Green by Design Awards Celebrates Eco-Friendly Business Practices

11/03/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Green by Design Awards Celebrates Eco-Friendly Business Practices
Local companies acknowledged by the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau for their dedication to green practices

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Nov. 3, 2009) - The Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau revealed the winners of the Green by Design Awards at its Quarterly Update Meeting on Nov. 3 as part of its sustainability initiatives. Orange Tree Golf Resort, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, Desert Botanical Garden and O'Neil Printing were recognized for exhibiting outstanding sustainability practices.

The Scottsdale bureau acknowledged participants in three categories: Green, Greener and Greenest. The Green category recognizes businesses that created green projects, programs or campaigns; while the Greener designation is awarded for improvements on pre-existing efforts. The Greenest category is for companies that practice both green initiatives and offer green products or services.

GREEN AWARD WINNER
Orange Tree Golf Resort won in the Green category for installing a solar water heating system, which dramatically reduces natural gas emissions, for use in their on-site laundry and housekeeping area as well as for 20 guest rooms. It is estimated that the resort will decrease their associated natural gas bill by 50 percent and eliminate approximately 100 tons of carbon emissions annually. In six months, the company hopes to expand this green practice to all guest rooms.

GREENER AWARD WINNER
The Greener award was given to the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch for its ongoing improvement of green practices. The resort's most recent sustainable projects include a 12,000-square-foot solar hot water system and the installation of a "cool roof" system. Thus far, the Hyatt has achieved proven results from the solar hot water system of up to a 41 percent reduction of natural gas within a given month. They are now serving as a model for other Hyatt properties.

GREENEST AWARD WINNERS
Two leading companies were recognized with the Greenest award - the Desert Botanical Garden and O'Neil Printing. The Desert Botanical Garden implemented a wide array of recycling and waste reduction programs not only to reduce their waste but also to help educate the public and act as a voice in the community. The Garden's composting of green waste is eliminating around 180 tons of waste from a landfill annually. In addition, they offer numerous programs and classes to the public, an increasing number of which relate to sustainability.

O'Neil Printing strives to maintain an eco-friendly environment within the workplace and helps clients decrease their carbon footprint by providing eco-sustainable products and coaching clients toward greener options. According to an O'Neil recycling partner, in the second quarter of 2009 alone, O'Neil's recycling program saved 2,157 trees, nearly 900 thousand gallons of water, almost 50 thousand gallons of fuel, over one-half million kilowatt hours of electricity and almost 400 cubic yards of landfill space.

"The Scottsdale bureau is proud to recognize these companies working to preserve our environment," said Vice President of Marketing Lauren Simons. "The Green by Design Award winners have shown their dedication to enriching our community and protecting our future."                             

A total of 14 companies submitted for the Green by Design Awards, including: Bio Waste Systems for Food Waste Separation and Collection, Dixon Golf, Enterprise Technology Services, Grayhawk Golf Club, i-o Data Centers, John's Refrigeration, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa, PlanetEarthPromotions.com, Thunderbird Artists and Symfonic Marketing.

Editor's Note: If you would like photos of the winners, please contact Communications Assistant Melissa Matthews at mmatthews@scottsdalecvb.com or 480-429-2254.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachel Pearson, ABC, Director of Corporate Communications
Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
Phone: 480-429-2259, Fax: 480-421-9733
E-mail: rpearson@scottsdalecvb.com  
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