We’ve received exciting news from Casa Vieja Lodge that they are taking steps to completely eliminate their use of plastic bottles. Every year oceans are burdened with tons of plastics and every step to eliminate that waste is a step in the right direction.
Casa Vieja Lodge is entering its third phase of the Kick Plastic Campaign pioneered by Costa del Mar. This fall, Casa Vieja Lodge will become a plastic-free campus by eliminating all single-use plastic bottles both at the lodge and aboard their 10-boat fleet.
All anglers will receive a YETI 36oz Rambler Bottle upon arrival at Casa Vieja Lodge, their lifeline to water consumption. Two Elkay Water Fountain and Bottle Filling Stations were installed at the lodge, where clients can refill their YETI Ramblers during their stay. This water goes through a 4- stage filtration system, including a UV purification process and the solution to pure, clean drinking water at Casa Vieja Lodge.
“The largest consumption of single-use plastic water bottles is on our fleet. We average about
6 bottles a day/person. That equates to 60,000 a season just on the boats, add the consumption at the lodge and we are at 80,000 plastic bottles. That’s just wrong for the environment we rely so heavily on.” said Captain David Salazar.
Aboard the boats, clients can refill their same Ramblers from the YETI Silo, a 6-gallon water cooler that keeps water cold for hours. Tried and true, anglers are able to keep their Rambler in direct Guatemalan sunlight while they are fighting billfish and return to their same ice-cold beverage.
Last season bamboo straws replaced the normal plastic straws in all beverages, which have proven deadly to many marine animal life. “Our fishery here in Guatemala is so amazing and so unique in itself that it’s our responsibility here at Casa Vieja Lodge to kick plastic even where the odds are completely against us. We really don’t see why you can’t do this in your own backyard,” said Kristen Salazar.
To get more information and inspiration on how you can make a difference visit the Casa Vieja Lodge Team at the 2018 ICAST Show in Orlando, FL July 11-13th at Booth #1611.
About Casa Vieja Lodge
Originally built over 25 years ago as a private retreat to one of Guatemala’s most prominent sporting families, Casa Vieja Lodge was transformed into the current 19-bedroom hotel and hosts more than 850 anglers annually. Located about a 90-minute drive from Guatemala City in the town of Puerto San Jose, with captains and staff of the original Fins ‘n Feathers, Casa Vieja Lodge has been owned by Captain David and Kristen Salazar since 2013.