We use 100 % organic products and cleaning products with eco labels. We employ mainly local people and we also try to act locally in terms of buying, craftsmen and services. We actively support the Eberstein Volksliedhaus (folk songhouse) in order to keep the traditional singing alive.
The Carinthian cow breed is an endangered species. We‘re acting within the framework of local associations and do for example the marketing for the annual support event.
Using wood for heating purposes is an active contribution to sustainable development, because it’s a renewable resource. The timber growth rate in Austria is higher than the timber harvest rate, the forests are growing. We don’t own any woodlot but our region is densely wooded.
We always try to revitalize pedestrian greenways, we participate in the renovation of old castles and a rest area for hikers on the theme of water with a Kneipp pool. We’re very involved in actions aiming to foster the economic development of the region. Ilmar Tessmann is the chairman of the Regional platform for tourism "Central Carinthia" and is part of the managing committee of the association for Regional Development "Noric Region", which is a Leader+ initiative financed by EU structural funds.
- The hotel is constructed from bricks and mortar and lots and lots of wood and more recently from loam.
- Naturally-treated solid wood rooms are furnished lovingly and are formaldehyde-free.
- Windows, doors and walls are painted with Auro natural colours.
- Wooden floors and linoleum floors are covered with woollen rugs.
- Natural textiles and health beds.
- Sleeping areas are radiaesthetically arranged.
- Water is warmed by solar power.
- As a matter of principal, all products used are obtained from organic sources.
- Furnishings and ecological surroundings controlled by obligatory membership of the Austrian environmental label. (Inspection every 3 years) Our water pressure is limited to 2 bar of natural pressure. All toilets are equipped with water saving devices. We’re proud to have our own water sources, we don’t depend on the public water supply. We use the water overflow sometimes for irrigation purposes. Until now there is no need to use rainwater.
According to the provisions of the European Eco-Label, 80% of continuous lights are equipped with energy-saving lamps. Our guests are explicitly asked to save electricity and energy. Our Carinthia eco hotel in Austria was built in the 1980s and the brick walls are isolated with Heratekta, a multilayer panel made of expanded polystyrene and a wood-wool layer. The roof has been isolated with 20 cm of Isoflock or Isocell (made of recycled paper) and wood wool slabs which are plastered with loam.
Energy management: We use of thermo-electric heating (1 wood-burning stove and 2 tiled stoves with efficiency of 90%. We also use solar heating, have insulated hot-water pipes and use no domestic fuel. The temperature outside is automatically ruled to the temperature inside. We have solar system for hot water.
Sewage management: We have our own hotel-owned biological sewage-plant so avoid any chemicals (formaldehyde-free) in the 3 rooms septic tank.
Waste recycling and disposal: Our motto is avoidance instead of disposal. We use primarily recycled products and do not buy non-returnable-bottles and canned drinks. Washing powder and cleaning systems we buy in bulk.

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