WHISTLER, B.C.—The United Nations declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, and Fairmont Chateau Whistler has followed suit this spring by introducing a new sustainability initiative.
Working in collaboration with ‘Clean the World Canada since the start of the year, Fairmont Chateau Whistler is now diverting discarded soap and amenity bottled products from landfill and is now recycling and repurposing these materials. The repurposed product is being distributed to Canadians in need at local food banks and homeless shelters where the requirement of hygiene products is critical. Since inauguration of the program, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler has diverted 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of shampoo and soap product each month.
“Our participation in the Clean the World program is an exciting—and important—step towards a waste-free operation,” said Kate Smyth, Assistant Talent & Culture Manager and Environmental Committee Chairperson. “We live and work in a spectacular environment, and our passionate colleagues want to protect it as long as possible.”
Golf Course Certified by Audubon
Sustainable practices are not new to Fairmont Chateau Whistler. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Course was recently recognized for Environmental Excellence when it was recertified through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program. To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas including: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.
“Fairmont Chateau Golf Course has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program,” said Tara Donadio, Director of Cooperative Sanctuary Programs at Audubon International. “They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property. I believe that Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Course is a role model for other courses.” The golf course was designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 1998 and goes through a recertification process every three years.
Some of Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s other sustainability initiatives include Get Bear Smart partnerships, Green Cuisine, Waste Management, Meetings that Matter, plus support of the annual Toadlet Migration and raising funds for the education of beekeepers through the Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s Bee+B Offer.
