Here are some examples of the quiet revolution going on in Whistler as organizations move toward sustainability.
Tourism Whistler:
• Operates a daily staff van pool from both Squamish and Pemberton.
• Has created the TW member extranet (membernet.tourismwhistler.com) to post all member relevant information, and distribute information by e-mail, to eliminate paper distribution to membership.
•1-800-WHISTLER Central reservations confirmations are now done by e-mail instead of mail.
• In 2002, Tourism Whistler reduced collateral quantities by an average of 37 per cent over 2001, maintained an average of 20 per cent post-consumer content in all printed collateral and used only vegetable based inks for printing.
• Image CDs and online image library have been developed so that clients (media, tour operators, members etc) use electronic images instead of hard copy slides, which saves on couriers (transportation, fuel, etc) and slide materials.
• The Whistler Conference Centre has been registered with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System. A LEED is a leading industry designation managed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
• 92 per cent of materials in the "deconstruction" phase of the conference centre were diverted from landfill.
• 1,752 tons of concrete were removed and send to Twin Rivers Gravel to be re-used for fill.
• 32 tons of reinforcing steel was removed from the concrete and send to ABC Metal Recycling.
• 4.5 tons of carpet was removed and recycled.
The municipal strategies include:
• Use of New Life DP 100 paper at all municipal facilities. The New Life Dual Purpose 100 paper contains 80 per cent post-consumer recycled content, is 100 per cent process chlorine-free (certified by the Chlorine Free Product Association), and 100 per cent Canadian-made. The 20 per cent virgin fibre content is totally chlorine-free and certified old-growth free .
• Introduction of the initial phase of water conservation strategy including low flow toilets at all municipal facilities, and a bylaw for low flow plumbing fixtures is on the way.
• Eco-friendly landscaping practices (naturescaping for less water and less maintenance, pesticide-free parks, composting, testing push mowers). Bikes (including electric bikes) and carts are used for parks maintenance where practical.
• Wetland and stream protection and rehabilitation. (Whistler Fisheries Stewardship Group), including educational initiatives (wetlands, interpretive forest, native/near native landscaping tips/info).
• Public Works Yard reuse/recycling significant amounts of oil, metal, wire, paint, wood, batteries.
• Whistler Housing Authority resident housing initiatives – meeting housing needs for residents – often through design and administration innovations (e.g. non-cost housing initiatives, geothermal energy use, energy efficient design and use of limited space and other WHA initiatives).
• First Nations outreach, including transit to Mt. Currie, First Nations trail crew, proposed First Nations Friendship Centre and other partnership initiatives.
• Bear-proof garbage and recycling bins (including new multi-lingual signage).
• Proposed LEED Silver or Gold Certification for Spring Creek Fire Hall.
• Annual sustainability education for all municipal staff (85-90 per cent of staff have completed training). This leads to more innovative projects, from large to small scale.
