More and more companies and individuals are working on SDGs and sustainability in response to climate change issues. For people who play or work outdoors, maintaining the natural environment is a major issue that is directly linked to the happiness of life. In order to protect their beloved fields, Vail Resort in Colorado, USA, has implemented sustainability initiatives with a surprising scale and passion, and has achieved great success. What's going on with Vail? Let's get to the bottom of it.
Vail Resort's presence
Vail Resort is located in the beautiful wilderness of the mountainous area of Colorado, USA, where you can enjoy various outdoor sports throughout the year. Among the world's number of star resorts, its quality is ranked at the highest level, and it has won the prize of the "World Ski Awards", the most prestigious in the world's ski tourism industry, many times. is.
Admired by skiers from all over the world, Vail is said to be the birthplace of ski culture, and is an opinion leader in snow resorts around the world. The group owns 41 resorts in North America. In that sense, it is no exaggeration to say that resorts around the world are always paying attention to Vail's actions and messages, and that they are setting a good example for their success.
road to zero
In 2017, Vail Resort set three goals for environmental protection under its "Commitment to 'Zero'".
These efforts to zero are listed as a solid guideline called "Epic Promise" (Epic Promise). This Epic Promise is being carried out not only as a company, but also with unthinkable passion and strong commitment of each employee and all staff involved in resort management.
1. “Zero CO2 emissions by 2030 ”
2. “Zero landfill by 2030”
3. “Zero impact on forests and wildlife habitats”
Imagine how daunting these three goals are. CO 2 emissions” is a goal set by society and companies in the current SDGs movement, and you will hear it often in Japan. However, in a sense, it is an insane sense of scale to set a goal of “zero landfill” or “zero impact on forests and wildlife habitats” seriously.
But Vail Resort is sane and serious about achieving these outrageous goals. 2 by 2030" , Vail Resort is actually implementing such efforts.
We have already reduced our electricity and natural gas usage by reviewing our resort operations and investing in innovative energy-saving projects such as energy-saving snow machines, environmentally friendly buildings, and energy-efficient snow groomers. 19% plus a further 15% reduction
Purchasing 100% renewable energy
Investing in programs such as tree planting to offset the CO2 emissions associated with the use of energies such as gasoline and diesel
It can be said that there is no resort like this anywhere in the world. In particular, the tree planting program may be a symbol of Vail Resort's commitment to the environment.
Local energy and CO2 emissions
Vail Resort invests in lighting, refrigeration technology and snowmaking technology to reduce the environmental impact of CO2 emissions . Recent investments in snowmaking technology include a $500,000 snow compactor that can save as much as 1.2 million kWh * of electricity annually, and Golden Peak, a resort operated by Vail Resort. It includes the automation of snow making at Simbaran and the newly installed artificial snow machine.
* 1 kWh is a unit that indicates the amount of electricity used, and the amount of electricity (electric energy) used when 1 kW (1,000 W) of electricity is used for one hour.
In addition, facilities in areas such as Game Creek, Midvale, and Golden Peak have introduced LED lighting with high energy conversion efficiency in cooperation with Holy Cross Energy, a local power company.
In addition, in partnership with a local refrigeration technology company, the on-piste restaurant installed seven outdoor refrigeration units. These systems help reduce the power consumption of things like walk-in refrigerators (giant prefabricated refrigerators that you can walk into) by up to 97%, reducing the amount of electricity you need. In addition, Vail Resort is working with another Colorado company, Fridgewise, to further reduce power consumption by replacing cooling fans and motors in walk-in refrigerators.
More surprisingly, Vail Resort also has two solar power facilities on the ski slopes. These installations have generated over 70,000 kWh of electricity and prevented over 120,000 pounds of CO 2 emissions.
Zero landfill by 2030
To achieve this goal, we aim to use 100% of the waste generated by our operations in more sustainable ways. That's why we're working hard on these things.
● Improve recycling and composting programs
● Work with suppliers to reduce packaging and purchase products that can be recycled or composted
● Reuse through collaboration with local communities and disposal methods other than landfill
Improving the awareness of employees and guests through labels, displays, in-house training, etc.
