Sustainability
Best practices for sustainability
Very happy to share our joy with you.
We have received two awards during the X Symposium of the Tourist Association of Apartments, held in November 2022.
They are not only awards, but also illusions, emotions and a lot of strength to keep working hard, day after day, to continue doing our job with passion. Without love for our dream come true in 2013, we could not be here.
For all this, we are very grateful to ATA for always being by our side and helping us to grow together, to the Faculty of Tourism of the UDG, to the Patronat de Turisme de la Costa Brava and to all the people who make the Girona Awards possible every year !
The two awards received are:
BEST TOURIST ACCOMMODATION WITH HISTORY AWARD , given to Cal Secretari de Can Gat Vell. A history from the eighteenth century (and perhaps even earlier) and written thanks to our meetings with our friendly neighbors Llampaies who have been kind enough to tell us many little things, to lend us photos of the time etc. . We have written and continue to write the history of our country for all of you so that it will never be forgotten
We have received two awards during the X Symposium of the Tourist Association of Apartments, held in November 2022.
They are not only awards, but also illusions, emotions and a lot of strength to keep working hard, day after day, to continue doing our job with passion. Without love for our dream come true in 2013, we could not be here.
For all this, we are very grateful to ATA for always being by our side and helping us to grow together, to the Faculty of Tourism of the UDG, to the Patronat de Turisme de la Costa Brava and to all the people who make the Girona Awards possible every year !
The two awards received are:
BEST TOURIST ACCOMMODATION WITH HISTORY AWARD , given to Cal Secretari de Can Gat Vell. A history from the eighteenth century (and perhaps even earlier) and written thanks to our meetings with our friendly neighbors Llampaies who have been kind enough to tell us many little things, to lend us photos of the time etc. . We have written and continue to write the history of our country for all of you so that it will never be forgotten
AWARD FOR BEST SUSTAINABLE TOURIST ACCOMMODATION , delivered at the Can Gat Vell estate, after several online trainings, and thanks to the talk with @bethgarrotxa, we found a great inspiration, since almost 90% of the "responsible gestures" we applied them day after day in our house. During 4 months we wrote our sustainable study and our Good Practices protocol. As Beth says "it is not necessary to make big revolutions in companies, it is only necessary to include small changes"
2024
Given the drought situation, today more than ever, let us remember our duty to further reduce water consumption.
what have we done and will we continue to do to reduce water consumption?
Apart from the daily and responsible gestures of each one of us, these are some of the important points that are related to our pool:
- we have bought a thermal blanket to prevent water evaporation during the night
- our Zodiac Pool Vortex robot is doing a fantastic job, cleaning the bottom and walls of the pool 100%, to avoid having to wash the filter more often and to keep the water free of dirt
- we have bought a new filter that is sustainable and does not need so much water when it is washed
- the water used to wash the filter is recovered
For the use of the pool, we ask you to lower the stairs to access the water and not to jump into it, so we avoid splashing and considerable losses of water.
"With small gestures we will take big steps"
how can you help us to be more sustainable?
- For better comfort in winter and sustainable awareness, let's be careful to leave doors and windows closed to avoid lowering the ambient temperature.
- In summer, we close the blinds in very hot hours so that the temperature does not rise so much.
- If we put the air conditioning on, let's be careful to leave the doors and windows tightly closed. We set the air conditioning at a reasonable temperature during the time we are at home and close it when we leave the house.
- Saving water is essential to guarantee the water supply over the years. That is why we recommend recovering the water from the shower faucet, the water that comes out takes some time to heat up to our ideal temperature, we will place a special red bucket to collect the water with the logo "Water is a scarce commodity, do not throw it away". The next day we will water the plants, you will be surprised how much water you can save.
what have we done and will we continue to do to reduce water consumption?
Apart from the daily and responsible gestures of each one of us, these are some of the important points that are related to our pool:
- we have bought a thermal blanket to prevent water evaporation during the night
- our Zodiac Pool Vortex robot is doing a fantastic job, cleaning the bottom and walls of the pool 100%, to avoid having to wash the filter more often and to keep the water free of dirt
- we have bought a new filter that is sustainable and does not need so much water when it is washed
- the water used to wash the filter is recovered
For the use of the pool, we ask you to lower the stairs to access the water and not to jump into it, so we avoid splashing and considerable losses of water.
"With small gestures we will take big steps"
how can you help us to be more sustainable?
