Sustainability

Sustainability

Is the key to maintaining a healthy, thriving environment for generations to come

Sustainable Tourism

At the Elk Refuge Inn, we believe in leaving a legacy of sustainability. We are passionate about providing top-notch customer service and quality accommodation while working hard to ensure our delicate ecosystem is preserved for generations to come. Our management team works closely with The Riverwind Foundation on initiatives that improve our performance—from financial and social practices down to environmental conservation efforts; each aspect of operation has rigorous procedures put into place, so no detail goes overlooked!


The Elk Refuge Inn is passionate about providing a hospitality experience that goes beyond expectations. We are deeply committed to making a positive impact in our community, environment, and with each of our guests - which has not gone unnoticed! We've earned the title of Jackson Hole's first BEST certified business, awarded RRR Business Leader status, AND joined forces with the Sustainable Tourism movement. As proud members of these initiatives, we are pleased to drive positive change through daily sustainable practices at The Elk Refuge Inn.


Our company strives to create a more sustainable future for the world. We love sharing stories of action and education with all involved to garner participation from both employees and guests alike. As stewards of this earth, your feedback is highly valued as part of our journey toward positive change!


By committing to sustainable tourism, we've outlined. Specific goals and policies that will help create a positive impact! Our approach aims to reduce our environmental footprint while strengthening local economies in meaningful ways - creating an awe-inspiring experience for our visitors when they visit our community:


Minimizing our waste production and reusing materials wherever possible by:

  • Ensuring our landscaping company composts all organic landscape waste
  • Recycling all glass, plastic, cardboard, and paper produced by the business and encouraging our guests to use the recycling bins provided throughout the property through signage in guest rooms and dialogue in guest welcome books.
  • Evaluating all new processes to ensure minimal waste production.
  • Repurposing items wherever possible

 

Maintaining a minimal level of carbon emissions and maximizing efficiency wherever possible by:

  • Replacing lighting energy efficient LED lighting throughout the property where possible as part of an already existing initiative
  • Installing and replacing appliances with Energy Star Certified ones at end of life
  • Utilizing new technologies to reduce energy consumption
  • Benchmarking and monitoring energy usage on a monthly basis
  • Encouraging guests to turn off/down heating and cooling, turn of lights, televisions and other electronic devices when guest rooms are not occupied through signage and dialogue in guest welcome books
  • Committing to purchase 10% Green Energy based on previous years average monthly usage
  • Making it standard procedure to turn off equipment and lighting when not in use.
  • Using timers on exterior lighting to coincide with hours of darkness.

 

Conserving water and ensuring our operation causes no contamination in the environment by:

  • Installing and replacing toilets with dual flush water saving toilets at the end of life
  • Working with cleaning products that are manufactured without using persistent or bioaccumulative materials and are designed to minimize water and energy use.
  • Benchmarking and monitoring water usage on a monthly basis
  • Giving guests an option to have their towels, bedding etc. laundered as required.
  • Ensuring all new products or materials used around the hotel are, where ever possible, natural based and not artificial so that the impact of their use is minimal or non-existent.
  • Using stored rainwater to water outdoor planters
  • Only purchasing and offering guest amenities that contain no parabens, dyes or synthetics and fair trade


As a business we continue to monitor and improve our sustainability with these operational policies:

  • Sourcing consumable paper products with recycled paper content
  • Employing persons living in the local area wherever possible.
  • Giving preference to products and services of local origin wherever possible.
  • Providing our employees with the training and resources required to meet our sustainability objectives.
  • Supporting local community groups and environmental conservation efforts.
  • Openly communicating our sustainability policies and practices to guests, interested parties, employees and the community.
  • Strive to purchase only products that are sustainably produced
  • Minimizing the risk of emergency situations by following a maintenance program
  • Constantly reviewing our operations to ensure that best practice is maintained in all aspects of the business at all times.
  • Promote eco-tourism awareness within our national parks and forests
  • Working with others in the tourism industry to achieve wider environmental awareness and stronger sustainability efforts.
  • Working with community planning groups.


We strive to offer our guest sustainable products that have meaningful and lasting positive impacts on our world!

Who gives a crap



Bamboo paper products

Green Power

Committed to low impact electricity


Great Nothern Coffee

Local roaster focused on sustainability



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