Chumash Casino Resort
Nestled in the heart of Santa Ynez, California, the Chumash Casino Resort (CCR) isn't just a destination for entertainment – it's an exemplar of sustainable practices in its industry.
🌟 Entertainment, Luxury and Local Empowerment
CCR boasts a large AAA Four Diamond-rated hotel and an expansive indoor gaming area featuring slot machines and casino tables. Beyond gaming, the resort offers an array of indoor and outdoor activities including a spa, swimming pool and golf, making it a hub of enjoyment for roughly 3.5 million visitors annually. The resort also has a workforce of around 2,000 Team Members, standing as the largest private employer in Santa Barbara County, providing valuable job opportunities to local communities.
♻️ Sustainability in Action
CCR doesn't just entertain – it leads with its commitment to sustainability. The resort's comprehensive waste diversion efforts have achieved an impressive 90.94% waste diversion rate through strategies like reduction, recycling, reuse and composting. This proactive stance against waste minimises its impact on landfills and the environment and earned CCR the title of being the first casino in the world to earn TRUE certification from Green Business Certification Inc, certified at TRUE Sliver as of 2019.
💧 Conservation from Within
Within its premises, the resort has instituted a range of impactful measures. From decreasing single-use packaging to adopting Airblade Hand Dryers that save over 18,000 paper towels annually. Recycling non-potable water throughout the property is used to flush toilets and nurture the landscape through irrigation. The resort has also embraced LED lighting for its gaming floor and landscape lighting, showcasing its commitment to energy efficiency. The shift to LED not only provides savings but also sets an example for others to follow.
🥗 From Kitchen to Compassion
The resort's commitment reaches its culinary domain too. A water purification system in Willows, which is one of the resort’s restaurants, reduces bottled water use, while recycled content/biodegradable kitchenware enhances its commitment to the environment. Back-of-house initiatives like the Food Recovery Program and wastewater treatment underline their holistic approach. Kitchen ventilation controls have also been introduced, using auto sensors to detect temperature, steam and smoke. Variable frequency drives (VFDs) on appliances such as chillers, condenser fans and air ventilation, have made it possible to tailor pump speeds to the situation's requirements, reducing energy consumption significantly. Other initiatives include grease monitors, waste filtration systems and bacteria dispenser units in the kitchen areas. These innovations have eliminated six round trips of grease-pumping trucks annually between Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez.
🍃 Caring for the Environment, Inside Out
CCR’'s dedication extends to the outdoors as well. Repurposing landscape green waste for compost and mulch, partnering with Central Coast Oil Management for waste cooking oil, and collaborating with Veggie Rescue to redistribute leftover food to those in need showcase a deep sense of responsibility.
🌐 Global Impact through Local Initiatives
The resort's sustainable ethos extends beyond its boundaries. Through a partnership with Clean the World Foundation, CCR contributes by providing minimally used soap products to impoverished people around the world.
🔆 Harnessing the Power of the Sun
Chumash Casino Resort has embraced solar energy with 720 heat transfer tubes adorning its roof. These tubes provide hot water heating, a brilliant move toward sustainable energy solutions. Collaborating with SoCalGas, the solar project not only contributes to a cleaner environment but also received a substantial $48,844 rebate. The calculated annual savings? A remarkable 3,810 therms!
🌱 Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions
The commitment to sustainability extends to the use of Green Seal-certified cleaners. With products from ECO System, CCR has eradicated harsh chemicals like butyl from its premises. As an added step, the Smart Center Dispenser was installed to precisely control the amount of cleaning product dispensed, minimising waste and maximising efficiency.
♻️ Comprehensive Waste Management
A robust waste management and recycling program continues to be at the heart of CCR’'s sustainability initiatives. From reusing pallets and packaging boxes to green purchasing, composting biosolids, and opting for 100% recycled paper, the property diverts 100% of its waste to a sorting facility. An impressive 59% of this waste was recycled in 2011.
CCR isn't just a destination – it sets an inspiring example for the hospitality industry, where entertainment and sustainability coexist. 🌍🏨🌱