2019

LVM Recreation and Tourism Centre "Ezernieki" Receives Recognition for Its Environmentally Friendly Management

Thanks to its responsible and environmentally friendly management and tourism offer, LVM Recreation and Tourism Centre “Ezernieki” has received recognition of the Green Certificate Review Committee, and has been presented as a positive example in the forthcoming Green Certificate Guide for tourism entrepreneurs.

To extend the validity of its Green Certificate, LVM Recreation and Tourism Centre “Ezernieki” was visited by the Green Certificate Review Committee organized by the association “Lauku ceļotājs”, who evaluated the activities of the Recreation and Tourism Centre, following up with the latest developments in environmentally friendly farming.

“We have earned recognition for the use of environmentally friendly disposable tableware. Thanks to the green thinking of our company, disposable tableware made of paper and bamboo has long been available at the “Ezernieki” Tourism and Recreation Centre. At seminars, as well as at major recreational activities, we offer our customers dishes made of environmentally friendly materials: glasses, cups, plates, soup plates, drink sticks, as well as knives, forks and even spoons. Disposing of these dishes is not a problem, they also look more and more attractive, and you can print your company’s advertisement or other useful information addressed to customers. It is true that people tend to use these dishes in greater numbers than they would actually need, for example, taking a new cup every coffee break. Therefore, at our seminars we encourage participants to mark their cups to be used for the rest of their coffee breaks,” tells Dzintra Stradiņa, House Manager of the LVM Tourism and Recreation Centre.

Disposable tableware, plates, drink sticks, mixing sticks will be banned in the European Union starting from 2021; but since 1 July 2019, one can no longer qualify for exemption from the environmental tax on disposable tableware and accessories made of plastic and composite materials.

LVM Recreation and Tourism Centre “Ezernieki” was also praised for its upgraded heat supply, giving up fossil fuel. Since the establishment of the recreation centre in 2003, wood has been used for heating the buildings. Technologies are also evolving to reduce the use of renewable resources and cut down CO2 emissions.

“Last year, during the heating season, we replaced the old boiler, which had been used for almost 15 years. After the first season, we are satisfied. The positive thing is that the boiler operates depending on the outside temperature - the temperature is adjusted automatically as needed. Secondly, compared to the old generation boilers, the new ones have a high combustion efficiency of 92%, and in practice, we think that it is even 94%. However, apart from the boiler replacement, it is important to put in order all the other heating infrastructure as well - after insulating the pipes, the heat loss has noticeably decerased,” the guest house manager shares her experience.

The Green Certificate is an eco-label for agro-tourism facilities that respect the principles of “green” farming, saving resources, making a tourism offer that is environmentally and community friendly. The agro-tourism facilities, which have been awarded the “Green Certificate”, are both an environment friendly and cosy place for tourists. Recreation and Tourism Centre “Ezernieki” can be proud of this eco-label already since 2011.

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An insight into “Ezernieki” centre

Recreation and Tourism Centre “Ezernieki” offers a well-lit place for setting up a tent, football, basketball and volleyball courts, as well as swimming sites. Active recreation enthusiasts can hold sports games and engage in other activities in the open air at any season of the year. It is a great place to watch and indulge in an autumn colour adventure in the forests of Lubāna Municipality, but in colder winter evenings - to warm up in a sauna.