Healing Lifestyles & Spas

Spa Eastman Honoured for its Environmental Consciousness and Sustainable Development Program

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By on Healing Blog

Eastman, June 4th 2008 – Spa Eastman has won the prestigious Phénix 2008 in the Sustainable Development category. Spa Eastman was honoured for its environmental consciousness at a ceremony which took place in the Red Room of the National Assembly with the Ministers Line Beauchamp and Raymond Bachand. Spa Eastman is also one of the pioneers in the Réser-Vert certification process and was recently given the highest level of performance in Recyc-Québec’s “Ici on recycle!” program.

THE PHÉNIX AWARD

The prestigious Phénix de l’environnement award pays homage to businesses that protect the environment by implementing sustainable programs. Besides having been awarded this prize because of its exceptional environmental performance, its contribution to the “development of sustainable health” was also highlighted.

For Jocelyna Dubuc, President and General Director of Spa Eastman, “this award is very important to us not only because it rewards our actions but, it reinforces our fundamental values”. For instance, ever since the first clients enjoyed Spa Eastman back in 1977, it has always paid particular attention to where food products come from: most of the products used are organic and the gardens provide the kitchen with fine herbs, edible flowers, sprouts, vegetables and berries. “At this time, however, the challenge of sustainable development goes far beyond organic gardening. In the last few years, the whole of our management and operations has been closely examined and scrutinised. As a result, several changes have been implemented and we are especially committed to pursuing these efforts thanks to a committee devoted to lessening our ecological footprint formed five years ago.” added Jocelyna Dubuc.

Spa Eastman has a rule of thumb to guide its actions called 3NJ (naked, near, natural and just), that is to say, products are chosen based on the least amount of packaging and processing possible, organic ingredients, purchased locally and from businesses that respect their workers and the environment.

THE RÉSER-VERT CERTIFICATION

In order to measure the impact of activities realistically, Spa Eastman was among the ten first hotels to participate voluntarily in the Programme de reconnaissance en développement durable (PRDD), in association with la Fondation québécoise en environnement and l’Association des hôteliers du Québec. The program, now known as Réser-Vert, proposes a constant evolution towards the achievement of balance in environmental, social and economic issues. It is based on 140 specific actions in 10 sectors and has 24 objectives linked to sustainable development: greenhouse gas reduction, reinvestment, community, ethics and economic development. Launched in 2008, this acknowledgement program allows certified businesses to proudly display the Thuya Occidentalis as a living symbol of their commitment to making the world a better place. Spa Eastman is now counted by Réser-Vert as one of the program’s pioneer-hotels.

Spa Eastman’s membership to this program spotlighted the positive impact of their actions. Their waste management program allows them to divert over 23 metric tons from landfills, which represents an 81% recycling rate. The implementation of the 3RV (reduction, reinvestment, recycling and validation) is done systematically and the results are two-fold.

“ICI ON RECYCLE!” RECYC-QUÉBEC

Also, on May 27th, at an official Recyc-Québec ceremony, Spa Eastman was awarded the “Ici on recycle!” program’s level 3 certification. The candidate evaluation committee recommended that Spa Eastman be given the highest distinction in light of its outstanding performance in the matter of waste management.

SPA EASTMAN: NATURALLY!

The Phénix en environnement, the Réser-Vert certification and the “Ici on recycle!” program’s level 3 certification have strengthened Spa Eastman’s proactive attitude towards sustainable development. As was mentioned when the Phénix was awarded, Spa Eastman is a leader in the field because of its mission and role as a promoter of sustainable health. Since the beginning, Spa Eastman has developed a unique way, a preventative approach that is responsible and global that stands out as much in Québec as it does internationally. Spa Eastman’s many awards and international prizes are a powerful testament to its savoir-faire.

“In 1977, Spa Eastman’s approach was certainly ahead of its time if not counter-current. Water and energy conservation, the constant quest for natural staple foods, the organic gardens, banning the use of pesticides and herbicides, composting… all this seemed completely eccentric at the time. Today, we are proud to have stood by our principles for all these years, but we are even more proud of knowing that finally we are not alone in adopting responsible behaviours. This way, preserving the environment becomes a natural reflex. Spa Eastman’s fundamental values are now shared by all those who are striving to improve not only their personal quality of life, but that of their planet as well. In this, we feel we have won!” concluded Ms Dubuc.

www.spa-eastman.com

Visit our blog Spa Eastman… from the Heart: www.spa-blog.ca

Healing Lifestyles & Spas Team
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