BROOMFIELD, CO.—RockResorts, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vail Resorts, announced a commitment to a minimum 10-point program of initial environmental standards that will be applied to every guestroom brand-wide. Building on the basics, highlights from the standards include: terry (towel) and linen reuse program; in-room recycling program for newspaper, beverage cans, glass and plastic bottles; energy-efficient lighting and electronics; use of low flow water conserving fixtures; custom formulated all natural, essential oil-based amenities; use of environmentally preferable and safer cleaning products; conversion to low- or no-VOC paints and finishes; reusable and renewable jute newspaper bag; entirely smoke-free facilities; and voluntary guest donation program with the National Forest Foundation (Colorado RockResorts) or similar nonprofit organization for RockResorts outside of Colorado.
This program will enhance existing environmental efforts at each property and aims to engage guests in the resource conservation process. The new green features were designed to not distract from the guest experience, and instead serve to enhance the rooms’ existing style and decor. RockResorts dates its environmental roots to its founder, Laurance Rockefeller, who started the company in 1956 based on the premise that all properties would embrace their iconic locations. Green Rooms at RockResorts follow other initiatives such as “Appetite for Life” sustainable cuisine and “Give and Getaway” volunteer vacation opportunities.
Effective immediately, all RockResorts properties are using “Waste Not” baskets for in-room recycling of newspapers, beverage cans and glass or plastic bottles. To further reduce waste while giving guests options, if guests choose to receive a daily newspaper it will be delivered in a reusable and renewable jute newspaper bag.
Green Amenity Program
The new Green Rooms also offer custom formulated, all-natural essential oil-based amenities, including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, bath and facial bars. These products are free from preservatives and other artificial ingredients such as parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate derivates and artificial/synthetic colors and fragrances. All bottled products are recyclable, including the aluminum caps. Efforts are under way to donate partially used toiletry products to charities to support people in need.
Housekeeping contributes to the green efforts by using environmentally-preferable and safer cleaning products, which are formulated without chemicals such as chlorine bleach and instead include less toxic and bio-based cleaning agents. Additionally, a focused commitment remains in place to support a towel and linen reuse program, stating that linens will automatically be changed every third night, unless the guest places the card or designated item on the pillow.
Aggressive efforts are in place to retrofit rooms with energy-efficient lighting and electronics, from lamps and bulbs to televisions. To save energy on heating and cooling, many properties have installed programmable thermostats and staff are trained to set back temperatures during daily service and when rooms are unoccupied where technology isn’t already in place. In the bathrooms, the use of low-flow water conserving fixtures replaces the previous faucet sink aerators, toilets and showerheads. Guestroom walls are being converted to low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and finishes. All rooms and facilities across the brand are entirely smoke-free.
Green Rooms Meet Minimum Requirements
“The Green Room standards are just the minimum requirements on the environmental front,” said Julie Klein, director of environmental affairs for RockResorts. “We plan to continue to grow this program in the future to further demonstrate our commitment to the iconic locations in which we operate our resort hotels. Vail Resorts is striving to reduce the company’s overall energy use by 10 percent by the end of 2010, and steps like incorporating environmentally-preferable fixtures is one way to help our company reach that goal.”
Guests are given the opportunity to give back to the environment by donating $1 per night to the National Forest Foundation (NFF) or a similar nonprofit program for RockResorts outside of Colorado. For every dollar contributed by guests, the NFF will match at $.50. Since 2006, this program including matching funds has generated more than $1.2 million that has been designated for on-the-ground conservation efforts in the national forests surrounding the resorts. For information on contributions to date, visit www.vailresorts.com/CORP/info/protecting-our-forests.aspx.