- For better comfort in winter and sustainable awareness, let's be careful to leave doors and windows closed to avoid lowering the ambient temperature.
- In summer, we close the blinds in very hot hours so that the temperature does not rise so much.
- If we put the air conditioning on, let's be careful to leave the doors and windows tightly closed. We set the air conditioning at a reasonable temperature during the time we are at home and close it when we leave the house.
- Saving water is essential to guarantee the water supply over the years. That is why we recommend recovering the water from the shower faucet, the water that comes out takes some time to heat up to our ideal temperature, we will place a special red bucket to collect the water with the logo "Water is a scarce commodity, do not throw it away". The next day we will water the plants, you will be surprised how much water you can save.
- We drink tap water and stop producing plastic bottles or use glass bottles.
- Bags from our NGO's (Echoes of Mali and Brave Smiles) are ideal for shopping to avoid buying plastic bags.
- We turn off the lights when we leave the accommodation/room and turn off the air conditioning (if any).
- We fill the dishwasher and washing machine when we run them. We put the programs on "energy saving".
- Calculate your carbon footprint here
- As specified in the house rules, water games with guns and/or balloons are not allowed, as well as any activity that wastes the supply in general.
SUSTAINABILITY AT CAN GAT VELL
OUR CURRENT STUDY-PLAN
We ask for the collaboration of our guests to help us to be more sustainable. That is why we explain our gestures to them, since our small daily movements and measures make us go a long way.
First of all, we know that Can Gat Vell is an 18th century farmhouse completely restored respecting 100% the materials of the house and adapting it in the best possible way.
-We reuse an old farmhouse and improve it day after day.
-We reuse the antique furniture having restored them
-We reuse restored lamps/faucets and give a 2nd life to most of the materials. We don't throw anything away, we keep it because we are convinced that at some point and in some specific place it will find a space again. We do a lot of maintenance of wood and iron on a regular basis to prevent the materials from deteriorating.
-Restoring a property is sustainable, it is to recycle it for further use instead of leaving it abandoned and transforming it into a ruin
- Bags from our NGO's (Echoes of Mali and Brave Smiles) are ideal for shopping to avoid buying plastic bags.
- We turn off the lights when we leave the accommodation/room and turn off the air conditioning (if any).
- We fill the dishwasher and washing machine when we run them. We put the programs on "energy saving".
- Calculate your carbon footprint here
- As specified in the house rules, water games with guns and/or balloons are not allowed, as well as any activity that wastes the supply in general.
SUSTAINABILITY AT CAN GAT VELL
OUR CURRENT STUDY-PLAN
We ask for the collaboration of our guests to help us to be more sustainable. That is why we explain our gestures to them, since our small daily movements and measures make us go a long way.
First of all, we know that Can Gat Vell is an 18th century farmhouse completely restored respecting 100% the materials of the house and adapting it in the best possible way.
-We reuse an old farmhouse and improve it day after day.
-We reuse the antique furniture having restored them
-We reuse restored lamps/faucets and give a 2nd life to most of the materials. We don't throw anything away, we keep it because we are convinced that at some point and in some specific place it will find a space again. We do a lot of maintenance of wood and iron on a regular basis to prevent the materials from deteriorating.
-Restoring a property is sustainable, it is to recycle it for further use instead of leaving it abandoned and transforming it into a ruin
Social Sustainability
-We offer transformative experiences such as Yoga retreats, Mindfulness, Rebirthing, and other activities
-We help to discover our forest, to listen to the birds singing, to live the silence, to enjoy nature and to respect it is also Sustainability
-Through the networks we share the different seasons of the year, their colors and smells, the plants and flowers
-We facilitate the approach to nature and also to animals, sharing the state and experiences with rabbits, chickens, birds and our cat and we also recommend guided visits to farms/agro-tourism/farm.
-We help children to get close to the animals in the henhouse, feed them and tell them anecdotes
-We promote local economy and Km0 products. We buy and recommend placing orders at the Suma supermarket in our town, visit the Gou store in Camallera with its local products, buy fruit and vegetables direct from the farmer with home delivery, enjoy the cake bread from the bread oven as well as the vegetables and fruit from the Vegetal store, and buy meat from our colleagues in Camallera. We also have contact with organic producers from L'Escala and Ventalló.
