating the feasibility of installing on demand gas heaters fed by our own biodigester.
• Our location at 3000 ft allows us the luxury of not having to fit air conditioners in the rooms. However fans are available on request.
• A notice in the room encourages our guests to turn off lights, etc when they are not in their rooms.
• Energy saving light bulbs are installed on the front entrances and verandahs of the rooms. Warmer light is found in the bedside lamps and sconces.
• Guests are encouraged to use the laundry as little as possible in order to allow us to conserve water and electricity.
• We are working with a local company to monitor the phasing of our commercial equipment and to reduce the cycling of our refrigeration.
• We are currently planning for the solar heating for our laundry and recycling of the washing water, which will make a significant reduction in our consumption.
• Investigations have started in solar heating for the main kitchen hot water system and preheating for the commercial washer, at the same time complying with HCCP regulations.

Chemical Husbandry

• No pesticides or insecticides are used in the garden.
• Only phosphate and chlorine free detergents are used in the laundry and housekeeping departments.
• All detergents used in the Laundry, Kitchens and Housekeeping departments are environmentally friendly.
• We have intentionally changed our table settings from white linen at lunch and dinner to using our famous African fabric place mats and serviettes to reduce laundry usage.
• No form of chemical fertilizer is used in the gardens or coffee farm.
• Daily monitoring of pool chorine content and Ph according to HCCP regulations, allows as little chlorine to be used as possible.
• All Spa products are from Aveda who use organic plant ingredients and recycled plastic for their bottling.

Design

• Our negative edge pool with waterfall was designed as a natural form of water heating and aeration.
• The property was designed around the mountain’s topography and the natural drainage gullies have been re-enforced with wrip-wrap to cope with the increased surface water.
• All houses have been built using traditional methods of mortice and tenant jointing with glue to ensure a very strong bond. The training of craftsmen keeps alive the more interesting forms of Georgian architecture.
• No trees were cut down – all buildings were sited around them
• All roadways were laid on the remnants of pathways solidifying the natural topography in the modern design.
• To ensure minimum electricity consumption, 3 phase power was contracted and installed to allow Strawberry Hill to use power efficient 3-phase motors.
• All electrical and telephonic cabling was ducted and laid underground to preserve the sites natural integrity.

Facilities

• 120,000 gallons of water is stored in 3 tanks on property and filtered before being distributed. All necessary care is taken for the treatment of Legionella’s .
• A 250 KVA KOHL diesel generator with ATS is present for back up energy generation.
• All organic waste from the kitchen is given to pig farmers. Plastic bottles are sent to the recycling plant in Kingston. All other garbage is collected by a registered Governmental firm to ensure correct disposal.
• All usable garden clippings are composted for use as mulch in the gardens.
• A small onsite workshop ensures correct finishes and repair of wooden furniture is enforced. A special home made formulated stain allows Strawberry Hill to use approved forestry grown young Mahogany wood.

Community

• Most vegetable and fruit produce is contracted in the area. The balance is purchased from Coronation Market in Kingston.
• Investment is made in the community through a music school, dancing lessons, adult education and private tutoring for adults.
• Annual donations have been pledged for the development of a large Sports facility over a ten year period in conjunction with the Irish Town, Middleton Residents Association.
• One dollar per room night sold is donated to the Jamaican Conservation Development Trust to assist in the preservation of Mount Horab, the last 700 acres of primary forest found west of the Blue Mountain Peak and an important habitat to 24 of the 24 endemic species of birds found in the mountains.
• Other donations are made to individual projects involving community-based associations.
• Baking, eggs and locally made craft items are encouraged and purchased.

We are currently in the process of cleaning and creating trails in 20 acres of our indigenous forest on property for the purpose of establishing a Bird Sanctuary with Feeding areas.