Vail Cascade wins green recognition

VAIL, Colorado — Vail Cascade Resort was recently acknowledged as a leader in ecologically friendly practices with a rating of “five green keys” by Green Key Global.

Green Key Global is an eco-rating program with a graduated rating system, designed to recognize hotels and resorts that are committed to improving their environmental and fiscal performance. Based on the results of a comprehensive environmental assessment, hoteliers are awarded a one to five green key rating and provided with guidance on how to reduce environmental impacts through reduced utility consumption, employee training and supply chain management. This is the first year that Vail Cascade Resort applied for and was awarded the top level of recognition.

A statement regarding the award from Green Key Global called the Vail Cascade, “a hotel that exemplifies the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility throughout all areas of operations. The hotel employs cutting edge technologies, policies and programs which set an international standard for sustainable hotel operations.”

Vail Cascade has a formal, written environmental policy that addresses areas such as water and energy conservation, recycling, community involvement and “eco-purchasing” — striving to place a priority on buying recycled/earth-friendly products.

Adding to the efforts is the “Green Team,” a committee of employees on property that educate and motivate others to follow eco-friendly activities aligned with the Destination Earth initiative. Destination Hotels and Resorts, managing entity of Vail Cascade, chose the Destination Earth program as a company-wide initiative of sustainable practices.

Other notable efforts of the Vail Cascade include using organic and sustainable ingredients at its restaurant, Atwater on Gore Creek, special events on Earth Day and dedicated recycling waste bins in the hotel rooms, office spaces, and elsewhere at the resort.

Reported by:  Vail Daily