We recommend a walk through the weekly markets and craft markets in the area, as well as vintage markets and / or 2nd hand
-In our little shop, we offer wine, honey and oil from the Empordà
-We sponsor the Camallera soccer club and fairs/events of the municipality (Bird Fair, Mainada Festival etc.)
-We collaborate with local projects, such as Welcome to Pagès
-We have hired a worker from our municipality
-We propose that you calculate your carbon footprint-calculator: https://calculadora-carbono.climatehero.me/
-In the library, we have at your disposal books and encyclopedias that you can consult about the local fauna and at the reception, we put at your disposal books with rural paths for walking or cycling routes
-We encourage respect and coexistence between different families
-We help and collaborate with two NGOs:
-Sonrisas Valientes por la distrofia muscular infantil, we are one of the collection points for plastic caps to raise funds for the research of the disease, we also sell bags and bracelets.
-Echoes of Mali, we sell soaps, creams, bags and sachets to give the money raised to help in the construction of schools / hiring teachers / development of gardens etc..
-We help to discover our forest, to listen to the birds singing, to live the silence, to enjoy nature and to respect it is also Sustainability
-Through the networks we share the different seasons of the year, their colors and smells, the plants and flowers
-We facilitate the approach to nature and also to animals, sharing the state and experiences with rabbits, chickens, birds and our cat and we also recommend guided visits to farms/agro-tourism/farm.
-We help children to get close to the animals in the henhouse, feed them and tell them anecdotes
-We promote local economy and Km0 products. We buy and recommend placing orders at the Suma supermarket in our town, visit the Gou store in Camallera with its local products, buy fruit and vegetables direct from the farmer with home delivery, enjoy the cake bread from the bread oven as well as the vegetables and fruit from the Vegetal store, and buy meat from our colleagues in Camallera. We also have contact with organic producers from L'Escala and Ventalló.
We recommend a walk through the weekly markets and craft markets in the area, as well as vintage markets and / or 2nd hand
-In our little shop, we offer wine, honey and oil from the Empordà
-We sponsor the Camallera soccer club and fairs/events of the municipality (Bird Fair, Mainada Festival etc.)
-We collaborate with local projects, such as Welcome to Pagès
-We have hired a worker from our municipality
-We propose that you calculate your carbon footprint-calculator: https://calculadora-carbono.climatehero.me/
-In the library, we have at your disposal books and encyclopedias that you can consult about the local fauna and at the reception, we put at your disposal books with rural paths for walking or cycling routes
-We encourage respect and coexistence between different families
-We help and collaborate with two NGOs:
-Sonrisas Valientes por la distrofia muscular infantil, we are one of the collection points for plastic caps to raise funds for the research of the disease, we also sell bags and bracelets.
-Echoes of Mali, we sell soaps, creams, bags and sachets to give the money raised to help in the construction of schools / hiring teachers / development of gardens etc..
Sustainability Mobility
- We recommend the restaurants in our surroundings, to discover our homemade and typical gastronomy of the area
- We publish on our website, through a PDF as well as a folder of information in our houses and includes the following information:
- Itineraries on foot or by bike in the Alt Empordà and the different regions.
- Public transport information: suburban and regional lines (R11-RG1) with stop in Camallera, bus line, etc.
- Bike rental to discover the paths along the shore
- Electric car charging point in Camallera (next to the church)
- We give information of Itinerannia, as some paths pass 10 meters from Can Gat Vell
- We give information about the GR1, with a path behind our house
- We give information about the APP Diskover, to discover everything we have in our environment. We also include in this APP "our" points of interest.
- A few days before your arrival, we send the Welcome email to our guests, so you can plan your stay, festivals, markets, festivals etc.. Our passion is also to make our guests discover our surroundings
- We publish on our website, through a PDF as well as a folder of information in our houses and includes the following information:
- Itineraries on foot or by bike in the Alt Empordà and the different regions.
- Public transport information: suburban and regional lines (R11-RG1) with stop in Camallera, bus line, etc.
- Bike rental to discover the paths along the shore
- Electric car charging point in Camallera (next to the church)
- We give information of Itinerannia, as some paths pass 10 meters from Can Gat Vell
- We give information about the GR1, with a path behind our house
- We give information about the APP Diskover, to discover everything we have in our environment. We also include in this APP "our" points of interest.
- A few days before your arrival, we send the Welcome email to our guests, so you can plan your stay, festivals, markets, festivals etc.. Our passion is also to make our guests discover our surroundings
Environmental Sustainability
-Waste, we have buckets of yellow-blue-green colors, and 50m the City Council of Camallera, Saus and Llampaies puts at our disposal the recycling and waste containers to facilitate their use.
