The Resort ~

Environmental Commitment

As a family owned and operated business, it is especially important to the Management and Staff of Turf Valley to strive toward a better, greener Earth for ourselves, our children, grandchildren and generations to come. Not only do we seek to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, but also to instill an attitude of personal environmental responsibility throughout all possible aspects of our business.

We will:

• Continuously work toward decreasing our environmental impact by such means as the reduction of gas, electric and water usage
• Offer training and certification programs, as well as awareness campaigns that reach out to all employees
• Seek out eco-friendly initiatives and be an advocate and industry leader for energy conservation and environmental practices
• Communicate initiatives, such as property-wide recycling programs, and encourage participation by all employees and guests

Our Green Initiatives include:

• Implementing a solid food waste composting program in Alexandra's Restaurant and our Banquet Department. Since March 2010 we have composted 37,298 lbs. of food waste.

• Offering guests a linen and towel reuse option

• Providing glass, plastic and paper recycling containers throughout public spaces

• Utilizing post-consumer recycled content paper for print materials

• Discontinuing the use of Styrofoam food and beverage containers and utilizing reusable containers as often as possible

• Discontinuing the use of oil-based paint whenever possible

• Implementing sleep-mode on all office equipment when not in use

• Converting nearly 75% of guest room shower heads to water-saving models

• Choosing energy efficient and environmentally sound replacement equipment

• Identifying areas on golf courses and common areas that can be allowed to grow native and require only semi-annual mowings

• Creating native plant material and untreated turf grass buffer areas along waterways and wetland areas, creating additional filtering of surface run-off before it enters waterways

• Minimizing the use of restricted-use pesticides

• Reclaiming irrigation and rain water run-off for use in irrigation cycles, minimizing the need for sub-surface water withdrawal

• Installing hand dryers in public rest rooms that use 80% less energy than traditional hand dryers and reduce paper usage.

• Planting an herb garden on property.

• Upgrading decorative lighting at the outdoor pool pavillion and wedding gazebo to LED lights.

• Participating in Howard County's Farm to Table Restaurant Weeks.

• Adding light occupancy sensors for lighting in the Fitness Center and select public rest rooms.

• Converting to paperless invoicing for contracted groups.

• Adding recycling receptacles to all guest rooms.

• Recycling flourescent light bulbs.

• Recycling fryer grease.

We are proud to be a Maryland Green Travel Partner and a member of the National Audubon Society.

We look forward to finding new and innovative ways to operate with environmental responsibility and sustainability. Please share your ideas with us at green@turfvalley.com.