Going Green

Our Approach to Sustainability

There is so much written and talked about these days regarding sustainability, green, environment etc. For us at Ocean Village, it simply comes down to “joining the dots.” We strive to make the connection between the everyday decisions we make in running our resort to the impact those choices will have down the line.

Tofino’s location in Clayoquot Sound is one of the most spectacular natural places on earth, with ancient cedar rainforest bordering on miles of sandy beaches, volcanic rock outcrops, and shimmering surf. The natural beauty resonates deeply with visitors and residents alike.

In a setting as breath-taking as Tofino it is sometimes easier to “join the dots.” For example, we know that the choice we make on what kind of soap we use will impact the health of the stream that runs through our property and on the ocean that rolls onto the spectacular beach we look at everyday. We know that the amount of fossil fuels we use will have a long-term climate change impact on that very same ocean. Similarly, the kind and source of wood that we use may determine what the hillsides around us look like.

So at Ocean Village we are committed to making choices and decisions which will result in us treading most lightly on the spectacular environment which is our back (and front) yard! We also recognize that our business depends on the health of the environment, and we’re committed to doing our part to protect and preserve this special place.

What’s New (and Green) at Ocean Village?


Since the new ownership group took over Ocean Village on April 1, 2010, we have implemented a number of changes:

  • We replaced our guest room toiletries and dish soap with the Sea Wench Naturals line. These products are organic, all natural and are produced with local ingredients cultivated on an island just off the coast of Tofino! Use of this product in dispensers will also eliminate the use of approximately 15,000 pieces of packaging per year.
  • Introduced a new line of sustainable coffee by Oughtred Coffee (certified by the Rainforest Alliance).
  • Installed specialized vacuum assist showerheads and faucet aerators that use 40% less energy and water
  • Installed new Smart Glass windows in our pool
  • Re-calibrated our laundry system to deliver significant energy savings
  • Used fast growing birch plywood for our swimming pool change room renovations
  • Installed carpets with CRI Green Label Plus certification (for low off-gassing of chemicals) for our recent staff accommodation renovations

What Do We Have Planned?

We are currently undertaking an extensive review of all of our operations, including a detailed energy audit, in order to assess:

  • Where and how we are using energy, water and material resources
  • How can we reduce our waste
  • How can we improve the health of our internal environment

Once our audit is complete, we will be rolling out further improvements. Stay tuned! Also, feel free to give us your ideas. Here are a couple of our immediate plans:

  • Installation of new high efficiency exterior lights with photocells that automatically turn lights off when not needed
  • Renovating the pool heat recovery ventilation system to provide a more comfortable environment and reduce energy use

    • It’s Not Just About Green!

    Sustainability is sometimes described as a “three-legged stool” made up of not just environmental but also economic, and social sustainability. At Ocean Village we are committed to operating the resort in a considered and thoughtful way that balances these three elements.

    Social sustainability takes many forms. For us, it is primarily about two things: connecting with and benefitting our local community, and taking care of our employees. To that end, here’s what we’re doing:

    • Making new purchases from local suppliers (e.g. Sea Wench Naturals)
    • Hiring local contractors for our renovations
    • Opening our indoor pool to local residents for kids’ swimming lessons, other classes and public swim times, starting in September
    • Donating time and money to local community events and charities. Ocean Village is looking forward to continuing to support the clean up of our beaches and playing any part we can to bring awareness and education to the Clayoquot region through great organizations like Surfrider and the Raincoast Education Society.
    • Renovating our on-site staff accommodations to provide additional single rooms

    Economic sustainability, for us, is about running our business in a financially efficient and cost-effective way so that we can continue to offer the best value on the beach in Tofino. In so doing, we can ensure the long term financial sustainability of our business and be able to continue our improvements at the resort and contributions to our community.