Targhee has made significant improvements in diverting waste from the landfill through a variety of initiatives. In 2009 the resort …
-reduced its total waste stream by 14.6 tons or 16% from 2008 to 2009.
-increased its diversion rate by 5% for a total diversion rate of 47%!
- saved 16.8 tons of CO2 through reduction and recycling and 8% in fuel costs from reduced trips to the landfill.
-saved approximately $14,600 in landfill disposal fees through its recycling program for a net savings of $2,500 after recycling operation expenses are assessed.
- diverted 47% of its waste stream from the two festivals (6,000+ attendants)
Recycling is a huge part of waste management at the resort. In 2002, Grand Targhee began the most progressive and accessible recycling program in the Teton Valley Area. All departments around the resort continually work to divert more of their waste away from landfills and to the production of new items.
Grand Targhee is able to concentrate waste management efforts at the
two large summer music festivals that take place at the resort. Because food and beverage services are located centrally, the resort is able to provide compostable plates, cutlery, cups and napkins to all vendors while collecting all compostable food waste and trash. Compostable materials collected at the music festivals are sent off to regional composting companies that use the waste to create a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
High Road Biodiesel in the town of Driggs takes waste vegetable oil from the kitchens to make fuel, making for an efficient and valuable form of recycling.
The Grand Targhee staff carries out winter and summer waste audits. This activity allows the resort to pinpoint gaps in waste management efforts in different areas of the resort.
The food and beverage services at the resort encourage everyone to bring reusable mugs for a discount. Bringing a reusable mug is a great way to conserve resources; buying a disposable cup for your coffee every day wastes up to 20 lbs of paper along with the plastic that goes into making the lid.
Forward Thinking . . .
Grand Targhee Resort is is conducting a feasibility study that will look at the possibility of building an on-site composting greenhouse or enclosed composting facility to take food waste from food and beverage services and turn it into super soil for growing vegetables on-site.