What makes us ECOLOGICAL


Septimo Paraiso started its operation on March 2001. We are approaching our 8th year of proud ecological and environmental safe tourism. We stress the fact that ecotourism can be done first class, offering our clients the best services and infrastructure without losing our sense for conservation.

Land and buildings
Since the time when I was a child I remember Mindo as an untouched, wonderful place. The only road to get there was the Nono – Mindo, it was a three hour drive, bad and unpaved. It all added to the mystique of the place. Time went by and “development” was something unstoppable. In 1994 a new paved road was built and with it came more people and houses. The large farms were cut down into smaller manageable areas and sold out to the highest bidder. By this time I was an adult and anxious to complete my dream of preserving the Mindo I new for my children. Luckily my husband Pablo and I share the same ideas and he made it all much easier since his profession is Biologist (PhD).

The 30% of the land was old pastures which my parents used for cattle several years ago. Pablo’s main goal was to eradicate them and reforest, presently there are less that 4 hectares to be done.

We started construction in 1998 with not much money but with one thing in mind, to construct a country lodge that will allow us to live in complete harmony with the forest, with all the comforts and service of the city and to give us enough income to live well, educate our children, and conserve the land for the future. We just finished all the buildings, pool and Jacuzzi in 2004. All left over materials were saved for further use; we produced from surplus wood plant pot, children chairs, shelves, wooden boxes and cases. From paint cans we produced bases for pool umbrellas. Plastic containers were filled up with sand and cement to be used instead of rock in construction and also for hummingbird feeders. We still have the storage rooms half full of construction materials and we still find ways to reuse most of the things.

Waste production and recycle
We try to reduce our environmental impact by following simple steps. Septimo Paraiso has a waste management system that emphasizes reuse, composting and recycling, and proper disposal of any residual material.

 Buying biodegradable products , we are currently getting product certification from all our providers to create a ‘catalogue of environmental safe products', which are used in Septimo Paraiso. This catalogue will be distributed by the Green Mindo Foundation to all other lodges and business of the valley. Sharing information is the first step to conservation.
Composting bins , all organic waste is stored in a set of composting bins designed for subtropical weather. The compost is sold in our Gift shop or used for garden plants.
Paper reuse, newspaper is always good to clean windows and paper from the office is reused at the restaurant and bar to take orders. All reused paper and product paper wrapping sent to the water, sand and lime recycling system WARE. WARE works by sieving through rock, sand and call all types of paper producing paper compost. It can be mixed with other types of compost for better use.
Cardboard and plastic containers that cannot be reused are stored and sent to recycling plants in Quito .
Plastic bottles left by our guest are filled with sand to be used in construction.
Glass bottles are usually reused in the kitchen and in the laundry room, or cut into glasses.
Batteries, we have taken up rechargeable batteries and flashlights. Batteries are left by our clients; we have NOT found a way to recycle them. They are kept in storage until we have enough to make a concrete box to bury.
Razors are kept in a special plastic box in the reception office; we have not managed to find a use for them and cannot recycle. So they will have the same fate as batteries.
Human waste the lodge has two breaking tanks and two septic tanks. Toilet paper and human waste is broken with the aid of gravity and rocks continuing to the septic tanks and finally slowly filtering through sand. During early construction two Compost toilets we built but did not give good results. The weather and the humidity produce a terribly bad smell. However the tank system developed works very well. We keep on thinking ways to continue recycling and at present we are sketching a turbine system powered by gases produced by human waste.
Furniture: all furniture is either antique, made from recycled container pine wood, inherited from friends and family or second hand. We have a work shop with qualified personnel to repair and upholster most of the stuff.
Clothes and linen clothes left by clients, old uniforms and linen from kitchens and restaurants are reused as cleaning clothes, The garments that are still in good use are saved and given out during Christmas to those in need.
Robber boots , we have a good number to lend to clients. Some clients leave us some and we add them to our own. Old and broken boots are cut to make table and chair leg pads.
At Septimo Paraiso waist is not a problem, we recycle 95% of the waste produced. The 5% is stored until we find a way to deal with it properly.

Community and education
Septimo Paraiso has created the Green Mindo Foundation; it formally started work during May 2006. Its aim is to protect Cloud Forest, promote and fund research projects, help the community by teaching conservation and recycling methods and promote awareness on the importance of the Mindo Valley and the Cloud Forest for the world.

Septimo Paraiso still has a lot to do, we are just starting but we hope to preserve this magnificent place for future generations. Every little helps and a good place to start is at home!.