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You don't say where you are Colleen, but you might be interested in the work Grand Teton Lodge Company has been doing in this arena. Julie Klein is environmental director who's been behind this - she's at klein@no.address, and is a real dynamo. See recent press release below. Anne Peters Gracestone, Inc. Boulder, CO 303.494.4934 vox 303.494.4880 fax Grand Teton Concessioner Has Its Guests Seeing Green Source GreenBiz.com <http://www.greenbiz.com/> URL: http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=30542 GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyo., March 7, 2006 - Grand Teton Lodge Company is one of the first lodging companies in the U.S. to achieve International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 certification for its environmental management program. The company's award-winning Envision <http://www.gtlc.com/envision> program takes a comprehensive, systematic approach to sustainable business practices that preserve the environment. "Information is the key to changing behavior," said Julie Klein, environmental director for Grand Teton. "By making our environmental program the foundation of our operations, it's easy for our employees to share this knowledge with our guests." Grand Teton is the only National Park concessioner to partner with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to promote responsible outdoor use through a multifaceted education program. The company has also made significant progress in other areas including energy and water use, sustainable cuisine, green retailing, materials use and procurement, infrastructure, recycling and waste reduction, and fuel management and impacts. Some of the highlights include: * Being one of the first Wyoming businesses to purchase wind-generated electricity, which in just one year eliminated the use of 80 tons of coal and prevented the release of 191 tons of carbon dioxide air pollution, the leading greenhouse gas. The company increases its commitment annually and currently purchases nearly 6% of its total energy from this clean, renewable source. * Offering sustainable cuisine in its restaurants with some of the product purchases in 2005 including 4,314 lbs of buffalo, 787 lbs of whole free-range chicken, 1,201 cases of organic baby greens, 13,944 heads of romaine lettuce, 469 lbs of organic herbs, and 2,799 lbs of wild fish * Becoming one of the first National Park Service concessionaires to offer biodiesel for sale to guests, with more than 17,000 gallons sold in one operating season of the bio blend consisting of 10%-20% vegetable oil and 80%-90% petroleum diesel * Utilizing E10 fuels (10% ethanol) in company vehicles and vended at all public service stations * Purchased hybrid and electrical vehicles for general staff use * Developed a "Go Green, Get Green" package for meeting planners that rewards them for conducting environmental-friendly meetings and conventions. * Reduced fuel and electricity consumption through the purchase of Energy Star appliances and electronics * Retrofitted plumbing fixtures while educating visitors and employees on water and energy conservation measures resulting in a 13% overall energy reduction within one year, equating to an annual water use reduction of more than a million gallons per year * Emphasizing the reuse and recycling of packaging materials amounting to the need for 12,000 less boxes on an annual basis in 2004 alone * Offering a wide range of green items for consumer purchase in the company's retail outlets including organic food products, recycled-content paper products, natural personal care products, natural and organic apparel, and gift items made with natural or regional materials * From bamboo flooring to recycled decking, incorporating the use of green building materials for facility improvements * Eliminating non-recyclable food and beverage paper products. The replacement of paper cups in employee areas amounted to a savings of 10,000 cups in a six month period. * Limiting the use of printed materials and ensuring all documents are printed with soy-based ink on a minimum of 30-percent, post-consumer recycled paper * Phasing out the use of individual guest room amenities for bulk dispensers for products such as soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion * Replacing petroleum oil in fleet vehicles with synthetic motor oil that supports waste reduction as it lengthens the time between oil changes "Recycling is just one-third of the equation for reducing negative impacts on the environment," notes John W. Rutter, senior vice president and chief operating officer for Grand Teton. "If we stop there, we've failed. We must take the next steps in closing the loop by purchasing and using sustainable products and those made from recycled-content materials. It's a three-step process of reduce, reuse, and recycle." Grand Teton Lodge Company is the largest concessioner in Grand Teton National Park, operating the lodging, restaurants, activities and tours at Jackson Lake Lodge, the four-diamond Jenny Lake Lodge and Colter Bay Village as well as Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club located just outside the Park in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Colleen wrote: >I am a Program Director of an environmental organization planning an >environmental workshop. I am looking for recommendations on >professional speakers who present information about how businesses can >'green up' their companies. I would like the presenter to focus on how >by taking environmentally sustainable business steps, our local >hospitality sector can 1) save money 2) help the environment and 3) >increase favorable PR within the community. Topics like water and >energy are of special interest. Does anyone have any suggestions of >speakers/organizations that I could invite to present on such a topic? >We don't have a huge budget, but are looking to fly someone out to >present for 3-4 hours on a weekday (speaker fees, travel and lodging >provided). > > > > > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "GreenYes" group. To post to this group, send email to GreenYes@no.address To unsubscribe from this group, send email to GreenYes-unsubscribe@no.address For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/GreenYes -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- |
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