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Expansive coastal landscape at sunset with lush green bushes Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds - Pacific Grove California
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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."

Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds Pacific Grove California - Protecting Tomorrow Preserving Today

Protecting Tomorrow, Preserving Today

With deep respect for the beauty and environment of the largest man-made lake in North America, we continuously evolve our practices to protect this rare and stunning ecosystem, ensuring it remains vibrant for years to come. We strive to meet the needs of today without compromising future generations. Sustainability isn’t a destination—it’s an ongoing journey we’re proud to navigate.

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Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds Pacific Grove California - Our Environmental Partners small
Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds Pacific Grove California - Our Environmental Partners

Our Environmental Partners

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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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 of Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds - Pacific Grove California

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 
seafood-watch Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds - Pacific Grove California

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. 
Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds Pacific Grove California - Efficient Operations

Efficient Operations

  • Controlling our energy usage.
  • Utilizing occupancy sensors to control power use
  • Converting lighting to LED efficient systems
  • Turning off meeting room lights, HVAC, and power when the room is not in use. 
Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds Pacific Grove California - Water Conservation

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.
Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds Pacific Grove California - Minimizing Waste

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. 
Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds Pacific Grove California - Transportation And Fuel

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. 
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