PHOENIX, ARIZ.—Aramark Parks & Resorts, a division of Aramark Harrison Lodging, announced that it has offset 100 percent of its traditional energy consumption with alternative energy solutions at its national and state park managed properties—selecting Earth Day 2007 to commemorate its first year of sustainable energy use.
“Aramark Parks has continually developed cutting edge environmental and greening initiatives,” says Bruce Fears, president of Aramark Harrison Lodging. “Since protecting and preserving the environment is a personal passion of mine, it has been extremely rewarding to have participated in developing such innovative Aramark programs including PlanetEVERgreen, Green Suites EcoRooms; Sustainable Prix-Fixe Menus; and our new Green Tag initiative, the perfect complement to our existing efforts.”
Aramark is committed to the environment through its PlanetEVERgreen program, the official name for Aramark Parks & Resorts’ environmental management program, which influences every aspect of the company’s business, from building design, guest education, recycling and waste reduction to purchasing and procurement.
“Our new Green Tag initiative further positions us as an industry leader that is committed to operating from a deep sense of love and respect for the planet, and in a manner that protects and restores our nation’s natural, cultural and historical resources for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations,” says Karen Wittig, Aramark Harrison Lodging’s vice president of sustainability and environmental education.
100 Percent of Electricity Consumption Offset
Working with Carbon Solutions Group, an environmental consulting group focused on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission and renewable energy, and Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a pioneer in developing the market for renewable energy certificates, Aramark Parks & Resorts has purchased enough Green Tags, also known as renewable energy certificates, to counterbalance 24.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide—offsetting 100 percent of the company’s traditional electrical consumption.
“Green Tags offset the effects of global warming pollution that conventional electricity generates,” Wittig says. “Green Tags are created when renewable energy sources are substituted for energy traditionally generated by burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil or natural gas.”
Aramark’s Green Tags will be applied to funding Green-e certified renewable generation projects in locations including Washington state, Alaska, Indiana, and Illinois, which in turn may help reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases while also contributing clean renewable energy that is environmentally friendly.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Fortune 500 Green Power Challenge, Aramark would be ranked within the top 20 Fortune 500 companies participating in the agency’s challenge to roughly double their current level of green power purchasing, as well as raise awareness of green power options and stimulate the construction of new domestic green power resources.
For more information on Aramark Parks & Resorts’ Green Tag or PlanetEVERgreen initiatives, go to www.aramarkharrisonlodging.com.
