A 2008 ECo-Efficiency Story
2008-08-11 |
Back to Press Releases
Looking to take a relaxing, well-deserved vacation without sacrificing your ever ‘greener’ lifestyle? The Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa, located along the picturesque Bay of Fundy in Digby, Nova Scotia, is standing up and taking notice. The Resort is committed to satisfying your request for a greener vacation in mind.
Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa, has been welcoming guests to this Norman-style Chateau and Maritime Cottages since 1929. With strong local ties, the Resort is “…dedicated to providing a unique and memorable experience to [its] guests, co-workers, owners, and the community; while promoting and encouraging environmentally friendly practices”. The Digby Pines have taken this mission to heart by incorporating good practices into everything they do.
In recent years, Digby Pines has worked closely with the Bay of Fundy Tourism Partnership and through this relationship, has undertaken an energy and environmental review of their property. Following the suggestions from the Eco-Efficiency Centre’s review and ongoing support from their knowledgeable staff, the Digby Pines is working hard to sort their solid waste, promote efficiency and conservation of energy and water, reduce their chemical usage, and raise the environmental awareness of their guests and surrounding community.
To reduce the amount of paper that was sent to landfill, Digby Pines instituted a paperless registration system, confirming reservations by email. All departments, offices, staff areas, and meeting room facilities are equipped with appropriately labeled, waste receptacles. In 2007, an excess of 60,000 lbs (~27,216 kg) of compost was collected by the Resort in a 6-month period. The Resort is also mindful of its purchases and has invested in products such as 100% biodegradable take-out coffee cups for guests.
Energy efficiency and water conservation are also on the Resort’s agenda. Incandescent bulbs are no longer purchased. Digby Pines has purchased $7000 of energy efficient LED, cold cathode and compact fluorescent bulbs for public areas. Bulb replacement in guest rooms is an ongoing project. One-litre water bottles have been placed in each toilet tank in the Main Resort Building and Cottages, contributing to a savings of an estimated 30,000 gallons (~113,560 litres) of waste water. Low flow showheads have also been installed in the Main Resort Building and low flow toilets are installed in renovated areas. Local water resources are made safer by a 30% reduction in pool chemicals achieved through more careful monitoring of the system. Chemical use is further reduced at Digby Pines through reduced landscape spraying. To keep weeds at bay the Resort relies on the natural acidic properties of pine needles to maintain clear walking trails.
Digby Pines commitment to the environment does not end at their property line. The Digby Pines’ Green Team is on the go, participating in beach cleanups and annual events such as the local Scallop Days parade. The team submitted a float just last year to raise awareness on global warming and handed out flyers to proudly highlight the Resort’s ‘green’ efforts. Without a doubt, Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa has realized that conserving and protecting the natural beauty around them, will happily lure visitors back to the area for years to come.
|
|
