Environmental Sustainability

Defining Sustainability

John Muir wrote, “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” We believe in the power of our connection to the environment and in our responsibility to protect and preserve it. At Asilomar State Beach & Conference Grounds, we define sustainability as, "The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Protecting Tomorrow, Preserving Today

At Asilomar Conference Grounds, we have a deep respect for and commitment to the environment. With our unique coastal location on marine-protected waters, we recognize the need to protect this rare environment where we live, work and play. We also understand that sustainability is an ever-evolving practice and is not a destination.

Additional Resources

Read our SUSTAINABILITY BLOG >

Our Environmental Partners

We offer Canned Water for Kids in our stores which is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit providing spring water in aluminum bottles and cans, with the proceeds used to fund clean-drinking-water projects in developing nations while also reducing plastic water bottle usage.

Clean the World: A program where soap and left-over amenities are recycled and reused providing communities in many countries the basic tools for hygiene and the potential to decrease preventable diseases such as typhoid and dysentery.

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The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program helps consumers and businesses choose seafood that's fished or farmed in ways that protect sea life and habitats, now and for future generations. Our recommendations indicate which seafood items are "Best Choices" or "Good Alternatives," and which ones you should "Avoid."

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Zero Landfill. From becoming America's first Zero-Landfill auto maker, with all waste recycled or reused, to our current National Park Zero-Landfill initiative. #DontFeedtheLandfills

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Many of our products offered in the gift shop are made in the USA and we also offer products made from recycled material.

We are committed to environmentally sound practices that protect Asilomar.

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Our Efforts

We welcome feedback on any of our sustainability initiatives at Asilomar State Beach & Conference Grounds, or ideas that any guest may have that we may implement. In addition to the items above, external communications to and from our guests is a key component of our sustainability program.

Awards

We are proud to have received the following recognitions:

Registered National Historic Landmark
ISO 14001: 2015 Environmental Certification
“Gold” level TripAdvisor GreenLeader
Certified Green Business with the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program
“Environmentalist Level” California Green Lodging Certification

Food Sourcing

Increasing procurement of local, seasonal and responsibly sourced products.

Partner with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program and only purchase fish from the green, or occasionally the yellow list.
Purchase fish from local Monterey Bay sustainable fisheries or from Alaska and British Columbia sustainable sources, reducing the number of miles it must travel.
Participate in the State of California’s Healthy Foods Initiative.
Support local producers by attempting to purchase all produce from within a 150-mile radius of Asilomar Conference Grounds.
Source only RBsT hormone free dairy products and cage-free eggs.
Menus use certified organic meats, eggs and dairy whenever possible and when it is cost effective.

Water Conservation
Saving Each Drop
- Providing filtered water in large containers for our conferences and events instead of distributing water bottles.
- Encouraging conference attendees to participate in our Cynergreen partnership, offering stainless steel water bottles for purchase ‘at cost’ with the option of adding meeting specific logos to the bottles.
- Installed 1.6gpm low flow showerheads.
- Offering an ‘opt-out’ linen conservation program.
- Replaced dishwashing equipment with new energy and water efficient machines.
Efficient Operations
- Controlling our energy usage.
- Utilizing occupancy sensors to control power use in office areas.
- All areas have LED lighting
- Turning off meeting room lights, HVAC, and power when the room is not in use.
Minimizing Waste
Asilomar was the first commercial compost waste customer to use our regional recycling and composting facility in the Monterey area.
- Not purchasing Styrofoam for food and beverage containers.
- Only purchasing food and beverage disposable containers that meet ASTM D6400 standards for compostability.
- Working with suppliers to minimize all shipping packaging where possible and to utilize bulk containers when feasible.
- Providing collection containers and bins for guests to place compostables and recyclables in.
Transportation and Fuel
Reduce emissions and decrease fuel consumption.

Supporting local producers through attempting to purchase all produce from within a 150-mile radius of Asilomar Conference Grounds. Providing public EV (Electric Vehicle) charging stations on site.