Few spas make their own products on site, though there are good (sustainable) economic arguments for it. In a growth-based world, a trend-watching and formulaic model for spa has served the linked hospitality and manufacturing industries.
Even where unique quality is offered, it may come at a price. The eco-luxury chic of destination spa-hotels often derives from a longing for the charm of the past, for a distant garden of Eden. This can create dubious contrasts in regions and societies that are struggling in the face of poverty and resource depletion.
Some high-end spas (like Six Senses and Banyan) do seem to take their responsibility to the local community seriously. Despite being open to criticism for widening the wealth gap, the resources they have to innovate with may lead the way for smaller operations over the long haul.
Hydroponics (from the Greek words hydro water and ponos labor) is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, without soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel, or mineral wool. Hydroponics also enables growing on otherwise poor ground.
In 'Remote spas that combine nature and nurture', Madhu Puri provided an inspirational account of how 10 spas worldwide are developing uniquely local approaches to sustainability. Here are some extracted examples of how this influenced their spa treatments. They sound enticing but most need more explanation.
Since I have not visited these spas myself, I looked at the websites to see what they revealed about their green credentials. Most were inadequately described. I used the 'Six Sins of Greenwashing' identified by TerraChoice (environmental marketing survey US, 2007, including body products) to assess what I read.
The six sins are: 1. hidden trade-off, 2. no proof, 3. vagueness, 4. irrelevance, 5. lesser of two evils, 6. fibbing. I thoroughly recommend TerraChoice's pdf brochure on this topic as a tool for closer examination of such claims, whether you are a marketer or a consumer. Some are easy traps to fall into unintentionally.
TerraChoice emphasize that the survey summary is not intended to discourage green marketing, or to indict particular marketers, or to scare consumers away from green claims. Instead, they aim to assist marketers and consumers to build a more honest and effective dialog about the environmental impact of products.
Since it is not my intention or purpose to judge any particular venue either, the information provided below is simply designed to encourage you to do your own evaluation or questioning. Notice the words that sound good and then ask yourself if they really convey solid facts about sustainable practices. See post 5. in this series for more on evaluating claims.
Certainly, you can see how each place succeeds in matching it's offerings to the setting quite well. Perhaps this is just a good bit of marketing romance. But it's also something that has inherent potential for supporting local businesses, a valuable aspect of sustainability, if done with environmental and social principles in mind. (Click on the article/website titles to see the sources.)
From the article:
UNU Spa at Inkaterra in Peru is set in 12 forested acres which provide
all the botanicals used for spa treatments that draw on Andean
ingredients and ideas. For example, you can sooth your feet after a
long hike to Machu Picchu with a treatment of natural mint and mountain
lemon.
Found on the website: 'All products are 100% natural, derived from local botanical extracts'.
From the article: Chill Spa at Hotel Terra, Wyoming, uses the medicinal and organic mountain herb arnica in it's massage oil and scrub for fatigued muscles.
Found on the spa website:
'Every element, from the inspiring views from the outdoor hot tub to
the organic, restorative treatments, reminds us that renewing our
spirit and bodies begins with connecting to our natural world.' (the
spa is on the sixth floor) ...'The state of the art spa treatments feature Eminence Organic Skin Care,
incorporating handpicked fresh ingredients, hand mixed with pure waters
from a thermal hot spring lake containing rare minerals and elements.'
From the article: The spa at Amanbagh in Rajasthan, India, offers ayurvedic and reiki treatments. Its therapists live on the grounds which they also maintain, growing vegetables and flowers.
The spa website appeared to provide no green information about products.
From the article: The spa at the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, California, uses organic ingredients in it's products some of which are solar-infused with the fragrance of local flowers and also contain medicinal herbs, minerals and natural fruit acids found on site. A resident beekeeper looks after 18 hives and the honey is used in facials.
From the website: 'Organic Garden Facial: An
array of hand-made organic products with fruits, vegetables, and herbs
are blended for your skin type. This refreshing facial addresses skin
care concerns, such as aging, sun damage, or blemishes. Active
ingredients including natural fruit acids, medicinal herbs, vitamins,
minerals, local honey and Big Sur flower essences aid your skin to
revitalize and sustain radiance.'
From the article:
Tabacon Grand Thermal Spa Resort in Costa Rica includes locally grown
coffee, sugar, coconut and chocolate in some treatments, though it's
main focus is on the naturally warm and mineral rich volcanic mud that
comes with the warm springs on site.
The spa website appeared to provide no green information about products.
From the article: At the Banyan Tree spa in the Maldives one offering in keeping with the setting is a turmeric scrub followed by a cool yoghurt splash.
From the website:
Banyan's main site has a lot of information on sustainability issues
but the spa pages hardly reference it, except to say that 'It
emphasises on a ‘high-touch, low-tech’ approach that celebrates the
human touch and the use of natural herbs and spices.'
By
an IMPRESSIVE margin in this listing the best website for relating the
spa and the products used to the sustainability program of the whole
property was the Yaxkin Spa at the Hacienda Chichen Resort in the Yucatan, Mexico.
From the article: At Yaxkin Spa at the Hacienda Chichen Resort in the Yucatan, Mexico, native wild Melipona honey, cacao, avocado and aloe vera are used in treatments believed to invigorate body and spirit.
From the website:
A highly informative overview of the sustainable tourism in action is
provided here. Here are some extracts about the spa. The spa's own webpage is a veritable feast.
'In 2003, our senior staff and local farmer, Filomeno Mex Tun retired from the hospitality service and started Hacienda Chichen's own organic farm. This farm produces most of the hotel's fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and currently the medicinal plants used at Yaxkin Spa.'
Finally,
Nicolay Kreider, whose teleseminar inspired this series of posts,
provides a really good example of freshly home-made spa products
created by one of his students Vanessa Jensen for her spa treatments at
Tierra de Milagros retreat center in the southwest corner of Costa Rica. Read his description here.
The
complicated issues facing body care manufacturers who seek organic
certification and so on, can potentially be completely side-skipped by
making your own in support of sustainable and organic suppliers or your
own garden. All you need is an imagination and a determination to
think local.
This post is part of a series of six related posts about spa products and the powerful potential they have for enabling sustainable spa culture:
- Spa treatment menus: authenticity and audacity
- Eco-spa-chefs: cooking up a better future for organic spa products
- Savvy and creative spas grow their own spa products
- The value of growing and making your own spa products
- Natural, organic? Spa products under scrutiny
- How to make your own 'soulful and sustainable' spa products on site
