sustainability
At Amerissit we are running an eco-friendly business and reducing the impact of our business on the environment as much as we can. We believe in protecting the beautiful environment of New Zealand. We would like to ensure that your children and grandchildren could visit and enjoy it too. To this end, we've developed environmental policies which we have put in place and would welcome your support.

Amerissit was built in 1990. Even though sustainability was not a term used to any great extent when building, your hostess used sustainable products and built in a sustainable way. Every effort was made to use high quality materials which would last the test of time. The exterior consists of wooden cedar weather boards which require no painting oils or stains. The colour steel roof requires no additional painting over the years and the windows are wooden and sustainable. The interior has been fully insulated in all walls, ceilings and under floor. It has thermal lined curtains, rubber underlay, pure New Zealand wool carpets and natural solid wood floors.

We have continued to carry out environmental ideas that we wish to achieve, making Amerissit a warm friendly place to welcome guests.
We have ensured that our guests are not compromised in any way on the high standard we aim to produce.

We invite you to partake in our environmental policies that we have put in place and any suggestions would be warmly welcomed.

Energy
Amerissit is reducing our demand on energy by:

• We offer a towel and linen change agreement - we offer our guests the option of reusing and replacing on request
• We buy local produce where possible to reduce transport emissions
• We use energy-efficient appliances e.g. microwaves, dishwasher and small efficient fridges
• We use low energy light bulbs - these are being installed as the less efficient light bulbs blow
• Motion sensor outside light at front door
• Our energy provider buys from renewable resources like hydro
• We offer guests a bicycle for local touring and walking and cycling guides to local attractions
• We hibernate our rooms when not in use
• We have an open fire for the comfort of our guests in the winter and we use wood a renewable resource - we light the fire with old newspapers and use used egg cartons and old cardboard as kindling

• Giving you an opportunity to recycle your rubbish
• Reducing the amount of waste going into landfill by separating it for recycling
• We compost our vegetable and fruit waste
• Reducing packaging to a minimum by not using single-packaged portions, using dispensers of high-quality and environmentally friendly toiletries, buying quality products in bulk, replacing, disposable items with reusable ones
• Buying only one daily paper for guest use
• Not printing unnecessary emails and reusing non printed side of paper
• Buying from producers who offer environmentally-friendly packaging and options of returnable containers where possible
• We reduce waste by not purchasing products with excessive packaging and not accepting plastic bags from retailers
• Getting groceries in cloth carry bags that are reusable

• Using a water efficient dishwasher
• Installing new dual-flush toilets
• Reducing shower times
• Our showers have reduced water valves thus saving water
• We have full loads of washing before washing laundry thus reducing water use
• Regulate garden watering by using a sensible planting practice e.g. planting natives

• Using only biodegradable or non-toxic cleaning products
• Noise insulation between Newmarket room and Mt Hobson room
• Regularly tuning our vehicles to help reduce emissions
• Using only natural / low or non-allergenic toiletry products
• Sourcing our products from local sources
• Using natural air freshening products instead of chemical ones e.g. fresh flowers, herbs etc
• Sending batteries and florescent bulbs and all other bulbs for recycling / safe disposal
• Not running the vehicles while waiting for guests
• Working on emission-reduction techniques - including energy-efficiency practices such as reducing vehicle use, maintaining vehicles regularly and buying locally
• Organic gardening

• Planting trees and shrubs, which are native to this area in order to encourage bird life and reduce the need for irrigation. We have Tui's, Kingfishers, Wax-eyes and Fantails, which are all native to New Zealand, which feed in the surrounding gardens
• I ensure our furniture is made from natural and renewable sources e.g. leather, timber,
• Personal clothing is made from natural renewable sources e.g. natural fibres; cotton, linen, wool, silk and leather
• Floor coverings renewable sources e.g. wool carpet, wooden floors
• Supporting regeneration of Native New Zealand forests / wildlife conservation by planting native trees at Motuihe Island in the Hauraki Gulf
• Encouraging visitors who are interested in New Zealand's conservation and would like to help by giving them options for tree planting conservation in Auckland
• Purchasing locally, which helps to reduce carbon emissions from transport
• Using more public transport and walking more to reduce carbon emissions
• Offering guests the opportunity to contribute / learn about our local environment by showing them Auckland's conservancy volunteer programme run by the Department of Conservation
• Making available a local map of the area with walking tracks and cycle tract in and around Remuera / Newmarket 'Be Active in Newmarket'
• Ensuring that all Amerissit's printed material are sustainability sourced

• I maintain city council land at the cul-de-sac on Buttle Street for the enjoyment of the other residents on the street and the community
• Donating supplementary products to schools such as used magazines
• Ensuring that I participate in the conservation, planting programme at Motuihe at least once a year
• Buying locally produced quality art by local artists
• Buying locally produced quality products such as the beds and side tables in the rooms, coffee table in the family room, and all side tables in the house are all made in Auckland
• Co-operating and interacting with the local community by participating in the Newmarket Buzz - a local business network which fosters local businesses
• Training partner to commit to Amerissit's environmental practices

• We offer an in house Taxi service. Host is a qualified Taxi driver. This means economical use of fuel as we are working from point of pick up.
• Other alternatives from the airport include the Super Shuttle bus and Green Cabs which operate hybrid cars.
• International visitors can reduce their carbon footprint by using public transport. Amerissit is situated close to the central city with easy access to buses and trains.
• We offer you the change to reduce your carbon footprint by helping to reforest Motuihe Island. This experience is a great day out. Visitors and locals work in the nursery or plant trees for half a day. They are given lunch and then the rest of the day they can explore the Island. www.motuihe.org.nz
• Kiwi Green offers you a change to offset your carbon footprint by planting trees for you on covenanted land. www.kiwigreen.com

• Eco Store products - all environmentally friendly products
• Kiwi Green Products - we are endorsed as Kiwi Green Certified using only eco-friendly products for cleaning
• Earth Care bathroom tissue - this paper used is recycled unused office waste paper, oxygen rather than chlorine is used to bleach the paper and the water used is recycled and reused, and it is fully bio-degradable
• Organic teas and coffee
• Local fruits and vegetables
• Local manufacturers for bread, cereal, butter, and fruit juice etc
• When purchasing furniture we use local manufacturers where possible
• Purchase items with reduced packaging and refuse the use of plastic bags as much as possible
• Using cloth bags to carry goods e.g. from the supermarket
• Use antique shops for replacement of crockery, crystal and silver