Environment
Environmental Initiatives at Sunday River - A never ending effort
The Jordan Grand and the Grand Summit recently achieved certification through 2008 from the state of Maine Department of Environmental Protection as being an environmental leader in the hospitality sector due to comprehensive conservation efforts in administration, housekeeping, landscaping, water, and energy use.
A renewed emphasis has been placed on environmentally friendly business practices aimed at minimizing the resort's impact on the surrounding environment. Sunday River employs waterless urinals, has removed garbage disposals, uses green chemicals throughout the resort, recycles universal and electronic waste, uses energy efficient lighting in all lodges and offices, offers toilet paper that is all recycled, uses 4 stroke snowmobiles, and is installing water saving devices in showers and toilets. A number of other efforts have been completed or are underway including what is listed below.
Low Flow Fixtures
Low-flow showers and toilets have been installed in the base lodge and all condos constructed in the last 11 years. Also, a proposal is being considered to re-use shower water for flush toilets. This would result in further water savings. Sunday River employs waterless urinals, has removed garbage disposals, uses green chemicals throughout the resort, recycles universal and electronic waste, uses energy efficient lighting in all lodges and offices, offers toilet paper that is all recycled, uses 4 stroke snowmobiles, and is installing water saving devices in showers and toilets.
Water Pressure Reductions
We implemented an adjustment to all regulators to 50-55 lb. range. Guests did not notice any difference in water pressure and have found less complaints on water issues this past year than in years past. We realized a considerable dollar savings in electricity, and reduced water usage and equipment wear and tear by implementing this adjustment. We are leaving the adjustments to all regulators at this range and expect energy and water savings to the resort for the upcoming years ahead.
Erosion Control and on-mountain wastewater
Erosion control systems are in place that significantly reduce silt and run-off into nearby water sources. The on-mountain wastewater treatment plant is still expandable after 13 years in service. In an effort to reduce sludge at Sunday Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant, 120 bottom feeding fish called Hornpout were introduced into the lagoons as a natural way to help reduce the accumulating sludge.
Low Energy Snowguns
Sunday River has been steadily growing the fleet of Low Energy guns, which produce the same amount of snow as traditional snow guns but use 40 percent less energy. The fleet stands at 180 guns for the 2007-2008 season with more to come.
Hornpout addition to wastewater lagoons
120 hornpout were introduced to #1 & #2 Lagoons at Sunday River. This is an experiment that we are trying over the course of a few years to determine whether we will see some benefits to sludge reductions in our system. We have successfully gas cleaned twice since, with no adverse effects noticed on the fish. These species of fish are expected to feed on the worms found among the sludge, which will release the humus material back into the aeration layers to be broken up, reducing the sludge density. These fish are very strong willed and will grow about 1"/month in this environment.
Mountain Cleanup Day
There now is a company-wide mountain cleanup day that happens twice a year. In addition, the resort bases part of its purchasing decisions on whether the products are biodegradable and whether or not the product has been recycled in the past or can be recycled when it leaves the resort.
Recycling Program
The resort's primary goal was to decrease the volume and weight of the solid waste leaving the resort. Great strides were made in documenting and communicating processes, which influenced a cultural change within the company. Most employees are now aware of the benefits of recycling. In addition, employees take the initiative in finding environmentally friendly alternatives to land filling. Universal waste products recycled this season at the resort included 62 Ni-Cd batteries, 28 Pb batteries, and 216 fluorescent bulbs. Close to 25 tons of cardboard were recycled between January 1st and April 30th. Over 62,000 plastic, glass, and aluminum bottles and cans have been collected and an additional 570 ink jet and laser cartridges were collected and donated to the local school district to be recycled in exchange for technology points. Additionally, the resort has trained its employees to recycle office paper, newspapers, magazines, and junk mail. Finally, there also are systems in place to recycle drywall, shingles, computer equipment, metal, and wood products.
Sustainable Slopes the Environmental Charter for Ski Areas
The National Ski Areas Association, together with its member ski areas and partnering organizations, have created an environmental charter a set of voluntary environmental principles to aid in ski area planning, operations and outreach. The Charter reaffirms the commitment ski areas have in improving environmental performance in all aspects of operations and managing their specific resorts, making possible their continued enjoyment by future generations - true sustainability.
What Skiers, Snowboarders, and Ski Area Guests can do to help:
Follow the Leave No Trace principles of outdoor ethics when visiting ski areas: Plan ahead and prepare: Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit, prepare for winter weather, and consider off-peak visits when scheduling your trip.
- Dispose of waste properly: Recycle your glass, plastics, aluminum and paper at at Whiteface. Appropriate recycling receptacles are provided in all food areas. Reuse trail maps on your next visit or recycle them rather than throwing them away. Never throw trash, cigarette butts or other items from lifts.
- Respect wildlife: In summer and winter, stick to designated trails when hiking and biking to avoid disturbances to vegetation and wildlife.
- Be considerate of other guests: Respect other guests, protect the quality of their experience, and let nature’s sounds prevail.
- Carpool with friends and family or use transit to avoid traffic when traveling to and within ski area
- Turn off the lights when leaving your room and reuse bath towels and linens to help conserve energy and water.
- Provide feedback and let ski areas know how the can improve their environmental performance.
