Green Initiatives

The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge is committed to demonstrating best practices in sustainable, efficient and innovative environmental practices. A dedicated green committee meets regularly to continue to develop ways Ballantyne can be more environmentally friendly.
To view the green initiatives brochure click here or review below.

Sustainable Practices Include:

Water Efficiency

• Implemented “green card,” an environmentally friendly program for
  guests if they do not want to have linen changed in rooms during
  their stays. This program has reduced laundry processing by 35%.
• Natura Water available for meetings and events.
• Replaced toilets in all guest rooms with better design/low-flow toilets.
• Use low aerator faucets in guest rooms.
• Banquets staff is serving water from pitchers and in glasses instead
  of plastic bottles when requested.
• The golf course is designed with water efficient landscaping using no
  municipal water.
• Use a private water system through four detention ponds which hold
  surface water to irrigate the landscape and recaptures 70% of run
  off to reuse for irrigation and main water supply purposes.
• Significant water use savings are achieved with drip irrigation, high
  uniformity nozzles, planting materials and water use zones.
• Trees, shrubs and other planted materials selected are native to the
  area and require low water volume to maintain. (planted over 800
  trees on golf course)
• Detained run-off into pond use for irrigation at hotel and
  surrounding Ballantyne Corporate Park.
  Creek stabilization project on golf course’s three creeks works to
  stop erosion.
• Utilize low flow automatic faucets.

Energy Efficiency

• Installed 75 light sensor devices to automatically turn off lights when
  not in use in certain rooms.
• Hotel uses energy efficient lighting.
• Installed new energy 15 watt fluorescent bulbs in all Lodge meeting
  rooms to replace 65 watt spot lamps.
• Improved efficiencies of HVAC equipment and gas sources to reduce
  energy used.
• Utilize two 2500E Hybrid Riding Green mowers, which result in better
  fuel economy with efficient electric reel motors, reducing noise
  pollution and eliminating more than 100 potential leak points.
• Additional hybrid landscaping equipment used to maintain grounds
  includes low emissions edger, blower and trimmer.
• Utilize electric golf carts.

Waste Disposal

• Implemented single-stream recycling program (paper, cardboard,
  steel, glass, plastic, aluminum).
• Developed initiatives to reduce paper usage, including two-sided
  printing.
• Use paperless time and attendance system.
• Recycle printer cartridges.
• Recycle guest room keys.
• Implemented single-stream recycling program (paper, cardboard,
  steel, glass, plastic, aluminum).
• Natura Water system eliminates waste produced by traditional
  bottled water sources.

Pest and Disease Management

• Utilize low VOC paints and carpets
• Utilize natural methods to eliminate pests whenever possible.
• Limit use of fertilizers and pesticides by spot-treating, especially
  around waterways, ponds and creeks versus spraying everywhere.
• When using pesticides, staff utilizes insecticides with minimal amounts
  of volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Wildlife Promotion

• The Golf Club is certified by Audubon International, dedicated to pro
  moting sustainable practices that demonstrate good stewardship
  of the natural environment.
• In 1998, 2.5 acres of wetlands were built on the golf course to
  mitigate any wetland delimitation that occurred during
  construction, thus promoting aquatic and wildlife habitat on the
  property.
• Collected discarded Christmas trees and used them to create fish
  habitats in the pond on the 17th hole.
• Golf maintenance has strategically placed more than thirty bird
  boxes on the course to create bird habitats.

Contribution to Local Environment and Community

• Located within walking distance of retail shopping, over 50
  restaurants, the YMCA, walking trails, parks and ponds.
  Produce and meats are purchased locally.
• Cooking oil is recycled.
• Utilize environmentally friendly product for box lunches (instead of
  Styrofoam and plastic).
• The Spa at Ballantyne uses certified organic skin care products.
  Utilize “Green Seal Guarantee” cleaning supplies to help protect
  indoor air quality.
• In 2007, over 350 trees were planted on the golf course and a tree
  nursery was formed on undeveloped land in Ballantyne Corporate
  Park.