Our Initiatives

At the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa we recognize that our activities impact the environment. Since opening in 2005 we have actively been conducting an environmental work program to minimize the environmental footprint of our business. Our objectives include the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the minimization of energy consumption and the conservation of natural resources while maintaining the comfort and service for our guests.

Outlined below are some of the initiatives the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa is committed to, many of which encourage our guests to actively participate in lessening the impact of our hotel on the environment to ensure a sustainable future. In 2008, our goal is to reduce our energy and water consumption by 5%.

  • All new team members receive environmental training through “eco-learning” sessions
  • ‘The Green Team’, an environmental committee made up of individuals representing each department in the hotel, has been assembled to pursue new ideas on ways to improve our efforts
  • By asking guests when they would like their sheets and towels changed, the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa saves over 12 million gallons of fresh water while reducing waste water and the use of chemicals and energy resources
  • All cleaning, dishwashing and laundry detergents are being replaced by eco-friendly products.
  • All of our toilets are economy flush units and our showerheads have economy fittings
  • We are in the process of replacing all of our incandescent bulbs with energy efficient blubs. Additionally, the installation of sensor lighting is included in our retrofit program for guestrooms.
  • All lighting, computers and other electrical equipment in the administrative departments are turned off at night
  • We continue to work with suppliers and the Environmental Protection Agency, through its EnergyStar® program, to identify and implement further ways to reduce energy/natural resource usage
  • Whenever possible, articles of consumption are purchased in bulk to cut down on both packaging and transportation i.e. Ketchup, salsa, salad dressing, etc.
  • All take-out packaging has been replaced with biodegradable sugar cane containers
  • Travel coffee mugs have been purchased for all team members to be used in place of disposable paper cups; Cloth shopping bags have been given to all the team members to encourage them to be used in place of using plastic bags.

Working at all levels of the business, from guests to suppliers to employees; we will endeavor to progressively reduce our impact on the environment. The Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa has adopted a long-term approach to ensure a continuous commitment to the environment and its preservation.

Our Successes

The Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa is a member of the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Key Eco-Rating Program. The aim of the program is to make a positive environmental impact through reduced resource consumption, recycling and employee training. Recently the hotel was awarded four out of five green keys.

Team members at Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa also play a role by participating in various communities outreach project. Previously, we were the proud recipients of the 5th annual Whistler Commuter Challenge Award, for team members using alternate methods of transportation.

The hospitality industry generates large quantities of waste and thus has the potential to dramatically reduce the amount contributed to our landfills. Proof of the commitment is shown by the fact that the Hilton Corporation was the first company in our industry to receive the EnergyStar® award from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. “Through the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa’s combined efforts in reducing the waste stream to landfills and minimizing the energy usage in transporting and processing products, we can all make a substantial and favorable impact on our environment,” say Jennifer Morrison, Public Relations and Communications Manager as well as Green Team Member. The Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa would like to help the Resort Municipality of Whistler reach its goal of being completely sustainable by 2020.

What You Can Do

We have set up an email address and welcome your ideas and suggestions: greenteam@hiltonwhistler.com. We promise to take them into consideration when making decisions about our environmental practices.