Spa Girl answers the GREEN question!

Being ecologically responsible and environmentally aware are important factors in how we go about our daily lives today. This is also true for Spas who are turning to organic, all-natural products in their treatments, complying with “green” building standards, using sustainable practices in their overall design, buying soaps without phosphates, using recycled paper products and finding creative methods to recycle greywater (dish, shower, sink and laundry water).

By working to eliminate toxins both within their skin care products and spa environments, green spas around the globe are providing a healthier experience. They are offering a more balanced and relaxed atmosphere by eliminating noise, pollution, toxins and waste. For those who have experienced the luxury of a green spa the general consciences is that they are attuned to the rhythms of nature as well as the rhythms of the human body making clients feel healthier, stronger and more attractive.

The Green Spa Network http://greenspanetwork.org/ is a spa industry resource devoted to bringing greening and sustainability to the health, wellness and beauty community. They state a “green spa” is a center for healing, aesthetics and wellness where reducing the spa's environmental footprint is a top priority. They also offer a Green Spa Tool Kit which offers practical resources to help achieve green goals.

Some characteristics of a green spa, suggested by the Green Spa Network include:

•Strives to conserve energy and water resources
•Is committed to using materials that can be recycled, follows recycling practices
•always looking for ways to minimize waste
•Utilizes natural and organic skin care products
•Believes that it has a responsibility to guests and to the planet to reduce exposure to toxic substances and to minimize hazardous waste generation
•Shares its concern for the Earth's well-being with guests
•environmentally friendly strategies and techniques

There are a number of resources available to help find eco-friendly and green spas including:
Eco-friendly and Green Spas
http://www.spaindex.com/Lifestyles/EcoHolisticSpas.htm

In the UK I discovered Rachel’s Organic http://www.rachelsorganic.co.uk/lifestyle/gorgeouslygreen
who state:
“Our passion for the finest, environmentally-sensitive organic dairy and indulgent pleasures inspired us to team up with The Good Spa Guide to produce this Little Black Book - a guide to some of the very best 'green' spas in Britain. So, if you are in need of a little TLC, why not download our Little Black Book of Gloriously Green Spas and treat yourself to a relaxing treatment at one of these eco-friendly spas, all of which share our dedication to great taste and pure pleasure”!

Below is just handful of Spas that are incorporating green best practices into their spa experience by using renewable resources, waste management programs, organic foods, collaborating with other green companies, using recycled paper and eco-friendly cleaning products, selecting energy efficient light bulbs, floors of sustainable bamboo, low-flow shower heads, reclaimed water, emission and noise-free alternative to traditional heating and cooling methods, green roofs, and recycled greywater programs. It is very exciting.

Stowe Mountain Lodge purchases over 50 percent of its power from renewable resources and is a member of Destination Earth Hotels & Resorts. In recognition of the need to preserve the world in which we operate and serve our guests, Destination Hotels & Resorts is dedicated to practices and programs that pay respect to, and lessen our footprint on, our changing environment.

Quebec's Spa Eastman has won Eastern Townships' Final of the Grands Prix du tourisme in the Sustainable Tourism category. Among a number of sustainable initiatives, Spa Eastman’s waste management program diverts over 23 metric tons from landfills, which represents an 81% recycling rate. The implementation of the 3RV (reduction, reinvestment, recycling & validation) is done systematically and the results are two-fold. Spa Eastman has always paid particular attention to where food products come from: most of the products used are organic and the gardens provide the kitchen with fine herbs, edible flowers, sprouts, vegetables and berries.

The Blue Marble Spa at the newly transformed Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina in San Diego, California sources as much as possible from other green companies and, when it comes to spreading the word about its eco-friendly practices and spa services, uses only recycled paper, eco-friendly cleaning products, offers its treatment menu in digital format, and provides eco-friendly literature for reading and further education.

The spa incorporates a range of conservation principles, including the use of energy efficient light bulbs, floors of sustainable bamboo and low-flow shower heads. The spa also uses organic and natural skincare products, offers organic fruits and food options and uses minimal hot water.

From the paint on the walls to the nail polish that adorn its guests everything about the new, full-service Uhma Spa & Shop in South Beach, Florida, makes Earth Day everyday. (Uhma is pronounced ‘ooh-mah’.)Face and body treatments use only 100 percent natural, organic and cruelty-free products. Manicures and pedicures all use nontoxic polishes and unlike most spas are waterless – instead of soaking hands the technician uses a specialty conditioner to get at unwanted cuticles.

