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| Uncommon Sense Graduates - Chico Hot Springs |
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UnCommon Sense Program Graduates 2009
CHICO HOT SPRINGS
Year-Round Mountain Resort Lodging, Pray, Montana
REASONS FOR PARTICIPATION
Chico Hot Springs General Manager Colin Davis understands that
“we are in an industry that generates a disproportionate
amount
of waste, and we have an ethical responsibility to try and minimize
that waste.” Hotel Manager Machele Jones adds that the
decision
to join the UnCommon Sense program was based on the knowledge that
their business relied upon the environment. According to Jones,
“We realized that we have a great natural resource
– the
hot water – and that we really needed to take care of what
takes
care of us.” They also realized that sustainability is the
future
of their industry, and they wanted to be ahead of the curve and in a
leadership role. While they knew they had a lot of improvements to
make, they didn’t know what first steps to take. Already a
member
business of the Yellowstone Business Partnership, they saw the
advertisement for the second class and believed UnCommon Sense would
give them the tools to make progress.
BENEFITS RECEIVED
While that initial decision was environmentally based, Jones quickly
learned that the environment is only one part of a triple bottom line
focus. Finding out about the social and economic aspects of
sustainability helped them make positive changes throughout the
organization.
With 32 buildings on 15 different electric meters and 16 propane tanks,
reducing and tracking electric consumption at the resort is a long-term
process. They decided to focus on select buildings. They switched to
CFL light bulbs in all guest rooms and lodges, replaced 80% of the
windows in the main lodge, added radiant floor heat in the main lodge
lobby and now partially heat three buildings with the spring water that
is the resort’s main draw. As a result of these and other
changes, they’ve seen a definite decrease in consumption in
the
buildings they focused on, while seeing an increase in the buildings
they didn’t, largely due to age and weatherization issues.
Still,
they decreased consumption overall by 1.7 kilowatt hours, which gives
them a clear business case to continue the process because of the
economic and environmental benefits.
Prior to UnCommon Sense, Chico had erratic recycling practices, but
they now recycle all cardboard, paper, glass and aluminum through the
county and a recycling cooperative. Purchasing decisions have also
changed significantly as well. Instead of focusing on price, the
environment is considered. Guest amenities come in either unbleached
cardboard packaging or corn starch-based bottles. The Poolside Grille
now uses eco-friendly cups, bamboo containers and biodegradable potato
forks instead of plastic.
One of Chico’s success stories actually shows how the social,
environmental and economic benefits of sustainability can work in
unison. An employee survey showed that satisfaction with management was
already high, but a new program to give employees $25 Chico Bucks for
any money-saving ideas resulted in a win-win situation. A housekeeping
staff member pointed out that the dirty laundry was going out of the
buildings in plastic bags, getting only one use out of each bag. By
purchasing canvas bags, they could get numerous uses out of one bag. By
engaging their employees and rewarding them, Chico has simultaneously
taken their investment in their employees to a new level, reduced their
environmental impact, and increased their bottom line.
BOTTOM LINE RESULTS
- Reduced overall electric consumption by 1.7 kilowatt hours
- Increased recyclables 100%
- Increased eco-friendly purchasing
- Increased employee engagement and incentives
- Increased use of on-site renewable energy resources
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