Green Initiatives

Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort is dedicated to protecting the environment and preserving natural resources. We have undertaken numerous initiatives and programs - which we continue to expand - in order to reduce energy costs and material consumption.

The following is an overview of our Green Initiatives:

Energy Efficiency

Energy and Atmosphere

Property tracks and reports carbon emissions

Building Systems and Equipment Maintenance

Maintains a list/file with specifications on mechanical and electrical systems and equipment
Has a documented preventative maintenance program for building systems and equipment
All main mechanical equipment has variable speed drive controls to reduce energy consumption during low demand conditions
Installed new high efficiency chiller for main building air conditioning
Installed VF Doors in all (5) kitchen exhaust systems

Energy Audits and Retrocommissioning

Within the past two years, an informal or in-house evaluation of energy use including potential operating changes or upgrades that would increase efficiency has been conducted
A recent inspection was conducted at the resort by an executive engineering manager or regional engineer

Energy Efficient Lighting

Installed Compact Fluorescents in all guest suites
Installed Compact Fluorescents and energy efficient light bulbs in exterior light fixtures
In 2013, 1,150 standard light bulbs were replaced with LED technology in the ballroom meeting rooms
Installed a new ballroom lighting system that is PC controlled, which will allow all events to be preprogrammed and have the ability to shut-off lighting from computers. Result will be energy savings and better control

Building Automation Systems-Energy and Indoor Air Quality

Installed a building automation system (BAS), building management system (BMS) or energy management system (EMS) that monitors and controls key building systems, including HVAC
BAS has the capacity to monitor outside air delivery rates from primary system air handler units
EMS installed to control air conditioning temperatures in all Convention Center meeting rooms. Ability to schedule high/low set points/on & off times in these areas

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Installation of (2) BLINK Vehicle Charging Stations

Housekeeping and Maintenance Staff Training

Housekeeping staff is trained to turn off lights and televisions when guest suites are not occupied
Housekeeping staff is trained to adjust guest suite temperatures to seasonally efficient settings when guest suites are unoccupied
Operations staff is trained to turn off lights when meeting rooms are not occupied
Operations staff is trained to adjust meeting room temperatures to seasonally efficient settings when suites are vacant
Staff is trained to ensure that washers, dryers, and dishwashers are filled to the recommended capacity and that the coolest effective water temperature is used

Water Efficiency

Indoor Water Efficiency Performance

Water efficient water closets are used at the property and the average flush rate can be provided
Water efficient showers are used at this property and the average flow rate for showerheads in the hotel guest suites can be provided
Water efficient showers are used at this property and the average flow rate for all showerheads in other areas of the hotel (employee locker rooms, health club/spa, other) can be provided
Housekeeping and maintenance staff are trained to check for visible leaks from guest bathroom fixtures and kitchen sinks
Installed timers on all water fountains to shut off after hours

Cooling Tower Water Treatment Systems

Water treatment management program is in place with maintenance requirements for the water treatment vendor and hotel staff
Conductivity meter and automatic controls are installed to adjust the bleed rate and maintain proper chemical concentrations in the treatment system at all times

Pool and Spa Operations

Facilities optimized for temperature control
Whirlpool spas are equipped with automatic or demand-controlled timers
Facilities are equipped with automatic treatment controls to maintain optimum conditions

Guest Suite Efficiency-Towel & Linen Reuse

Operates a reuse program for towels
Operates a reuse program for bed linen

Indoor Environmental Quality

Indoor Air Quality Management Program

Public Ventilation system capable of delivering 100% outside air
Preventive maintenance program addresses maintenance of HVAC components as they relate to outdoor air introduction and ventilation
Enforces a "no idling" policy in loading dock areas

Housekeeping and Chemical Use

Sustainable Housekeeping-Other

Purchases sustainable housekeeping equipment (such as vacuums and floor buffers) where available and cost effective

Chemical Storage and Mixing Areas

Uses an automatic dosage system for chemical cleaning products used in housekeeping
Water sources are provided in chemical storage and mixing areas for mixing concentrates, and drains are plumbed for proper disposal
Chemical storage and use areas are properly ventilated
All drums and chemical storage containers are properly marked
All containers and spill containment devices are regularly inspected for container leakage

