Contact: Lauren McDonell, Environmental Initiatives Program Manager, 970-429-1831

ASPEN, COLO. (May 19, 2011) – The City of Aspen ZGreen Program is proud to announce that ten of the Aspen Skiing Company’s properties are now certified as ZGreen businesses. The Aspen ZGreen Business program certifies and recognizes those businesses that are committed to creating a healthy environment by reducing their energy use, waste, air pollution, and water consumption. The Aspen Skiing Company has made committed efforts towards making their facilities more resource efficient and involving their employees and customers in environmental stewardship practices.

ZGreen-certified Ski Co properties include:

Aspen Mountain base operations

Bumps

Buttermilk base operations

Cliffhouse

Highlands base operations

Limelight (received Summit certification)

Little Nell

Ski Co Offices at the Aspen Business Center

Sundeck

 “Customers really want to know which businesses are working to protect Aspen’s environment,” said Lauren McDonell, Environmental Initiatives Program Manager with the city, “ZGreen certification provides an independent third-party seal of approval that tells locals and visitors which Aspen businesses are truly green.”

“ZGreen certification for these buildings, plus others already certified (The Little Nell and 117 AABC), is a testament to the commitment of all Aspen Skiing Company employees to do their jobs in ways that do less harm. Whether it’s a pilot composting program at Bumps, use of waste oil heaters in our vehicle shops or using soy based wax in our tuning shop, it’s our employees who lead these efforts. ZGreen certification recognizes these efforts and those of our 3800+ employees on a daily basis,” said Matthew Hamilton, Sustainability Manager for the Aspen Skiing Company. 

Services Offered by the ZGreen Program:

• Assistance with business energy and carbon footprint analysis.
• Access to a local network of green businesses.
• Free marketing.
• Waste analysis and assistance, cost-saving measures, and staff training.
• Updates on funding opportunities and available incentives.
• Staff training to promote employee buy-in (English and Spanish).

The City’s ZGreen Program has 26 certified businesses in Aspen and recently published a Progress Report, available here http://www.aspenpitkin.com/Portals/0/docs/City/GreenInitiatives/ZGreen/GI_ZGreen_ProgressReportWeb.pdf. To find a list of local ZGreen businesses or learn more about the ZGreen Program, visit www.aspenzgreen.com.

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