-We recover the used oil and take it to the clean point of Camallera. In case of need, please let us know
-We have changed all the traditional bulbs into LED bulbs
-We have the box of bulbs to recycle
-We recover the used batteries and we throw them to the recycling site
-We recover the coffee capsules to recycle them. We have the box in the store.
-We recover rainwater and use it for watering the garden and plants. We also place buckets under the gutters and drains of the house.
-Our irrigation is automatic with dispersers, fed by the rainwater recovery cistern, and programmed according to the season and the corresponding percentage
-All leftover food (fruits, vegetables, bread, etc.) is given to the animals. It is our organic space. Just like the grass in our garden, we give it to the animals, so do the branches and leaves of mulberry trees. You will see a pot hanging on the fence of the chicken coop, if possible, we leave the grass to give to the animals.
-We use the soil from the chicken coop, mixed with feces, leaves, etc. to fill the planters and pots, nothing better to take care of nature.
-As we change the electrical appliances, we buy more energy efficient ones
-In the outdoor areas for communal use we offer lighting with sensors and/or timers and most lights are turned off at one o'clock in the morning and turn off completely when there are no guests. In some spaces we have a motion detector
-The air conditioners work with WIFI and allow remote control in case of forgetfulness or to check if any window has been left open, i.e. we have an intelligent control with respect to air conditioning, heating, lighting, etc.
-We try to change the conventional taps to taps with thermostatic mixer to avoid wasting water, although we must say that we have facilities with rustic and old taps, therefore, very often, it is not very compatible
-Little by little we are changing the bathtubs into showers
-We change little by little the doors and windows to improve insulation
-We do not print or print as little as possible, making the most of all unused pages. We print on both sides if possible and in draft quality, so we spend less. Old cartridges are sent by post to the corresponding company for recycling.
-Instead of brochures, we send the activity dossiers/phone document of interest and practical information prior to arrival in PDF and by email
-The glasses in the toilets are made of glass
-We recover the used oil and take it to the clean point of Camallera. In case of need, please let us know
-We have changed all the traditional bulbs into LED bulbs
-We have the box of bulbs to recycle
-We recover the used batteries and we throw them to the recycling site
-We recover the coffee capsules to recycle them. We have the box in the store.
-We recover rainwater and use it for watering the garden and plants. We also place buckets under the gutters and drains of the house.
-Our irrigation is automatic with dispersers, fed by the rainwater recovery cistern, and programmed according to the season and the corresponding percentage
-All leftover food (fruits, vegetables, bread, etc.) is given to the animals. It is our organic space. Just like the grass in our garden, we give it to the animals, so do the branches and leaves of mulberry trees. You will see a pot hanging on the fence of the chicken coop, if possible, we leave the grass to give to the animals.
-We use the soil from the chicken coop, mixed with feces, leaves, etc. to fill the planters and pots, nothing better to take care of nature.
-As we change the electrical appliances, we buy more energy efficient ones
-In the outdoor areas for communal use we offer lighting with sensors and/or timers and most lights are turned off at one o'clock in the morning and turn off completely when there are no guests. In some spaces we have a motion detector
-The air conditioners work with WIFI and allow remote control in case of forgetfulness or to check if any window has been left open, i.e. we have an intelligent control with respect to air conditioning, heating, lighting, etc.
-We try to change the conventional taps to taps with thermostatic mixer to avoid wasting water, although we must say that we have facilities with rustic and old taps, therefore, very often, it is not very compatible
-Little by little we are changing the bathtubs into showers
-We change little by little the doors and windows to improve insulation
-We do not print or print as little as possible, making the most of all unused pages. We print on both sides if possible and in draft quality, so we spend less. Old cartridges are sent by post to the corresponding company for recycling.
-Instead of brochures, we send the activity dossiers/phone document of interest and practical information prior to arrival in PDF and by email
-The glasses in the toilets are made of glass
Infographic of Beth Cobos' presentation
Economic Sustainability
let's not waste! Let's think about reducing energy consumption and we will save money.
We reuse, recycle, give a second life to products/furniture, etc.
For a better control of energy we collect monthly data on consumption and expenditure.
We reuse, recycle, give a second life to products/furniture, etc.
For a better control of energy we collect monthly data on consumption and expenditure.
