Getting Greener
Your Guide to Château Élan's Green and Environmental Initiatives
Mission: For Château Élan to be a part of the world-wide effort in becoming more environmentally efficient and aware by implementing a Green Initiative while maintaining luxury standards and keeping our guest’s comforts our first priority.
Why? Entering our main gate everyday is a constant reminder of how beautiful our surroundings are and supplies us with the motivation to maintain our property. By taking the steps to become more environmentally aware, we hope to also be a good influence on our community and the hospitality industry. This is not just a phase or idea for Château Élan; this is an initiative that everyone is a part of.
What is Château Élan currently doing to become Green?
Towel and linen program:
There are tent cards in each guest room on property stating that guests can hang wet towels to re-use them or leave them in a pile on the floor if they would like them changed. We also change the sheets every three days unless the guest signals otherwise. If the guest does want the sheets switched daily, they simply leave the tent card on the bed.Recycling:
Cardboard recycling – There are two cardboard recycling receptacles on property. One behind the Winery and one at the Inn loading dock. Our cardboard recycling is provided by United Waste who empties the receptacles weekly. Boxes must be broken down and placed through the slit in the receptacles.
Paper recycling – There is a paper recycling receptacle placed behind the Inn to the right of the Engineering parking spaces. SP recycling empties the receptacle monthly.
Plastic and Aluminum recycling - Thanks to the initiative of pro-active Golf staff members, a system of plastic and aluminum recycling is now in place for all cans and bottles used by Golfers and Golf Tournaments.
Recycling efforts in place at Golf Maintenance:
Used tires - All used tires are returned to the vendor for recycling.
Used oil from machinery and vehicles - All used oil is contained and picked up by Universal Environment for recycling. Empty oil drums returned.
Anti freeze - Contained and picked up by Universal Environment for recycling.
Oil filters - Recycled by Universal Environment or Jones Recycling Inc.
Scrap steel - Hauled to Jones Recycling Inc. yearly.
Used fertilizer pallets - B & M pallet company picks up for recycling.
Tree debris - Dead or fallen trees are removed and ground into mulch to be used on foot paths or natural areas throughout the property.
Equestrian Center shavings - Portion recycled by Southern Landscape Supply for compost. Remainder is beneficial for breakdown at landfill.
Recycled water - Provided by the Town of Braselton to use as irrigation water for golf courses.
Water Conservation Devices: We currently have toilet and sink water conserving devices installed in ten guest rooms. If we do not experience any pressure issues, we will install these devices all over property.
Purchasing: Managers are currently switching to more eco-friendly products when ordering. For example, Paul Deboer is in charge of ordering paper for marketing materials, and is gradually switching all paper products ordered over to at least 30% post-consumer recycled.
Eliminating Waste: We are trying to eliminate unwanted and unnecessary magazine and catalog subscriptions. If one of these items comes in the mail, we call the company and politely ask them to quit sending them or if it is something necessary, ask if it can be emailed in digital format.
Who is making sure that Green can happen here at Château Élan?
Ultimately, the entire staff at Château Élan is a part of the Green Committee and each person is required to participate.
* Each employee with email has “digitally save this email to save a tree” in their signature to help save paper.
* Each department within Château Élan is coming up with ways to conserve paper/eliminate waste. If you see anything that can be done more efficiently, please let us know. For example, where ever capable, documents that contain multiple pages are printed front-back to save paper, or margins are adjusted to fit more onto one page.
On-going Research and Goals:
Aluminum, glass, and plastic recycling.
Compact Fluorescent Lighting
Composting
Light sensors for guest rooms
