At Naéco, we take care of the planet! We've created a environmental charter for our hotels in Southern Brittany, we tell you all about it on this page.
A commitment to eco-responsibility for sustainable tourism
At Naéco Hostels, we do our best to promote sustainable tourism. On a daily basis, we also strive to implement actions that reduce the impact of your stay on the planet.
We have created a commitment charter for our establishments, which 4 axes : waste, water, energy and social issues. This provides us with a guideline to best direct our actions, and achieve the various objectives we set ourselves.
The Naéco environmental charter: our eco-responsible approach
The introduction of this charter enables us to set out more formally our values and commitments, and to guide our organization in the development of these solutions.
This eco-responsible approach is based on the rational upkeep of our green spaces, actions to save water and energy, and waste management on our sites. But also on a purchasing policy favoring the economic development of our beautiful region of Brittany, by relying on local craftsmen and creators, as well as on the’circular economy.
Discover here eco-responsible actions that we try to implement as much as possible to respect the planet.
Circular economy and waste management
Our strategy to reduce our waste production is based on 3Rs principle Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:
- Reduce waste at source: eliminating over-packaged products, buying in bulk, using eco-friendly materials for our renovations.
- Reuse : we focus on’circular economy and reuse by salvaging old furniture which we renovate in our workshop to give them a second life in our establishments. For our computer equipment and other work materials, we opt for reconditioned or second-hand products (computers, printers, ink cartridges, lawnmowers, etc.).
- Recycling : collection and recycling of hazardous waste (batteries, light bulbs, etc.), selective sorting, composting. Combating food waste by offering baskets via the To Good To Go app, and recycling food scraps by feeding them to our chickens and goats.
Generally speaking, we favor reusable solutions, repairing what can be repaired, and creating our own furniture from recycled natural materials (our famous logs for bedside tables, our book boxes, outdoor furniture and breakfast trays).
Water management: recovery and sobriety
Preserving water resources is a central pillar of our strategy. environmental charter.
- Rainwater harvesting : installation of rainwater recovery systems to ensure rational watering of our green spaces.
- Equipment optimization : installation of water-saving devices and timed mixers, structural preference for showers over baths in our renovations.
- Maintenance and follow-up : regular monitoring of water consumption volumes to detect any drift. Immediate reporting of water-related leaks or anomalies.
- Customer awareness : cleaning of towels and re-drying of the room on request, encouragement not to leave the water running unnecessarily.
Energy efficiency and sustainable mobility
We take action to improve infrastructure efficiency and modes of transport to minimize the carbon footprint of your stay.
- Building performance : widespread use of low-energy light bulbs and class A or B household appliances. Insulation of pipes and single points, installation of thermostatic valves. Refurbished, Energy Star-certified IT equipment. Installation of motion detectors in common areas to limit unnecessary lighting. Installation of charging stations for electric vehicles.
- Energy monitoring : regular monitoring of kilowatt-hours (kWh) consumed by sector of activity.
- Soft mobility : active promotion of soft modes of transport, creation of carpooling offers, highlighting of public transport solutions, promotional offers for customers coming on foot, by bike or by bus.
- Eco-gestures in the bedroom : encouraging customers to turn off lights, avoid unnecessary standby (TV, computers, etc.), unplug chargers, turn off heating when airing rooms...
Social commitment & sustainable development
Naéco Hostels is part of a territorial ecosystem and local nature.
- Local biodiversity : in partnership with a local beekeeper, we host beehives in our gardens to offer you our homemade 100% honey for breakfast. Goats are also present when the terrain lends itself to eco-pasturing, but also for the pleasure of our visitors. Finally, chickens are always present at Naéco to help us recycle food scraps and provide us with good compost, but also to bring a little life into our gardens.
- Regional economy : a purchasing policy that favors short supply chains and close partnerships with the local craftsmen and producers closest to our establishments.
- Education and training : Specific training for staff in environmental issues and eco-tourism. Raising customer awareness to reduce their carbon footprint during their stay, eco-gestures to respect during their stay, advice for eco-responsible stays and outings, creation of green services (ecological seminars, nature activities, etc.).
- Products and wellness : use of ecological cleaning products, maintenance of our gardens without pesticides, promotion of a calm and relaxing environment within the establishment, promotion of slow-tourism values, sale of eco-responsible goodies (water bottles, bulk soap, wax made from beeswax...).
The Naéco#Responsables association and its actions in Brittany
With our non-profit association «Naéco#Responsables» (law 1901 identifier W294011231), we support, accompany and organize ecological and socially responsible projects in the localities where we operate.
The actions and commitments of’association Naéco are focused on 3 areas:
- Preservation actions of nature and the oceans beach clean-ups, sponsorship via the «eau & rivières» association, repair day...
- Discovering outdoor activities for people with disabilities We offer a wide range of activities, from surfing to horseback riding.
- Raising awareness of ecology and nature among children We offer a range of activities: a workshop to discover the local flora and fauna, an introductory tree-climbing workshop, and a chance to meet the animals that live on our sites (chickens, goats and bees).
Eco-actions to adopt at Naéco and in everyday life
Last but not least, we encourage our customers and employees to make eco-friendly gestures to set up.
During your eco-friendly stay at the hotel :
- Remember to turn off the lights when you leave your room.
- When it comes to getting around, consider carpooling, taking the hotel shuttle or cycling.
- Preserve the surrounding calm by activating your phone's silent mode in shared spaces.
- Please let us know of any visible anomalies on the premises (water leaks, windows that don't close...).
- Remember to sort your waste (containers available at the site entrance).
- If you're staying several nights, remember to reuse your towels by placing them on the towel rail in your bathroom. Otherwise, please dispose of them in the shower tray or sink.
- Don't leave the tap running unnecessarily.
- Avoid turning the heating up to the maximum, and remember not to leave the heating on if you air your room.
- Avoid leaving electrical appliances on standby, especially your computer or television.
During your eco-responsible stay At Naéco Hostels, you can put these actions into practice, and reuse them at home.
Find out more about eco-actions to adopt at the beach in our article on the subject!
To do your best, every gesture counts
We know that no one can be perfect right from the start when it comes to changing lifestyle habits and consumption patterns. But at Naéco Hostels, we believe that small individual actions can bring about big changes.
That's right, Pierre Rabhi tells us an Amerindian legend that sums up what we're talking about:
One day, the legend goes, there was a huge forest fire. All the animals, terrified and dismayed, watched helplessly as the disaster unfolded. Only the little hummingbird was busy fetching a few drops with his beak and throwing them on the fire. After a while, the armadillo, annoyed by this ridiculous agitation, said to him «Hummingbird! Are you crazy? You're not going to put out the fire with those drops of water!»
And the hummingbird replied, «I know that, but I'm doing my bit.
