2009 Press Releases
CASCADIA HOTEL & SUITES IS THE FIRST ZERO WASTE HOTEL IN CANADA
VANCOUVER, BC (September 22, 2009) – Cascadia Hotel & Suites has become the first hotel in Canada to be a 100% Zero Waste property. By participating in the new program, an initiative by WasteLess Environmental, the hotel has successfully eliminated all waste going to landfills and has become an industry leader in eco- accommodation.
The program began in May 2009 though a proactive partnership with WasteLess Environmental Services. Colour-coded service containers were implemented throughout the hotel to make it easy for hotel guests and employees to recycle a variety of materials. The mixed container recycling is for commonly recycled materials such as beverage containers, metal cans, bottles, office paper, newspaper etc. The organic recycling containers are found in the kitchen, lunchrooms and washrooms and are for food waste and paper products. The third is called alternative recovery. This is for non recyclable materials that are redirected to a Waste to Energy facility that converts garbage into steam and electricity. Other materials such as electronics, batteries, paint and old equipment are collected on an as needed basis and recycled.
Cascadia Hotel & Suites general manager, Dan McIlhone, is thrilled with the results so far. “The feedback from hotel guests has been very positive and the employees are also excited and amazed by the volume of recyclable and organic material the hotel produces.”
Dave Roberts, business development manager for WasteLess Environmental BC Team, applauds SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts, as well as Cascadia Hotel & Suites, for a lead role in this innovative Zero Waste Recycling initiative. “I look forward to the continued success and growth of this program and others to follow,” says Roberts.
The objective of the program was to completely eliminate any garbage services from the hotel and they have achieved this goal. Cascadia Hotel & Suites is currently the only hotel in Canada that is diverting 100% of their waste from landfills. The hotel is also a member of the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Key Eco-Accommodation rating and has a four green key status.
About Cascadia Hotel & Suites:
The Cascadia Hotel & Suites is managed by SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts, one of Canada’s leading hotel
management companies. The hotel is known for their friendly service, spacious guestrooms, exceptional
hotel amenities and central downtown location. Hotel amenities include an indoor swimming pool, fitness
centre, Air Canada and West Jet check in kiosk, business services, laundry facilities and onsite
restaurant, MiBistro & Bar. Conference facilities are also available with 3,500 square feet of meeting
space.
Contact:
Kate Rogers
The Tartan Group
Tel: (604) 682.8811
kate@tartangroup.ca
Dan McIlhone
Cascadia Hotel & Suites
Tel: (604) 601-5263
dmcilhone@silverbirchhotels.com