Solid Waste
Waste generated by park concessions includes everything from packaging and food refuse to scrap metal and mercury switches. Solid waste is generated not only by Xanterra and its employees, but also by the guests the company serves.
Effective management of this waste requires a comprehensive program of awareness, education, action, and commitment to continual improvement. Reducing waste by not generating it in the first place is the primary goal of Xanterra’s waste management program.
The company goes one step further by integrating the concept of “rethink” into waste management. This not only means, as renowned sustainability guru William McDonough suggests, “dematerializing”—using products with less material in them—to reduce waste generation, but also using “ecologically intelligent” materials. These are either “biological nutrients” (biodegradable elements that degrade safely back into the earth’s biosphere) or “technical nutrients” (materials that are returned to the industrial processes from which they are derived).
Total Solid Waste Generation and Recycling/Diversion
Waste generation declined 17.5 percent, and recycling and diversion increased 129 percent in the last five years. In 2004, Xanterra diverted and recycled 4.28 million pounds of aluminum, glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, tires, scrap metal, and even manure (from equestrian operations). Xanterra also composted more than 80,000 pounds of food waste at the Grand Canyon and Zion. With the new $4 million regional compost facility in West Yellowstone, Xanterra composted more than 750,000 pounds of degradable waste in Yellowstone National Park. Changes in data from Xanterra’s 2003 Sustain- ability Report are attributed to improved tracking methodologies.
The company’s most significant solid waste trends include: a 241 percent increase in waste diverted per room night (attributed to increased in-room recycling and guest awareness); and a 229 percent increase in diversion rates. At the Grand Canyon South Rim, solid waste generation continues to decrease. In 2004, the amount was 32 percent less than in 2000 (adjusted for visitation). Total recycling has doubled since 2000. One item added in 2004 was six tons of computer equipment and electronics that were recycled. Recycling rates for all Grand Canyon South Rim operations are estimated at 39 percent rate of diversion from landfill.
“There is a rising tide of environmental awareness. Smart companies will get ahead of the wave. Those that don’t will be wiped out.” William Ford, Chairman & CEO, Ford Motor Company
Remote Composting |
Zion Lodge composts all of its food wastes, lawn clippings, and shredded paper. The composting technology chosen was the Green Mountain Technologies Earth Tub. The Earth Tub is designed specifically for on-site composting of food wastes. It is a fully enclosed composting vessel featuring power mixing, compost aeration, and the biofiltration of all process air (to keep odors down). Zion’s two Earth Tubs process more than 200 pounds of kitchen food waste per day. Waste diverted from the landfill is estimated at 55,000 pounds per year. Zion Lodge now exceeds the Department of Interior’s goal of a 45 percent diversion rate from landfills. Mount Rushmore began using an Earth Tub in 2005. The remote Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon continues to compost on site more than 25,000 pounds of biodegradable waste annually. |
Reducing Impacts Associated with Paper
What ever happened to the proverbial paperless office? Well, it proved impractical in many settings. While Xanterra is far from “paperless”, it analyzes the many environmental impacts associated with paper production, including determining:
- Where the trees are sourced—whether from a sustainably harvested forest or, unacceptably, tropical rainforest
- Whether the production is process chlorine-free, elemental chlorine-free, totally chlorine-free or bleach-free
- How much of the paper is post-consumer content versus internally recycled content
Using the most environmentally benign paper is a moving target because the paper manufacturing industry is ever-evolving. Working with the New Leaf Paper Company guarantees that Xanterra keeps abreast of the latest and best solutions. Company wide, Xanterra expanded its use of environmentally preferable paper products by switching all marketing and collateral materials to a minimum 100 percent recycled, 50 percent post-consumer New Leaf paper. In the manufacturing process, this paper is chlorine-free, significantly reducing the amount of pollution (primarily highly toxic dioxins) emitted at the mill. New Leaf paper also works with Xanterra to perform eco-audits that calculate annual environmental benefits based upon Xanterra’s yearly paper consumption.
Beginning in 2003 at Yellowstone and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, all copy paper has been 100 percent post-consumer content.
The company strives to utilize electronic alternatives to paper where feasible. For example, Xanterra used to print more than 15,000 copies of its corporate newsletters per year. By going digital as a company policy—wasting only electrons—Xanterra reduced newsletter printing to 2,000 copies, an 85 percent reduction annually.
Reducing Waste by Not Creating It
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Several Xanterra locations recently removed all bottled beer from dining rooms and converted completely to a tap pour system. The benefits have been enormous. Customers enjoy the product more, and the company’s Zion operation alone has prevented 10,000 pounds of glass bottles per year from entering the waste stream. Xanterra gift shops reuse cardboard boxes and packing materials whenever possible for mail orders and deliveries. Styrofoam packing popcorn has been replaced with shredded paper. Laundry bins are constructed of post-consumer plastic products. Worn terry cloth is reused as cleaning towels. Bulk liquid soap dispensers are used in campground restrooms and in many guest rooms. All Styrofoam drinking cups—even those made with non-CFC Styrofoam—have been replaced with more environmentally-sensitive paper products. Sysco Earth Plus® toilet tissue, towels and facial tissue, used in many guest rooms, campgrounds and RV parks, are made of 100 percent post-consumer content and are unbleached and chlorine free. |
What’s Next: On-site Grease Recycling
Xanterra will close the loop on another of its Yellowstone waste streams in 2006 with the purchase of a grease recycler. In an average year, the company generates more than 11,000 gallons of used cooking oil from its restaurant operations throughout Yellowstone. With an on-site grease recycler, Xanterra will convert this waste product to biodiesel. The biodiesel will be utilized as fuel for Xanterra fleet vehicles and boilers, offsetting the purchase of 11,000 gallons of petroleum diesel. Glycerin, the other byproduct of grease recycling, will be sold to a vendor for use in facial products.“Deep Green” Case Study:
Mount Rushmore Reuse Program
At Xanterra’s Mount Rushmore operation, waste reuse and reduction are institutionalized, both through the company’s supplier take-back program and waste reuse program. Reuse of materials there includes:
- 100 percent of all packaging peanuts
- 100 percent of all bubble wrap
- 20 percent of all cardboard boxes (that is all that can possibly be reused in operations; 100 percent of all other cardboard is and will continue to be recycled)
- 100 percent of all office paper
- 100 percent of all outdated maintenance and mechanical equipment (donated to external organizations or recycled) Results of this level of commitment in reuse have been significant. Xanterra’s diversion rate at Mount Rushmore is 31.1 percent. It includes:
- 49,920 pounds of recycled cardboard
- 15,000 pounds of shredded paper (donated to the local humane society)
- 17,390 pounds of glass, aluminum, tin, and plastic containers
- 532 pounds of boxes (reused internally)
- 102 pounds of packaging peanuts (reused internally)
- 178 pounds of bubble wrap (reused internally)
