GreenPath® & Yosemite Green Meetings

Service is an important element to a greener meeting. Health issues need to be considered when choosing bulk servings.

• Refillable water pitchers are to be used instead of bottled water.
• Milk, sugar and other condiments served in bulk.
• China is to be used instead of disposable items.
• Linen napkins to replace paper ones.
• Cutlery is to be used instead of plastic items and stir sticks.
• Centerpieces may be edible-organic arrangements or made from reusable items such as silk. Cost for this will be the responsibility of the meeting planner.
• Paper doilies will not be used; they will be replaced with coasters where possible.
• Custom menus will be printed on recycled paper stock.
• If disposables cannot be avoided, they are to be biodegradable or recyclable.

• Organic beverages (such as coffee, tea or wine) are available.
• Local and in-season regional cuisine is served where possible.
• Seafood choices are sustainable.
• Sample organic/sustainable menus provided upon request. Vegetarian options are available.

• Use paperless technology. Use new media and electronic technology to cut down your paper use. Create a conference web site; offer electronic registration and confirmation; and advertise using the web and/or email.
• Recycling stations/bins to be placed in meeting room.
• White boards should be used, rather than flip charts.
• If flip charts are used, ensure high post-consumer content paper (80% min).
• Promotional collateral should be minimized, where possible. Try using flash drive for all presentations, as a take-a-way for your attendees.
• If printed materials are needed publish on recycled paper, using vegetable-based inks, and on both sides.
• Provide conference cups or travel mugs to your attendees to use for all coffee and beverage breaks.

Other areas within the function can incorporate environmental considerations.

• Delegates receive environmentally friendly in-room welcome amenities or gifts.
• Delegates receive information about any nature-based activities or trails in the area.
• Walking maps of the area are available through the concierge.
• Any on-property green event space is incorporated into the event.
• Interpretive Programs available.
• Dedicated TV channel is to be available to provide information and updates to delegates.
• Electronic paperless check-in/check-out is to be used.
• Hotel/resort will stop newspaper delivery to delegates upon request.
• Hotel/resort will e-mail contracts, etc., where possible.
• Green Key Program
• We can assist you in the purchasing for your meeting: Flash drives, Recycled Pens, Recycled Pencils, Reusable Bottles/Coffee Mugs.
• Environment Education Class

On-site operations are important considerations when selecting a venue – conservation practices result in a resource-efficient property that is better for the environment. Please review the following. Please note that some of these options are subject to availability, based on geographic locations and restrictions. Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite standards are highlighted.

• Accreditation – ISO 14001 – ISO 14001 is an environmental management standard. It specifies a set of environmental management requirements for environmental management systems. The purpose of this standard is to help all types of organizations to protect the environment, to prevent pollution, and to improve their environmental performance.
• "Winner of the 2007 IMEX Green Meetings Award"
• An Environmental audit is conducted annually.
• Our “Green Path® Team” conducts internal audits quarterly, provides ongoing associate education, and keeps property abreast of current environmental standards & offerings.
• Additional Programs
• Waste Management
• Water Conservation
• Air Quality
• Energy Efficiency
• Recycling