RECYCLING – TO PRESERVE RESOURCES

Composting

Guest Services’ food service operations at Mount Rainier began separating food waste for composting in 2010. The food waste is taken off-site and turned into soil-enhancing material that is sold to area farms. Other Guest Services units have begun their own composting efforts, both on- and off-site.

Conventional Recycling

Many of Guest Services’ operations have long-standing programs of recycling paper, glass, cardboard, plastic and aluminum. In 2022, total conventional recycling companywide equaled over 95.5 tons.

Cooking Oil

Guest Services recycled over 15.2 tons of cooking oil in 2022. The recycled cooking oil is processed and converted to either biodiesel or animal feed, depending on market demand at the time of processing.

Electronic Equipment

Guest Services operating units contain various types of electronic equipment, all of which is gradually replaced. Our Environmental Policy #302 requires that all such waste be recycled at the end of its useful life. We utilize an organization called WiseTek for this effort. In previous years we have recycled over 3,700 pounds of electronic equipment through this program.

Hazardous Waste Recycling

In late 2011, Guest Services began utilizing Waste Management’s Lamptracker system for tracking the recycling of fluorescent lights, batteries, and disposable items containing potentially hazardous waste.

In 2022, Guest Services’ recycled 3,703 pounds of batteries, light bulbs, and fluorescent light ballasts.

Ink Cartridge Recycling

Guest Services has also developed a companywide program to recycle printer ink cartridges. Guest Services recycled 200 pounds of printer cartridges in 2022.