Media Contact: Catherine Boire, (707) 255-5997; CBoirePR@aol.com
Public Contact: (866) 429-5980; www.VisitAsilomar.com
More than 180 tons of materials diverted from landfills in a record-setting year
for the retreat’s GreenPath environmental program
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif., April 16, 2008 –As the country prepares to celebrate Earth Day 2008, Asilomar Conference Grounds is celebrating new records in the resort-wide reduction, recycling and reuse of materials. Achievements are highlighted in Asilomar’s 2007 GreenPath Report, released this month.
“In the last year alone, Asilomar staff and guests diverted 180 tons of waste through our GreenPath initiatives. We recycled nearly half a million pounds of cardboard, launched a property-wide food composting program and converted more than 9,500 pounds of fats and food oils into bio-fuel,” says Rick Wood, Asilomar Facilities and Environmental Manager. “This Earth Day, we are proud to note these achievements – and the numbers inspire us to continue expanding our conservation efforts.”
Other accomplishments noted in the 2007 GreenPath Report include:
# Reduced electricity use by 88,197 kilowatt hours from 2006
# Reduced water use by 2 gallons per guest from 2006
# Composted 21,961 pounds of food waste from onsite dining services
# Recycled 3,555 pounds of old computers and office equipment
# Donated more than 5,000 pounds of food to local humanitarian groups
# Became a Certified Green Business through the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program
# Developed new GreenPath Awareness Training and documentation procedures
Asilomar launched its progressive, property-wide GreenPath program eight years ago, initiating a series of sustainability and conservation projects. Since then, the resort has reduced water consumption by more than 9.8 million gallons, electrical use by 628,197 kilowatt hours and natural gas use by 92,400 therms. During the same time frame, Asilomar employees have recycled more than 1,280 tons of glass, plastics, metals and paper, recycled some 26.5 tons of scrap metal and donated 8,628 meals to local charities.
Other GreenPath initiatives include employee and guest educational programs, the use of Green-Seal certified cleaners and an emphasis on sustainable building materials, energy-efficient appliances and recycled products.
Asilomar is Pacific Grove’s only lodging property certified “green” by the California Integrated Waste Management Board in partnership with the Department of General Services. It was also the first Monterey County lodging unit certified by the Monterey Area Green Business Program. The seaside retreat is operated under contract with California State Parks by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, Inc.
For more information on Asilomar Conference Grounds, go to www.visitasilomar.com or call 866-429-5980.
About Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts
Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Inc., a subsidiary of Buffalo, N.Y.-based Delaware North Companies, Inc., is a leading hospitality provider with significant experience in hotel, retail, food service, recreation and transportation operations. The company’s portfolio includes historic properties in North America, including Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; Yosemite, Sequoia, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone national parks; Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds; Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite; Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa; Old Town San Diego State Historic Park; Niagara Falls State Park; Jones Beach State Park; The Lodge and Conference Center at Geneva State Park, The BALSAMS Grand Resort; and The Gideon Putnam Resort. To learn more about Delaware North Companies’ expertise in the hospitality industry, visit www.dnchospitalitymgt.com.
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