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| Uncommon Sense Graduates - Bridger Bowl |
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UnCommon Sense Program
Graduates 2009
Bridger Bowl Ski Area
Nonprofit Community Ski Area,
Bozeman, Montana
REASONS
FOR PARTICIPATION
Mike Riley, former president of the board of Bridger Bowl, knew
first-hand the benefits an organization can reap from the UnCommon
Sense program: his contracting company, On Site Management, was nearing
graduation from the program when he encouraged Bridger Bowl to sign up
for the second class. Such a top-down decision can sometimes meet
resistance at lower levels of an organization, but according to Paul
Bockus, the former Director of Food Service who oversaw the process,
the decision was met with enthusiasm. “Getting people on
board
down through the general manager to the staff was easy because the
culture here is a good fit for sustainability.”
BENEFITS
RECEIVED
While Bridger Bowl had already been recycling, Bockus admits it was
done in fits and starts. The city of Bozeman kept changing what they
would and wouldn’t recycle due to shifting contracts.
UnCommon
Sense helped the ski area formalize their waste management program, and
with three lodges, large cafeterias and a bar and grill, they had a lot
to manage. They found a reliable recycler to take their recyclables off
site and made stations more accessible for visitors out on the floor.
Signage gave clear directions to patrons and staff. The efforts were
successful: In 2008 Bridger Bowl diverted two 20-yard dumpster loads
from the landfill, even though it was a record season for snow and ski
visits. Sent to recyclers: 1,520 pounds of electronic waste, 16 cubic
yards of plastic, 20 cubic yards of steel/aluminum, 1,400 pounds of
office paper, and 6.5 tons of cardboard.
The focus on recycling dovetailed into their purchasing practices.
“We eliminated all glass from the cafeteria, because Bozeman
doesn’t recycle glass,” says Bockus. They now crush
the
glass from the bar with a newly purchased glass crusher, and in 2008
they ground 1.2 tons. They also have a cardboard crusher and baler on
site, and have switched from tin canned food products to those that
come in pouches, which save fossil fuels. While they considered
eliminating plastic bottles, Bockus had to consider customer service,
since skiers like to take them off site.
Because transportation issues are chronic in the Gallatin Valley, the
ski area had to focus on creative ways to alleviate congestion. In
2008, Bridger Bowl initiated their first employee bus system to run
every single day, with well over 5,000 riders taking advantage during
the year. For Bridger Bowl and its visitors, transportation and parking
have always caused problems. Several days over the last couple of
years, skiers were turned away because of a lack of parking. For their
annual birthday celebration, a much-anticipated and well-attended
event, they did not want to turn away business. The seed for a
carpooling program was planted at a brainstorming session in the
transportation module of UnCommon Sense. The final outcome was the
creation of the “Three on the Wheel” discount
program
implemented for the birthday event. To get the $15 lift tickets,
visitors had to car pool with three people per car. A 70% compliance
rate was estimated.
The proceeds for that event go to Montana State University’s
athletic programs. As a nonprofit organization, social investment is
part of their mission, and the UnCommon Sense program reinforced what
they were already doing right. The Bridger Bowl foundation supports a
youth ski racing team, as well as Eagle Mount, a nonprofit offering
therapeutic recreation opportunities to people with disabilities.
BOTTOM
LINE RESULTS
- Diverted 40 yards of garbage
from the landfill in 2008, despite record ski visits
- Initiated employee bus
system, with over 5,000 cumulative rides during the 2008 season
- Recycled 1,520 pounds of
electronic waste, 16 cubic yards of
plastic, 20 cubic yards of steel/ aluminum, 1,400 pounds of office
paper, and 6.5tons of cardboard
- Created discount carpooling
incentive for visitors at annual birthday event, achieving 70%
compliance
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