Yellowstone Cabins, Accommodation, Inn, Lodging, Camping, RV

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing at Yellowstone National Park

• Implemented a sustainable amenities program in 2008 (the first in the National Park system) that features bottles made primarily from Plastarch Material (PSM), a corn-based biodegradable material; as a result we will divert on average 280,000 plastic bottles (or almost 9 tons) from the landfill annually. Vegetable-based soaps are cruelty-free and contain no animal fat or byproducts, and cartons are made from natural recycled packaging printed with soy-based inks.
• Uses laundry bins made out of post-consumer plastic products
• Purchases recycled paper and use soy-based inks in our printing operations. We have removed all non-recyclable paper (neon colors) from our print shop.
• Purchases environmentally sensitive paper products that use 100% post consumer content and are bleach free. Includes all toilet tissue for more than 2,200 guest rooms, campgrounds and RV parks; towels for dispensers at all properties and restrooms; and, napkins in employee dining rooms and cafeterias.
• Switched all of its pens in lodging services to Bic Ecolutions that are made from 75 percent pre-consumer plastic.
• Reviews all new chemicals introduced into our park operations for environmental attributes through our Chemical Review Committee.
• Utilizes non-hazardous water-based solvents for parts and brake cleaning in the Service Center. Mechanics also use non-chlorinated and refillable spray bottles instead of aerosol cans for brake and carburetor cleaner, and recap old truck tires to extend their life.
• Purchases Green Seal eco-friendly cleaning chemicals.
• Converted vehicles to propylene glycol motor coolant (from ethylene glycol) to reduce potential toxicity to wildlife.
• Purchases used books and research materials for training programs wherever possible
• Eliminated all Styrofoam drinking cups from operations.
• Lodging has begun purchasing pillows made from recycled plastic, and is researching bamboo coat hangers. The department also tested a number of eco-friendly shower curtains, and has begun phasing in non-PVC plastic materials
• In 2009, began purchasing compostable, food-based packaging for disposal silverware and to-go containers in our fast food and cafeteria operations. This will divert 12 tons of material from the landfill annually.