Green Practices
bright green plant growing
bib lettuce growing

Business Responsibility

Little St. Simons Island strives to be a model for sustainable conservation tourism that supports the stewardship of natural areas and biodiversity. Our Lodge upholds sustainable operations, which in turn supports the ecological integrity of the Island we depend on.

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OUR SUSTAINABILITY PHILOSOPHY

Our Lodge takes a holistic approach to sustainability; each member of our team, from dishwashers to the general manager, partakes in training to become versed in the Island’s ecological easement and stewardship practices. Employees contribute to sustainability initiatives on the island, like disposing of food waste for composting, recycling, and minimizing energy usage. Our staff believes we all play a role in protecting our planet.

person washing their hands with water

SOURCING

At Little St. Simons Island, we prioritize the use of recycled and responsibly sourced products to provide sustainable stays and unparalleled experiences in the natural world. We use:

  • Natural bath soaps purchased in bulk
  • Paper products that have a high percentage of recycled matter
  • Microfiber cleaning towels, reducing the need for chemicals
  • Biodegradable, earth-friendly cleaning products
  • Low VOC or no VOC paints
  • Thermally modified wood in walkways and decks
  • Email instead of physical mail to minimize paper consumption
  • Salination instead of chlorine to maintain the swimming pool cleaning system
msn picking veggies from garden

FARM FRESH PRODUCE

We take pride in serving a bounty of ingredients harvested on the coast. Our culinary team works with local farms to incorporate rotating seasonal produce and products from across the coastal plain into Island meals.

Our Farm Partners:

  • Greenway Gardens: Lettuces
  • Billy's Botanicals: Hydroponic Lettuce, Onions, Fava Beans
  • Adams Farms: Broccoli, Scallions, Sweet White Onions, Spinach, Tomatoes
  • Southern Brothers: Mushrooms
  • Altamaha Apiary: Honey
  • Carolina Plantation: Aromatic Rice
  • Anson Mills: Grits, Polenta, Corn Meal, Farro, Red Peas, Gold Rice
  • Novena Farms: Eggs, Lettuces
  • Hickox Farms: Pork Products
lssi greenpractices foodsourcing

GARDEN TO TABLE

Our Island garden is home to seasonally changing heritage crops utilized by our expert chefs.

Learn More About Our Garden
garden

Business Footprint

Everything we consume has an impact on our planet. By using only what we need and reusing products, we can minimize our “outs” and limit our Lodge’s footprint. Here’s how we recycle at Little St. Simons Island:

  • Reuse printed paper for notepads or as a carbon source in our on-site garden
  • Recycle batteries, tires, oil, plastic, aluminum, and glass
  • Repurpose wood and building materials for constructing and repairing buildings and furniture
  • Provide guests with reusable water bottles
  • Recycle old linens and towels
  • Compost vegetable scraps and paper to grow soil for our garden
man looking through binoculars

Equipment

We believe in the importance of repairing and repurposing, rather than buying new. Our Maintenance Team keeps Island facilities running smoothly; they fix trucks, buildings, and equipment, and prioritize reusing and recycling materials. They also ensure all of our buildings use energy-efficient lighting and water saving appliances. Our Naturalists see that all outdoor gear is operating at its best. They perform regular upkeep on recreational equipment, rather than shipping it out or throwing it away. 

Here’s how we maximize the efficiency of our facilities and minimize consumption at Little St. Simons Island:

green out door couch on deck

ENERGY USAGE

We use:

  • Icynene spray insulation in buildings
  • Skylights for interior lighting in many buildings.
  • On-demand tankless water heaters in many buildings
  • Geothermal climate control in many buildings
  • Pool filters only during daytime hours
  • Solar-powered electric fence in the garden
  • Energy Star-rated washing machines
  • Long-lasting LED light bulbs in light fixtures
lssi lodging greenpractices waterusage

WATER USAGE

We use:

  • Rain barrels at the beach gazebo for rinsing station
  • Rain barrels at Main Lodge to collect water for watering plants
  • Native plants in landscaping that need minimal watering
  • Unpaved walkways to decrease runoff
  • Low-volume toilets
  • Water-saving front-loading washers in the laundry
  • Low-flow showerheads in all showers

Incorporate sustainable practices after your departure:

landscape with a river and trees

Sustainability at Home

Here at Little St. Simons Island, we believe that collaboration is a crucial element in the effort to protect the natural world. We invite all our guests to be a part of this effort by implementing these simple sustainable practices at home:

  • Replace any old bulbs with long-lasting compact fluorescents.
  • Purchase ENERGY STAR appliances when replacing old ones.
  • Conserve electricity by turning off lights, air conditioning, and heating when not in use.
  • Landscape with drought-resistant native plants that require less watering.
  • Use a BPA-free water bottle instead of buying bottled water. Avoid using disposable items, especially single-use plastics.
  • Eat and buy locally whenever possible.
  • Recycle glass, paper, plastic, aluminum products, and batteries.
  • Use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. Click here for recommendations.
  • Cut back on gas-powered transportation. Walk, ride a bike, or carpool whenever possible.