Upon constructing Uhma Spa & Shop everything that was already in place was recycled (old sinks and toilets were replaced with new low flow ones), reused or donated. The original ceiling was incorporated into the current design to maximize insulation therefore minimizing energy use.

Uhma’s walls and cabinetry are all made from American walnut, a sustainable resource where each tree that is cut down is replaced by another. All paints used are VOC free (e.g. they don’t use harmful pollutants). The epoxy floors in the Shop are water based. The lighting used throughout the space uses a mixture of efficient compact fluorescents, LED and metal halide. All appliances used are EnergyStar, gas is used instead of electricity for water heating, all shower water is filtered and all cleaning products are phosphate free, biodegradable and VOC free.

New Mexico’s El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa features the “Living Machine,” a water recycling system that is designed to filter wastewater through pools that are rich with fish, plants and other natural filters. The end result is reclaimed water that is used to irrigate botanical gardens and landscaping, including herbs, vegetables and exotic fruits that are served at the property’s restaurant.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts around the world have adopted the Green Partnership Program, which is a company-wide stewardship effort that strives to minimize properties’ operational impact on the environment through resource conservation and best practices. In doing so, the properties respect and value the indigenous culture that enhances the guests’ authentic experience.

When a spa was added to New York’s historic Mohonk Mountain House, top priority was given to the insertion of a geothermal heating and cooling system; as this system provides an emission-free and noise-free alternative to traditional heating and cooling methods. A green roof helps insulate the building as well, and it also provides a habitat for birds and butterflies.

Mexico’s Rancho La Puerta destination spa has had an on-site sustainable garden from the time it opened in 1940. Rancho La Puerta uses soaps without phosphates, recycled toilet paper and recycles greywater (dish, shower, sink and laundry water) through a marshland.

Below is a list of spas around the world that are making an effort to help protect and give back to the environment:

United States
Arizona
Miraval Resort - Catalina, Arizona, (800) 232-3969
Moss Wellness Spa - Scottsdale, Arizona, (480) 945-6772
California
Calistoga Ranch - Calistoga, California, (800) 942-4220
The Carneros Inn- Napa, California, (888) 400-9000
GreenBliss EcoSpa- Los Angeles, California, (323) 630-4537
Indigo Eco-Spa at Stevenswood Spa Resort- Littleriver, California, (800) 421-2810
Osmosis - Freestone, California, (707) 823-8231
Post Ranch Inn- Big Sur, California, (800) 527-2200
Ra Organic Spa - Burbank, California, (818) 848-4772
Solage Calistoga - Calistoga, California, (866) 942-7442
Colorado
Devil's Thumb Ranch - Tabernash, Colorado, (800) 933-4339
Gold Lake Mountain Resort & Spa - Ward, Colorado, (305) 459-3544
Florida
Mayfair Hotel & Spa - Jurlique Spa - Coconut Grove, Florida, (800) 433-4555
Sandpearl Resort - Sandpearl Spa - Clearwater Beach, Florida, (727) 441-2425
New Mexico
El Monte Sagrado Living Resort & Spa - Taos, New Mexico, (800) 828-8267
Sunrise Springs - Santa Fe, New Mexico, (800) 955-0028
New York
Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa - Milton, New York, (877) 746-6772
Emerson Resort & Spa - Mount Tremper, New York, (877) 688-2828
Mohonk Mountain House - New Paltz, New York, (800) 772-6646
Priti Organic Spa - New York, New York, (212) 254-3628
Texas
The Crossings - Austin, Texas, (877) 944-3003
Utah
Sundance Resort - Sundance, Utah, (800) 892-1600
Virginia
Miracle Farm Bed & Breakfast Spa & Resort - Floyd, VA, (707) 462-9515
Vermont
Equinox Resort & Spa - Manchester Village, Vermont, (866) 346-7625
Washington, D.C.
Nusta Spa - Washington, DC, (202) 530-5700
Wisconsin
Sundara Inn & Spa - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, (888) 735-8181
Multiple States
Natural Body Spa and Shoppe

