As published on Green Lodging News, Xanterra Parks & Resorts just released its 2014 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report. For those of you not familiar with Xanterra, its assets include operations at Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park and numerous other parks, two resorts, two hotels, and companies such as Windstar Cruises and VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations. Xanterra is one of the companies I have been reporting on the longest. The company has been tracking its environmental footprint since 2000. Since that year Xanterra has reduced its total fossil fuel consumption across park and resort operations by 29 percent, increased renewable energy use 18 percent, and decreased its greenhouse gas emissions 27.5 percent.
In its 2014 report Xanterra provides many examples of steps that have been taken to reach goals set in previous years. In Death Valley National Park, for example, Xanterra installed a 1.23 megawatt solar photovoltaic system. At Yellowstone National Park Xanterra reclaimed a formerly contaminated brownfield site, and constructed the first LEED certified employee housing in the national parks. That employee residence earned the prestigious LEED Platinum level of certification. This year, Xanterra’s inaugural year at Glacier National Park, the company implemented a first-ever glass recycling program, banned PET bottles at Lake McDonald Lodge, and served 48 percent sustainable cuisine.
While Xanterra has made significant progress in reducing its impact so far, over the next 10 years the company is being even more aggressive with its 2025 Sustainability Vision Goals. By 2025 Xanterra is aiming to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent—what Xanterra’s Catherine Greener, Vice President of Sustainability, calls a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). Additional goals include: 5 percent less energy used annually, 5 percent less water used annually, 70 percent sustainable cuisine, and 25 percent of assets certified landfill free.
Wise Investments in Upgrades
I spoke with Catherine this past week about Xanterra’s accomplishments so far and its 2025 goals. First off, Catherine was emphatic about giving credit where it was due—to past and current Xanterra associates who have contributed to the company’s success. I asked her how Xanterra plans on axing its CO2 emissions by such a large percentage. She explained that Xanterra will continue what it has been doing—focusing on replacing aging equipment with that which is more efficient—in kitchens, guestrooms and other areas. Lighting upgrades will continue, as well as investments in fuel-efficient transportation. Some of what Xanterra will do remains a mystery at this point, Catherine admits.
“We know that we will probably be implementing technology that has not been invented yet,” she says. “To remain in a leadership role, we have to set big targets.”
Catherine says Xanterra is getting close to looking at landfill-diversion certification. “All of our assets are looking at how we minimize solid waste and food waste,” she says. Xanterra is currently piloting a program at one location that allows guests to dispose of compostables in the guestroom.
A Systems Approach to Continuous Improvement
A lot of what Xanterra does is done by taking a systems approach. Its sustainability goals and efforts fall under four pillars: use resources efficiently and effectively; strive for zero waste; build and operate sustainably; and provide guests with sustainable choices. Xanterra tracks its environmental performance across all aspects of operations using its ISO 14001 audited program called Ecologix. Ecometrix is the name for the data gathering part of Ecologix.
Moving forward, Catherine says Xanterra will continue to pursue LEED certification and implement green building practices.
Xanterra’s 2014 Corporate Social Responsibility Report is its first such report since 2011. Back then it was an environmental sustainability report. This new report encompasses more of CSR and includes a section on Philanthropy and Awards & Certifications. Be sure to give it a read.
More on K Cups
One reader responded to last week’s column on K Cups and informed me that there is one other company to keep in mind as a source for biodegradable K cups. The company is Rogers Family Co.
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