Environmental issues are an emerging issue in Armenia and are not common focus for all. However Envoy strives to be environmentally friendly and consicously makes decisions to reduce our environmental footprint where possible and to help preserve our precious natural resources. Armenia is faced with many dilemas including aging water and electricity infrastructure, scarcity of natural resources as well as the need for education and re-training of how best to use available resources.

We might be small at Envoy but we would like to help lead the way for a better environment, a better Armenia and a better world for all.

Some of the initiatives we have undertaken include:

Overview

• Heating

  • Switching our central heating from diesel to natural gas
  • Heating rooms as required when numbers are low to manage energy use

• Lighting

  • Personal lights at each bed fitted with energy saving lamps
  • Rewired switching to allow better control of lights in common areas

• Water Use

  • Flow restrictors fitted on every tap and shower head
  • Toilets have water control flushing system allowing user to limit water use

• Awareness Campaign

  • Be Green with Envoy signage has been placed around strategic positions of the hostel to raise awareness and remind guests, visitors and staff alike to conserve our precious resources
  • Earth Hour - Envoy participated (2010 and 2011) and encouraged friends of Envoy to join this initiative

• Paper Recycling

  Paper recycling is still not wide spread in Armenia. There is only one company currently involved in paper recycling. Although we do not produce great amounts of paper at Envoy, we are collecting and depositing the paper on a quarterly basis. At present we get paid a small reward for this activity which we are setting aside till it amounts to a larger sum. We then intend to buy suitable toys and donate to an orphanage.

• Other

  • Even some of our artwork around the hostel has been made using recycled material, things found in the streets of Yerevan or from things that would otherwise be disgarded. We like to think a bit outside the box and Reduce, Reuse and Recycle where ever possible and practical.

• More to Come

  We are not done yet! Although we have implemented quite a few projects to date we still have plans for more. For example:

  • We are looking into installation of sensor lights in the rooms to reduce the need to switch on all the lights if entering the room for a short period.

Category list

• Overview

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Step by step we can all make a difference