Sustainability
At La Rocher, sustainability takes center stage as we prioritize eco-friendly practices, to minimize our environmental impact in our commitment to preserve the natural beauty of our surroundings and contribute positively to the planet.
Renewable Energy
Investment and Infrastructure:
2023 Investment: A significant commitment of $30,000 has been made, resulting in the acquisition of 10kWh solar panels and 16.5kWh batteries.
Nov 2023 Update: An additional investment of $6,000 and 5.5kWh has been made, bringing the total solar infrastructure to an impressive 22kWh.
Total Solar Infrastructure: Currently, our solar infrastructure comprises 25kWh solar panels and 22kWh batteries.
Key Statistics and Achievements:
- Renewable Energy Production: The integration of new solar panels enables us to generate 90% of our energy from renewable sources, marking a significant stride towards our ambition of achieving 100% solar power.
- Energy Savings: The implementation of new solar panels and batteries is projected to curtail our energy expenses by 80%, resulting in an estimated annual savings of $3,120. These savings empower us to reinvest in additional eco-friendly initiatives.
- Carbon Emissions Reduction: The adoption of our latest solar technology is anticipated to lead to a reduction of 18.8* tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), translating to various environmental benefits:
- Equivalent to 70,240km driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle
- Equals a savings of 7,253 litres of gasoline consumption
- Averts the burning of 8,650 kilograms of coal
- Prevents 5.9 tons of waste from reaching landfills
- Represents the annual planting of 282 trees
- Offsets carbon emissions by sequestering the equivalent of 20.3 acres of forests in one year.
Overall Impact:
- Renewable Energy Production Milestone: Our newly integrated solar panels catapult our renewable energy production to 90%, a significant leap towards achieving our ultimate objective of complete solar reliance. ☀️🔋
Energy Efficiency
- Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems
- Energy-efficient lighting
- Windows are low emissivity and double-glazed
- Triple layers of insulation in Villas
- Roof and floors’ high insulation values
- Villas designed with significant cross-ventilation
Environmental Education
- Birding book and binoculars in Villas
Sustainable Sourcing
- Locally sourced food and beverages
- Vegetarian and vegan meals on request
- Eco-friendly toiletries and cleaning products
- Support local industries, trades, farmers, and producers
Water Conservation
- Water-efficient taps, toilets and showers
- All water used from rainwater harvested from property
Nature
- Forest regeneration and management
- Eradicate invasive species and weeds
- Fire management
- Koala corridor program
- Biodiversity agreement
Recycling & Waste Management
- Composts all food waste on-site and uses as fertilizer
- Soap and toiletry donation program
- Safely disposes of electronics, batteries and light bulbs
- Refillable toiletry containers
- Glass and ceramic containers used for breakfast hamper
- Single-use utensils, plates, and cups not used
- Septic tank system
Sustainable Firewood Sourcing
- Use of blowdown, deadfall, and cleared trees used as firewood in villas for sustainable heat, preserving forest health.
Local Trades and Services Engagement
- Active collaboration with local tradespeople and services, supporting the local economy.