Full-time staff dedicated to waste operations
Vail Resort will operate four dedicated waste fertilizers during the winter to achieve its goal of “zero waste by 2030 through recycling, composting and diversion of waste from landfills”. We have a position that works on time.
This is also a novel approach that is rarely seen at resorts. This waste diversion team will provide 150 tons of cardboard, 90 tons of scrap metal, 14 tons of compost, 250 tons of non-compound waste and 7000 tons of waste for reuse by various suppliers and carriers. He says he's responsible for shipping gallons of vegetable oil and truckloads of recyclable materials. Considering that one light truck weighs 2 tons, you will be surprised at the amount of difference.
And the team goes all the way from the lift ticket window to the top of the mountain, always on the lookout for everything from lift tickets and granola bar wrappers to office memory cards and even coffee beans. It's surprising that they are looking for creative ways to recycle.
Composting is a matter of course. Ideas for reducing heavy metal waste
Composting stations are located in Vail Resort's Midvale and behind many of the resort's eateries. Composting is the process of using microorganisms to ferment and decompose organic matter such as food waste and fallen leaves to make compost. It is being done as part of the process, and the facility for composting has been in operation since 2018.
This unique method is also used. Once every two years, the resort provides employees with electronic equipment that they no longer need free of charge. This prevents heavy metals from ending up in landfills and reduces CO 2 emissions by eliminating the need to transport waste. It is said that it has succeeded in reducing waste by more than 5000 pounds (about 2300 kg) each time.
Zero impact on forests and wildlife habitats
Vail Resort is committed to these things in order to preserve the natural environment that is essential for resort operations.
● Minimize the environmental impact of resort development ● Plant
trees to replace forests lost in the process of development and operation
● Continue and expand support and cooperation with organizations that protect local forests and wildlife do
As an example of what each individual can do for commitment, every fall we set up a week where the entire group participates in community volunteer work. For example, in mid-September, about 300 employees are volunteering at businesses around Vail and Beaver Creek.
There is also an Epic Volunteer Employee Program, which allows employees to take paid time off to participate in 40 hours of volunteer work per year. You can use this time to participate in any volunteer project around the world. Many of our employees choose to work locally, but some have gone to other parts of the world, including Nepal, Mexico, Patagonia, and the Dominican Republic.
I asked local John Plack
"If the goal is so big that we don't know how to achieve it, it's not big enough to solve the environmental problem."
Communications Manager at Vail Resort John Plack
I also asked John Plack, Communications Manager at Vail Resort, for more information.
―How did you set your current sustainability goals?
John: Our current Commitment to Zero was announced in 2017. Kate Wilson, Senior Sustainability Director (Chief Executive Officer of Sustainability Measures), takes the approach that ``If the goal is so big that you don't know how to achieve it, it can't be said to be big enough to solve environmental problems.'' I got tired.
As a wilderness-based company, we have a duty to protect the wonderful environments in which we live, work and play. CO2 by 2030, we have made significant progress towards achieving it. Vail Resorts currently owns and operates 41 resorts, so Commitment to Zero is an opportunity for one resort company to make a significant contribution to environmental conservation.
- What are the results of your efforts so far? How do employees perceive
John: All of our employees are deeply involved in sustainability efforts. We've had great success with all our resorts, including here at Vail Mountain. We haven't finalized our next progress report yet, but as of last year, we were able to source 85% of our electricity from renewable energy at our 34 resorts in North America.
You can see last year's progress report at this link ( http://epicpromise.com/media/2275/epic-promise-progress-report-2021_final-1.pdf
At Vail Mountain, we are particularly proud of our achievements in snowmaking efficiency. The newly installed snow guns (SMI's Super PoleCat and HKD's Phazer tower-type snow machine) are customized for installation locations in Vail Mountain and boast the highest energy efficiency in the industry.
This reduces the energy used to make snow on the Vail by 85%. This is equivalent to the energy required by 73 ordinary American households, and the amount of CO2 emissions that can be reduced is equivalent to that of 126 standard-sized cars. As for the water used to make snow, 75% goes unused and returns to the nearby watershed.