Exterior and Site Maintenance

Building Exterior and Hardscape Maintenance

Maintains best practices that minimize environmental impacts from building exterior maintenance and repairs
Staff sweeps or wet-brooms entries, sidewalks, and other exterior areas rather than hosing or pressure washing

Sustainable Grounds and Landscape Maintenance

Maintains best practices that minimize environmental impacts from maintenance of exterior landscaping and other natural areas (i.e. areas not covered by concrete or asphalt)
Native and/or drought tolerant landscaping is planted
Plant beds are mulched, or soil is covered with materials such as bark, organic material, or decorative rock

Landscape Water Efficiency

Irrigation system timers are seasonally adjusted and scheduled to water in either late evenings or early mornings
The party responsible for maintenance and inspections of the irrigation system and controls for proper scheduling, broken sprinkler heads or irrigation lines, overspray, etc., can be provided
A smart irrigation controller that automatically adjusts irrigation schedules according to actual or historic weather conditions is installed
Instead of sprinklers, drip irrigation or soaker hoses are used in plant beds
Xeriscaping to remove grass in some areas and replacing with gravel/ rock and low water use planting material, and installing drip irrigation system instead of sprinkler heads
21 irrigation water controllers have been installed with a weather track system that is controlled by weather conditions though satellites (resulting in an annual saving of around 9,800,000 gallon of water)

Integrated Pest Management

Pest control vendor utilizes an integrated pest management (IPM) program/techniques for exterior pest control
Pest control vendor uses physical controls and/or integrated pest management techniques in interior areas
Landscape vendor use organic insecticides, fertilizers and pesticides and/or integrated pest management (IPM) techniques

Heat Island Reduction

Trees or other significant shading cover at least 50% of the hardscaped area (i.e. roads, sidewalks, courtyards, parking lot, etc.) during the summer season

Recreational Facilities - Golf Courses and Tennis Courts

Landscape vendor uses integrated pest management or ecologically sensitive methods in recreational facilities to minimize the use of pesticides and other chemical applications

Alternative Transportation

Replacing resort carts with electric instead of gas

Waste Management

Solid Waste Management Policy

Operates recycling program that addresses recycling of ongoing waste as well as proper disposal of hazardous waste and other special waste categories

Food and Wet Waste Composting

Composts food, food service items or other wet waste off-site

Hazardous Waste Disposal and Recycling of Special Materials

Recycles or exchanges used printer toner cartridges through the supplier or other resources
Recycles kitchen grease
Recycles and ensures proper disposal of electronic waste (i.e., computers, printers, copiers, TVs, appliances and other electrical devices)

Sustainable Purchasing

Sustainable Office Practices

Provides electronic signage for announcements and events
Double-sided default setting for copying and printing on hotel office equipment.

Food and Beverage

Source Reduction: guest and meetings food service
For kitchen food preparation, condiments are ordered in bulk

Sustainable Purchasing: Food and Beverage Procurement

Change menu seasonally based on locally or regionally available fresh foods
Can serve seafood selected according to responsible seafood guides upon request for a group meeting or event

Renovation and Construction

Hotel Renovation and Construction Activity

Purchase furniture of sufficient quality to allow repair, reuse, refinishing and/or reupholstery in conjunction with ongoing operations or renovation activities

Awareness and Recognition

Hotel Awareness and Recognition Program
A Sustainability Committee or individuals assigned responsibility for implementing sustainability policies and practices is in place

Community Donations and Philanthropy

The resort is extremely active in philanthropic activities with team members donating time, money and resources to a variety of community programs and causes each month. In addition, the resort hosts regular community events including Haunted Cabanas benefitting Children in Crisis, Holiday Festival at The Falls with donations going to St. Mary's Food Bank, Water Drives during the summer months with water bottles being donated to the Salvation Army. Pet supply donations delivered to the Humane Society, and an annual Coat Donation Drive with coats donated to U.M.O.N. (Arizona's largest homeless shelter)

Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort Green Initiatives ~