Destination Earth
PRESERVING OUR ENVIRONMENT, ONE DESTINATION AT A TIME
Destination Earth is...
In recognition of the need to preserve the world in which we operate and serve our guests, Destination Hotels & Resorts is dedicated to practices and programs that pay respect to, and lessen our footprint on, our changing environment.
As the fourth largest independent hospitality management company in the country, we are committed to creating a new benchmark for our hotels and resorts through a series of environmental initiatives, both on the corporate level and at each of our individual properties.
HOW ARE WE MAKING A DIFFERENCE?
Corporate Practices
We are proud to have a "Destination Earth" taskforce, comprised of leaders throughout the organization and representing hotel and resort operations, to ensure that all departments and associates of Destination Hotels & Resorts are personally involved and committed to the program. Each of our properties has a designated "green team" onsite and has made a commitment to pursuing:
- Sourcing environmentally responsible services and products locally, and purchasing organic, environmentally friendly- and recycled supplies, whenever possible.
- Purchasing fresh and sustainable foods locally grown, whenever possible.
- Creating partnerships with other organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to preserving the environment.
- Leading our associates to apply eco-friendly practices in their daily operations.
- Utilizing environmentally responsible building materials and strategies for new properties and renovations to reduce environmental impact.
- Retrofitting existing properties with energy efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems, as well as water-saving devices.
- Implementing tools that allow us to continually measure the progress of our individual properties and support their commitment to preserving the environment through the Destination Earth program.
Destination Hotels & Resorts recognizes that our customers, owners and associates all benefit from and desire a healthy, sustainable environment. As we continue on the journey of environmental stewardship, we are committed to maintaining the superior guest experience that our customers expect, while reducing our impact on the earth's natural resources. Throughout our portfolio, our hotels and resorts have received numerous awards, recognitions, certifications, and honors for implementing eco-friendly practices. The following is a sample of sustainable initiatives taking place at our properties:
Hamilton Park Initiatives
Hamilton Park has received a Gold Tier Green Star certification from the International Association of Conference Centers for adherence to the IACC Code of Sustainability.
The rigorous IACC Code of Sustainability includes 59 tenets in the following areas:
- Education, Awareness and Public Declaration
- Waste Management
- Recycling
- Reuse
- Water Conservation
- Purchasing
- Energy Management
- Air Quality
- Food & Beverage
Meetings
In an effort to save water and plastic, we've come up with a number of initiatives. While we have bottled water at each meeting place setting, we encourage meeting attendees to use our Poland Spring® water cooler for refills during breaks. Of course, your bottle in the meeting rooms will be replaced with a fresh bottle when empty, which is why we've also created... --- A coaster, which doubles as a water 'preserver' so that our conference services staff doesn't replace your water bottles before you're ready.
All waste paper left behind from meetings as well as all of our office waste is collected, and placed in locked shredder boxes. We do this to both ensure our client's privacy, as well as to recycle all of that paper.
We installed a 'rooftop economizer' which uses outside air to cool meeting rooms. So for example, it may be cool outside, but 200 people in a meeting room generates enough heat that air conditioning is needed to cool the room down. The Economizer pulls in the outdoor air to cool the room, rather than have a compressor kick on which uses quite a bit more energy.
Guest Room Amenities
We've switched our bathroom amenities to Ecossential Elements® bath products... made with organic natural ingredients
We've replaced 5,000 light bulbs with long life energy efficient compact fluorescents. Every compact florescent saves 450 pounds of emissions from a power plant over its lifetime!* They also live up to 10x longer than old fashioned bulbs, so that's a whole lot less dead light bulbs in the garbage!
Other Recycling
We recycle all newspapers, cardboard boxes, plastic and glass.
We don't just recycle newspapers, cardboard boxes, plastic and glass, we're now working with Clean the World to recycle soap, conditioner, shampoo and lotion, including both the bottles and products.
Transportation
In an effort to help our employees get to work efficiently, and economically and with less cars on the road, we've participated in "New Jersey Wheels," a shared ride service. Our involvement in this program won us state-wide recognition by New Jersey Transit as one of the premier companies in New Jersey.
Property Initiatives
Sunriver
Resort
Sunriver, OR
LEED® Certification
Submitted two projects in the Spring of 2009 to the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) for LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. The Marina Building and the Trail Ride Registration Facility are making history for both the resort and the Sunriver community as these will be the first two facilities in Sunriver to accomplish this.
InterContinental
Tampa and The Shores Resort & Spa
Tampa, FL
and Daytona Beach Shores, FL
Green Certifications
Both hotels are recognized by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as "One Palm" members of The Florida Green Lodging Program.
Stowe
Mountain Lodge
Stowe, VT
Green
Certifications
Certified as a "Green Hotel in the Green Mountain State".
Received The Audubon Green Leaf certification, with a score of 4 of 5 Green Leaves.
Stowe Mountain Club: The golf course received Signature Sanctuary Certification from Audubon International.
Tempe
Mission Palms Hotel and Conference Center
Tempe, AZ
Transportation
Participates in Maricopa County's Trip Reduction Program by offering benefits to its employees who commute. The hotel has been noted as one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters for exceeding the national standard of excellence designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Terranea
Resort
Rancho Palos
Verdes, CA
Preservation
Terranea was meticulously built on the Palos Verdes Peninsula with more than 631,800 square feet of native habitat areas. One example of habitat preservation is that approximately 45 mature trees dating over 50 years were boxed prior to construction and then replanted throughout the site as a tribute to the history of this location. Additional environmental mitigation efforts include, but aren't limited to, protecting and enhancing local water quality. To do this Terranea is implementing a series of environmental best management practices that include wet ponds, bioswales and storm filters. Bioswales are vegetated channels, essentially created wetlands, which enhance water quality and provide a habitat for many avian species.
The Carolina
Inn
Chapel Hill,
NC
Water Conservation
All public area restrooms are equipped with sensor toilets, minimizing water flow. In addition, water efficient shower heads have been installed in all guest rooms. A towel and bed linen reuse program is in place and the housekeeping department uses a patented aqua-fusion laundry system that customizes the amount of ozone delivered to each washer. The system reduces hot water usage and overall water use by 30%, decreases energy expenses, shortens wash cycles and reduces linen replacement costs.
Tarrytown
House Estate and Conference Center
Tarrytown,
NY
Culinary
The culinary team at Tarrytown House is working to constantly get more of its food from throughout the Hudson Valley to reduce the carbon footprint of bringing in food from around the world. The Hudson Valley is quickly becoming a regional leader in natural and organic produce, as well as high quality artisan meats, poultry, breads and cheeses. During the spring and summer months, local gets no closer than Tarrytown's own herb garden. Executive Chef, Brian Wieler, heads to his herb garden each day to add the perfect touch to each day's dishes. Tarrytown House works with a local co-op which converts our waste cooking oil to bio-diesel for community use.
Destination Earth Partners
Business Evolution Consulting is a sustainability consulting firm and provides important strategic and tactical support to maximize our program's development and success. www.businessevolutionconsulting.com