- What are you having trouble with your current efforts?
John: I have resorts in 15 states in the US, some of which are above 10,000 feet in elevation. think. Towards this goal, we prioritize zero waste in the first place to reduce waste sorting, transportation and disposal.
We work with our partners and suppliers to reduce and divert as much waste as possible, and keep what we can't reduce out of landfills through reuse, composting and recycling. All resorts, including Vail Mountain, strive to solve environmental problems in unique and innovative ways, and we believe that collaboration between resorts (sharing solutions and discoveries) is the key to solving them.
So we are very close to our goal! For example, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to temporarily switch to disposable products for the safety of our guests and employees. As a result, 483 tons of garbage were reduced compared to the previous season. We couldn't have made it this far without our guests and our amazing team.
―How did you come up with the position of Environmental Lead? What does this job do?
John: Our company knows that sustainability goals are not something that can be achieved in isolation, so new roles have been created within the company and resorts such as Environmental Leaders to make this initiative concrete. is. From setting goals and tracking progress, to implementing plans and driving innovation, these roles are responsible for ensuring that all resorts are making progress towards achieving their sustainability goals.
At Vail Mountain, he is an integral part of the new introduction of energy efficiency programs and the development of waste diversion technologies. Environmental leaders, for example, oversee how trash is sorted by hand on the mountain and transported to an underground recycling center by a unique gondola system unique to Vale in the world. The recycling center is committed to proper waste sorting through a network of partner organizations that upcycle and divert more waste each year.
―How do employees personally address environmental issues?
John: Our employees are very passionate about the environment. We all love the outdoors and this beautiful mountain environment. From picking up trash in the mountains to sorting trash at work, we are committed to realizing our sustainability goals.
―How do you raise awareness of environmental issues among your guests?
John: We use all kinds of communication tools, such as SNS, blogs, and publication of progress reports, to invite guests. Also, like the National Forest Foundation's Skier Conservation Fund, we've introduced systems that allow people to donate to forest conservation organizations when they purchase goods and services.
But it's worth mentioning that there aren't many trash cans in places where people eat. As much as possible, I want you to hand the garbage to the staff so that they can see you separating it. People often ask me, "Where's the trash can?", and receiving the trash directly from guests is part of the service, but it's also an opportunity to actually see our sustainability efforts.
―Do you hand over the garbage to the staff? Is receiving garbage part of the service?
John: Yes. It would be nice if our seriousness was seen and conveyed even a little. A goal so big that you don't know how to achieve it can't be achieved without everyone's strength and thoughts.
Tag with guests and locals
Vail Resort is not only involved in its own resorts, but also in partnership with Vail towns and regions to carry out various large-scale activities. For example, every year we donate more than 8.6 million dollars (approximately 1.245 billion dollars at 1$ ≒ 140 yen) to more than 250 NPO partners who focus on environmental conservation in mountainous areas around the world.
Guests who visit Vail Resort are also willing to cooperate with these efforts. As of 2016, donations to voluntary forest conservation organizations when guests purchase goods and services within the resort exceeded $1 million annually (approximately $140 million at $1 = ¥140). This is what makes Vail Resort so great. By supporting Vail Resort, the guests have a high awareness that they are also playing a part in environmental protection activities. We are proud to be guests of Vail Resort.
Even in Japan's ski resorts, you'll likely see donation boxes next to tables and cash registers at slope restaurants. However, I don't think there are many people who put 10,000 bills there. Bringing this extraordinary level of awareness to guests is undoubtedly the result of Vail Resort's passionate commitment to sustainability. If the management side is the best, the visitor side is also the best, and the resort is the top of the world both in name and reality, that is the reality of Vail Resort.
"We are committed to protecting the wonderful environment in which we live, work, and play."
When thinking about how resorts should be in the carbon-neutral era and how individuals should be, I think there is a lot to learn from Vail Resort.
Photo provided & coverage cooperation: Vail Resort
Interview & Translation by Suisei Nakagawa