From the initial landscaping design we have used organic fertilisers and garden mulch to provide nutrients for our plants.  We do not burn any of our garden waste and we mulch it or send it away for composting on a larger scale.  We utilise a small compost system for wet waste, although much of it is recycled by our staff as feed for their pigs.

Much of the cardboard materials are also reused by the staff for their plantations.  Glass bottles and plastics and aluminium cans are separated for collection.

Where possible, low-voltage and compact fluorescent light fixtures are used and several timers are also utilised to reduce power consumption around the property.

The genuine coconut-thatched roofs provide a natural cooling effect on the villas thereby reducing the load for the air conditioners.  Very shortly we will be installing new, more efficient air conditioners to further reduce our power consumption.  Each villa has two ceiling fans which encourages less reliability on the A/C units.

All faucets have aerators to help reduce water consumption, and toilets have the two-button flush system.  Having ample rainfall reduces the necessity to water the grounds most of the year.  We have a large underground water storage tank and it is multi-filtered, UV and carbon-treated and suitable for drinking, further reducing the reliance on bolted water containers by guests.

While there are several sewage treatment systems installed in the Cook Islands, no system has been given the full approval for certification by the Health and Environment Authorities.  Currently two two-chamber septic tank systems are employed at Royale Takitumu and when a ‘system’ has demonstrated long-term reliability and results we will proceed with its installation. These systems utilise pumps and electrical fans/blowers which from time to time do require maintenance and can break down.

Propane is used for cooking and hot water as it is more cost-effective than electricity.  With solar hot water systems an electrical boost is required to maintain sufficient hot water over long periods of time and was found to be a more expensive option than the gas.  However, with recent advancements in efficiency, photovoltaic solar systems are becoming more cost effective as fuel prices rise and we are investigating the use of these panels to help further reduce our power consumption.  The on-paper payback seems to be under seven years.

Our swimming pool is also a little bit green: the supporting structure utilises plastic which has been recycled and then processed to enable it to hold the concrete in place.  The pool liner is also manufactured from plastic.  The pump is controlled by a timer to reduce electrical operating costs.

Over the years we have been nurturing the seeds from the palm trees and have now transplanted over 300 palms from pots to ground.  Many of these palms are now over 4 ½ meters tall and will be sold or replanted back at the villas.