Arizona Biltmore Launches Green Initiative

The Arizona Biltmore announced today, the launch of a full scale Green Initiative Program.

"Adopting environmentally friendly practices is no longer an option but a necessity, and at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa we are committed to becoming an industry leader in this growing trend," said Julia Thorn, director of corporate communications. "That's why we have developed our Green Initiative that is extraordinarily comprehensive and sustainable, covering every aspect of our operations and every department of the resort, from water-saving plans and biodegradable supplies to organic products in the spa."

The goal of the Green Initiative is to significantly reduce the Arizona Biltmore's global footprint, create a more efficient and environmentally friendly operation, and establish the Arizona Biltmore as an environmentally responsible resort. To achieve this, the resort has identified actions, initiatives and practices that have been put into affect throughout the resort; additional steps are planned this year and into 2009.

A Green Committee, composed of executives from every department of the resort, was established to oversee development and implementation of the plan, monitor and adjust as necessary the existing initiatives, and explore additional avenues of action.

A few items among the many actions currently being taken:

General

• Converted to compact fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent overhead lighting.
• Recycling resort-wide including cardboard, paper, aluminum, plastic, printing cartridges, batteries, etc.
• Using environmentally safe, certified green, cleaning products in guest rooms, public areas, etc.

Spa

• Use chemical-free, organic and vegan products that work with the body.
• Use clean-burning flameless candles in treatment rooms and throughout the spa.

Grounds

• Converting to electric lawn mowers and leaf blowers.
• Use reclaimed water from the canal for watering.
• Return plant containers that are not biodegradable to growers for recycling.

Rooms & Suites

• Offer water saving options for sheets and towels in guestrooms.
• Convert to organic cotton linens and bathrobes.
• Use low-flow toilets and shower heads

Public Areas and Front Office

• Paperless check-in & check-out for guests.
• Key cards made from recycled corn products.

Office and Operations Areas

• Distribute documents such as memos, reports and contracts by email only, unless a printed hard copy is required.
• When printing or copying is required, encourage two-sided printing/copying, using the smallest margins possible, using scrap paper, etc.
• Use water coolers rather than water bottles.
• Turn off lights, computers, etc. in offices when not in use.
• Added recycled-paper, motionless towel dispensers in 90 areas of the hotel.
• Turn off lights and air conditioning when rooms are not in use.

Dining & Banquets

• Purchase food from local and organic growers whenever feasible.
• Use reusable containers for beverages, food and condiments whenever possible.
• Recycle cooking/fryer oils into diesel fuel.
• Arranging compost pick-up for food scraps.

Trip Reduction Programs

• Carpool parking.
• Free bus passes.

Many additional actions are planned in the months ahead, from offering recycling in guest rooms and public areas to installing new weather stripping on windows and doors and thermal film on windows.

Meetings & Events

The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa also is working closely with groups to make meetings and events greener by adopting appropriate products and practices. These range from providing water coolers rather than individual water bottles, to using recyclable and biodegradable paper products for materials, signs, etc., to opting for cans rather than glass for beverages.

To learn more about the Arizona Biltmore or other Green hotels around the US, please log onto: www.greenlodge.org

California Introduces Statewide Green Building Code

California has proposed a new statewide building code aimed at improving energy efficiency and water consumption. Goals of the new code include: 50 percent landscape water conservation reduction; energy use of new structures are 15%t better than under existing standards; and, greater use of recycled materials.

Governor Schwarzenegger said this say in a press release:

"By adopting this first-in-the-nation statewide green building code, California is again leading the way to fight climate change and protect the environment. This is literally a groundbreaking move to ensure that when we break ground on all new buildings in the Golden State we are promoting green building and energy efficient new technologies. Cars and buildings are two of the leading users of energy – we’re already addressing cars, and these new building standards will ensure that California remains at the forefront of reducing our carbon footprint and conserving valuable natural resources while also protecting our economy. We have already committed to making our state-owned buildings more green and energy efficient and this statewide code will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency and conserve water in all new buildings."

"With today’s action, California continues to lead the nation and I commend the hard work of the Building Standards Commission to adopt the first-in-the-nation statewide green building standards."


California Green Building Standards

First "Green" Event and Wedding Planning Company Launches

Interested in eco-friendly weddings, parties and corporate events? Now there is a company that will plan them for you. Green Envy Events, a full service event planning and coordination company that focuses on “Green” affairs, has just launched in Phoenix. Founders, Kristin Seagren and Kacee Sissener, have a combined 12 years of experience in planning an array of events including weddings, parties, concerts, and corporate events. The increasing demand for eco-friendly alternatives for weddings and corporate events was the impetus for the business and now the two experts have joined forces to launch the first green event planning company in the Valley.

Focusing on the bridal end of the business, Kristin Seagren emphasizes “Green weddings can be just as luxurious and elegant as any traditional wedding - they just have an environmentally conscious flair. We show the bride and groom how they can create their dream wedding while still being environmentally friendly.”

Green Envy Events is also providing environmentally conscious companies an outlet to host responsible gatherings. Larger events can put a huge strain on carbon emissions with guests flying into the event, renting vehicles and filling up hotel rooms and conference/meeting space. By having your event planner aware of the environment from the get-go will be a huge bonus for reducing an events carbon footprint.

Green Envy Events