Eco 411
Eco Author | 11:17 am | April 29, 2009 | Hotel | Add a comment
Fully committed to environmentally sound practices, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is proud to introduce yet another trend-setting green-minded initiative -Worm Composting. In tandem with the resort’s other organic diversion and waste management programs, the worm bin will reduce approximately 128 pounds of organic waste monthly.
The low-maintenance worm composting bin provides both the resort and the municipality multiple benefits, including conservation of limited landfill space in compliance with waste mandates, expense reduction of municipal collection, disposal and maintenance. In addition to the employee and community educational component, the worm bin supports the resort’s ongoing efforts as a sustainable property.
Under the guidance of the resort’s Green Champion, Melissa Attanasio the 3’ x 3’x 14” worm bin was constructed near the employee parking lot. “By feeding the worms hotel food waste; we end up with one of the best (sustainable) soil amendments and fertilizers —worm castings.”
The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa strives to meet the growing public demand for environmentally-friendly products, services and practices. As a recent recipient of Sonoma County’s Business Environmental Alliance 2008 Best (Green) Practices Award the resort makes every effort to reduce their impact on the environment.
Green tourism is a term used to describe best environmental practice within the tourism sector. It covers issues such as business efficiency, environmental management, waste, transport, as well as topics like social responsibility and biodiversity. “Our commitment to the environment is not just used as buzzword,” boasts General Manager, Kelley Cosgrove. “Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has made it part of the corporate culture and daily operations from the frontline to the boardroom.”
Eco Author | 11:20 am | April 22, 2009 | Service and Supplier | Add a comment
On April 13th 2009 Orange Photography was officially certified “green” by the San Francisco Department of the Environment’s Green Business Program, making them the only recognized green photography studio in the city and county of San Francisco.
The process began in 2008 when founders Gene X. Hwang and Jack Huynh applied for their green audit. The criteria included compliance with environmental regulations, conservation efforts, and pollution prevention. They also had to show green initiatives that benefit their employees, clients, community, and the growth of their business. Orange Photography eventually demonstrated:
“Our photography is cutting edge. We use this same perspective when conducting business and addressing social responsibility as a company.” – Gene X. Hwang
In addition to their green campaign, Orange Photography also has a Social Photography program that has served 60+ non-profit organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area over the past 8-years.
About Orange Photography
Orange Photography is the largest full-service event photography agency and studio based in San Francisco providing corporate, wedding, and lifestyle photography. They have a nationwide network of affiliates and have recently added corporate video options to their comprehensive breadth of services.
Eco Author | 2:17 pm | April 20, 2009 | Service and Supplier | Add a comment
Sustainable building helps to protect the environment through sustainable practices
SAN FRANCISCO, APRIL 16, 2009 –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pacific Southwest Region 9 awarded SMG and The Moscone Center the prestigious 2009 Environmental Achievement Award for distinguishing itself as a sustainable building that has helped to protect the environment.
“This year’s winners and nominees have made superb efforts to protect and preserve our air, water and land, and increased awareness of the environmental challenges we all face,” said Laura Yoshii, the U.S. EPA’s acting administrator for the Pacific Southwest region, “It is a great pleasure and honor that we can recognize the innovative and important environmental work achieved by this year’s impressive group of organizations and individuals, and the example they set for all of us to follow.”
“SMG promotes and supports business practices at Moscone Center, which minimize environmental impact, benefit the local community and make economic sense. The success achieved at the Moscone Center is due to the close collaboration of numerous players including SMG staff, show management, contractors, attendees, exhibitors, the Public Utilities Commission, the City and County of San Francisco, and hundreds of workers from the labor unions represented at the Moscone Center,” said Dick Shaff, Vice President and General Manager.
Sustainable purchasing, green cleaning, and management of toxic materials are all practiced throughout the facility. From energy efficiency and resource conservation practices in lighting and water management to the 2004 installation of a 675 kilowatt peak solar energy system, the building actively manages energy and resource usage to be as efficient as possible. Water management includes drip irrigation landscaping, low flush valve plumbing and water saving devices in restrooms.
Moscone Center’s recycling program is celebrating its tenth year. The program’s scope has grown to handle more than 20 materials for diversion or donation. In the past two years, the diversion rate has surpassed 60% with over 20% representing donated goods benefitting the local community.
The 2009 U.S. EPA’s Environmental Achievement Award was presented at U.S. EPA Pacific Southwest Region 9 office April 16, 2009 in San Francisco, Calif.
The Pacific Southwest’s Environmental Achievement Awards program acknowledges commitment and significant contributions to the environment in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Pacific Islands and tribal lands.
The Moscone Center is owned by the City and County of San Francisco and is operated by SMG. SMG is a private management company and currently operates over 200 facilities worldwide.
Eco Author | 4:01 pm | April 10, 2009 | Service and Supplier | Add a comment
Through our partnership with Green Ride Global, we have created a Corporate Environmental Policy that addresses the immediate and long-term environmental impacts in all aspects of our business. We have implemented an Environmental Management system that is ISO 14001 Compliant, qualifies us for inclusion in the US EPA Climate Leaders program, and includes strategies to reduce the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from fuel consumption, electricity use, supply purchases, waste disposal and employee travel.
Green Strategy
Some of our Green initiatives include:
Pure Luxury is proud to announce our goal of achieving a 20% reduction in GHG emissions over the next five to ten years, as our third-party verifier – Green Ride Global – monitors, measures and reports on our progress.
In our first year, our total normalized emissions were reduced by 17%! We were awarded two prestigious awards for our Environmental Program for Client Outreach & Awareness and Overall Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction.
Eco Author | 12:24 pm | April 8, 2009 | Hotel | Add a comment
Joie de Vivre Hotels is California’s Largest Boutique Hotel Collection. In 2008, we launched our Green Dreams program to preserve the environment by incorporating sustainability into our core business operations. Our green policies and practices are designed to educate our employees and guests, reduce waste and toxins, conserve natural resources and partner with local and environmentally-friendly businesses. Our mission is to adhere to the strictest environmental standards, engage in sustainable practices and maintain an impeccable quality of guest experience.
Our Green Dreams website contains green travel tips, green resources, and a property scorecard where you can see the practices in place at each of our hotels. Many of our hotels are fully green certified, offer green meetings, and our Hotel Carlton was the first hotel in San Francisco to install solar panels on its roof.
 |
 |
 |