Scottsdale, Arizona Recognizes Green Initiatives - 2009

Orange Tree Golf Resort, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, and Desert Botanical Garden (as well as O’Neil Printing) were recognized for exhibiting outstanding sustainability practices.

The Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau acknowledged participants in three categories: Green, Greener and Greenest. The Green category recognizes businesses that created green projects, programs or campaigns; while the Greener designation is awarded for improvements on pre-existing efforts. The Greenest category is for c ompanies that practice both green initiatives and offer green products or services.

Green Award Winner

Orange Tree Golf Resort won in the Green category for installing a solar water heating system, which dramatically reduces natural gas emissions, for use in their on-site laundry and housekeeping area as well as for 20 guest rooms. It is estimated that the resort will decrease their associated natural gas bill by 50 percent and eliminate approximately 100 tons of carbon emissions annually. In six months, the company hopes to expand this green practice to all guest rooms.

Greener Award Winner

The Greener award was given to the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch for its ongoing improvement of green practices. The resort’s most recent sustainable projects include a 12,000-square-foot solar hot water system and the installation of a “cool roof” system. Thus far, the Hyatt has achieved proven results from the solar hot water system of up to a 41 percent reduction of natural gas within a given month. They are now serving as a model for other Hyatt properties.

Greenest Award Winnner

Two leading companies were recognized with the Greenest award – the Desert Botanical Garden and O’Neil Printing. The Desert Botanical Garden implemented a wide array of recycling and waste reduction programs not only to reduce their waste but also to help educate the public and act as a voice in the community. The Garden’s composting of green waste is eliminating around 180 tons of waste from a landfill annually. In addition, they offer numerous programs and classes to the public, an increasing number of which relate to sustainability.

Past Winners - 2008

Hotel Valley Ho won in the Green category for its creation of a recycling program, and other environmentally friendly and energy efficient practices. The hotel started its recycling program in 2006, and is now the largest recycler in downtown Scottsdale, recycling approximately 4,500 pounds of material per week. The Hotel Valley Ho also uses green-certified cleaning products, non-toxic cleaning fluid for dry-cleaning services and dual pane glass windows.

The Orange Tree Golf Resort was recognized as a finalist in this category for its green committee that worked on three main goals: to reduce non-recyclable waste, reduce water usage and implement a recycling program on property.

The Greener award was given to the Fairmont Scottsdale for its ongoing improvement of green practices. The hotel has been committed to improving its impact on the environment for more than 25 years and continues to develop sustainability programs such as its green partnership with AZ BioDiesel. This collaboration allows the Fairmont to save 100,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere by converting its kitchen grease to biodiesel. The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa was named the Greener finalist for its organic foods, spa treatments and retail offerings, as well as its water conservation efforts.

Scottsdatel Convention & Visitors Bureau is Greean

The Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau began its sustainable initiatives in early 2007 to help the tourism community become more eco-friendly. A Sustainability Advisory Committee, educational seminars and a Web site devoted to the eco-friendly efforts of the destination are helping the bureau to make internal changes as well as assist businesses in finding ways to incorporate green practices into their day-to-day operations.