The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) recently announced the names of six of its timeshare industry members who are making a concerted effort to create a greener, more environmentally-friendly world.
“It’s one thing to recycle at your resort or participate in a clean-up once in a while,” says Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA. “But it’s quite another to develop and carry out the major initiatives that our members have done. It’s a real model for other industries.”
In a 2-Part series we’ll look at the six, and what specific green initiatives each company has developed. Part 1:
1. Marriott Vacation Club recently announced a partnership with “Clean the World,” a group that recycles partially used bars of soap and bottled amenities from resorts in the United States and distributes the new soap and hygiene kits to communities that lack access to these essential items. Each day 9,000 children around the world die from diseases such as acute respiratory illness and diarrheal diseases, which can be prevented by washing with soap.
Clean the World also conducts soap drives for the collection of new soap that can be immediately used and distributed in hygiene kits to those in need. In just eight weeks, 500 Marriott Vacation Club Owner Services associates based in Salt Lake City turned in a cumulative donation of 16,918 bars of new soap.
Photo is of the Marriott Grande Ocean resort in Hilton Head, South Carolina, where currently you can get a timeshare rental for just $71/night.
2. Bluegreen Wilderness Club at Big Cedar (see photo) is also a participating property in the Clean the World effort. In addition, Bluegreen Vacations has been recognized for using supplies made only of recycled materials and equipping their guest rooms with a master switch to cut a unit’s power when not in use.
At their Hammocks at Marathon resort, they use non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaners, have a linen reuse program, and discuss environmental policy at monthly employee meetings.
Currently you can stay in a Wilderness Club at Big Cedar timeshare rental for just $9/night
3.Grand Pacific Resort Management, the California management company of 15 resorts for over 50,000 owner families in the U.S. and Canada, formed a “Going Green Squad”—a group dedicated to a culture fully committed to being environmentally friendly. Several of their resorts are engaged in unique efforts.
For example, The Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort collected a thousand plastic bottles destined for landfills and contributed them to artists who crafted a 10’ x 10’ picture of Marilyn Monroe.
After Grand Pacific Resort Management’s Mountain Retreat resort experienced a fire that damaged its clubhouse, the resort “made lemonade from lemons” and implemented a number of environmentally friendly changes, such as double pane windows and motion sensors to control the resources needed to heat and light the space.
Currently Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort timeshare rentals (see photo) start at just $143/night.
Image Credit (top): lincolnwoodil.org