Aruba
Oranjestad
Aruba Beach Club - Oranjestad, Aruba, (297) 582-3000
Bucuti Beach Resort Aruba - Oranjestad, Aruba, (297) 583-1100
Costa Linda Beach Resort - Oranjestad, Aruba, (297) 583-8000
Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa - Oranjestad, Aruba, (800) 223-1108

Australia
Cape Cassini Wilderness Retreat - Kangaroo Island, Australia, (61) 8-8559-2215
Daintree Ecolodge & Spa - Daintree, Queensland, Australia, (61) 740-986100

Barbados
Almond Beach Club & Spa - St. James, Barbados, (888) 237-8772
Bougainvillea Beach Resort - Bridgetown, Barbados, (246) 418-0990

Egypt
Hotel Sofitel Cairo Maadi Towers & Casino - Cairo, Maadi, Egypt, (800) 763-4835
Iberotel Coraya Beach Resort - Marsa Alam, Red Sea, Egypt, (20) 65-3750000
Sunrise Garden Beach Resort - Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt, (20) 2-3459271
Conrad Cairo Hotel - Cairo, Egypt, (800) 445-8667
Sheraton Heliopolis Hotel, Towers & Casino - Cairo, Egypt, (888) 625-5144
Sheraton Miramar Resort - El Gouna, Egypt, (888) 625-5144

Fiji Islands
Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort - Vanua Levu, Fiji Islands, (800) 246-3454
Sonaisali Island Resort - Nadi, Fiji Islands, (679) 670 6011

French Polynesia
Intercontinental Resort and Thalasso Spa Bora Bora - Motu Piti Aau, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, (689) 604900
Intercontinental Resort and Spa, Moorea - Moorea, French Polynesia, (689) 865110

Iceland
Hotel Hellnar - Hellnar, Iceland, (354) 435-6820

India
The Malabar House Fort Cochin - Fort Cochin, Kerala, India, (91) 4842-216666

Indonesia
Alila Manggis Resort - Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, (62) 363-41011
Alila Ubud Resort - Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia, (62) 361-975963
Amandari - Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, (689) 604900
Conrad Bali Resort & Spa - Tanjung Benoa, Bali, Indonesia, (800) 445-8667
Melia Benoa All-Inclusive Resort - Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, (62) 361-771714
Banyan Tree - Laguna Bintan, Lagoi, Indonesia, (866) 822-6926
Melia Bali Villas and Spa Resort - Nusa Dua Denpasar, Indonesia, (62) 361-771510

Ireland
Monart Destination Spa - Co. Wexford, Ireland, (353) 53-923-8999

Israel
Mizpe Hayamim Spa - Rosha Pinna, Israel, 972-4-6994555

Jamaica
Beaches Boscobel Resort & Golf Club - Ocho Rios, Jamaica, (888) 232-2437
Beaches Negril Resort & Spa - Negril, Jamaica, (888) 232-2437

Maldives
Coco Palm Dhunikolhu - Dunikolu Island, Baa Atoll, Maldives, (960) 230011
Banyan Tree - Vabbinfare Island, Maldives, (866) 822-6926

Mauritius
Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel - Port Louis, Mauritius, (230) 202-4000
Le Coco Beach Hotel - Belle Mare, Mauritius, (230) 415-1010
Le Prince Maurice - Poste de Flacq, Mauritius, (230) 413-9100

Mexico
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita - Punta Mita, Nayarit, Mexico (800) 819-5053
Rancho la Puerta - Tecate, Baja California, Mexico, (800) 443-7565

New Zealand
Heritage Auckland Hotel - Auckland, New Zealand, (64) 9-3798553
Matakauri Lodge - Queenstown, New Zealand, (64) 3-4411008

Seychelles
Banyan Tree - Mahe, Seychelles, (866) 822-6926

South Africa
Fordoun Hotel & Spa - KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, (27) 033-266-6217

Sri Lanka
Earls Regeny Hotel - Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka, (81) 242-2122
Hotel Tree of Life - Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka, (94) 81-2499-777
The Tea Factory - Nuwara Eliya, Central Province, Sri Lanka, (94) 052-2229600

Thailand
Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa - Muang District, Phuket, Thailand, (66) 076-381010
Banyan Tree - Phuket, Thailand, (866) 822-6926
Sila Evason Hideaway & Spa at Samui - Ko Samui, Thailand, (66) 77-245678

Turks & Caicos Islands
Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa - Turks & Caicos Islands, (888) 232-2437