Sustainability
Located in the spectacular and pristine alpine environment of British Columbia’s Coast Mountain Range, Fairmont Chateau is committed to environmental stewardship. Through our onsite Sustainability Committee projects and Accor’s industry-leading environmental initiatives, we are working to preserve the beauty of Whistler for future generations.
Leftover soap, hygiene products, linens and lost and found items that would otherwise be discarded from guest rooms are donated to the Soap for Hope Canada, which processes and distributes amenities to community facilities serving vulnerable individuals throughout Canada and impoverished nations around the globe. The Lodge is proudly active as a caring community partner. In 2021 alone, Soap for Hope distributed over 16,000 Hygiene kits and over 342,000 essential hygiene products and linens.
The resort has made significant strides to reduce plastic consumption, having eliminated all 100% of plastic straws, plastic cups and plastic water bottles from guest-facing operations. Accor’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Brune Poirson, committed that all Accor properties worldwide will eliminate all guest-facing single-use plastic by the end of 2022.
Our culinary team is delighted to serve local, organic and/or sustainable menu items whenever possible. Fairmont Chateau Whistler also participates in the Ocean Wise sustainability food program.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler is proud to have numerous electric vehicle charging stations on property.
Beginning of 2024, Fairmont Chateau Whistler was awarded a rating of 5 Green Keys from the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Key Eco-Rating Program.
Green Key Global has recognized our accomplishments in environmental management and corporate social responsibility. It also identified us as a hotel that exemplifies the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility throughout all areas of operations. Cutting edge technologies, policies and programs that set the international standard for sustainable hotel operations. We will continue to work with Green Key Global to leverage our organizational corporate social responsibility activities and sustainable initiatives across the property to reduce our carbon footprint. To learn more about the program, please visit their website.
To conserve energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions, Fairmont Chateau Whistler has introduced LED light bulbs throughout the hotel.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler recycles all refundable beverages, glass, cardboard, paper, tin, plastic, metal, electronics, shipping pallets, tires, propane cylinders, mattresses, cooking oil and Nespresso pods. The hotel actively purchases environmentally friendly to-go cups, containers and utensils for our dining venues. We have proudly eliminated the use of plastic water bottles in all guest rooms.
Accor’s Net-Zero Carbon Calculator helps Meeting & Event clients to calculate their carbon footprint and offset emissions by purchasing carbon credits to balance the remaining emissions. The solution is provided in collaboration with myclimate.org, a Swiss non-profit organization and global leader in carbon accounting and climate protection.
Recently, Fairmont Chateau Whistler renovated 300+ guest bathrooms across the property. All of the renovated bathrooms were retrofitted with certified low-flow sink faucets, toilets, and showerheads. The installation of low-flow fixtures helps the resort to dramatically reduce water consumption without compromising the comfort of our guests.
We are thankful to have some of the cleanest drinking water in the entire world right here in Whistler.
Whistler drinking water comes from alpine snow that melts into lakes and streams and replenishes the groundwater. When the alpine water is cloudy, water is sourced from thirteen groundwater wells.
The RMOW focuses on source water protection so that the treatment of source water is effective. Once the water is treated, it enters the reservoir, which is kept full to ensure Whistler always has enough water in case of fire.
Whistler’s water then travels from the reservoir through a pipe network straight to our property for guests and staff to enjoy!
Whistler’s water system is sophisticated and has many measures in place to ensure its safety. The operation, maintenance, and capital replacement of the system is funded by the Water Utility Fund.
