As a leader in the hospitality industry, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa is committed to monitoring and improving the impact we have on the environment. This commitment to environmental health is at the core of our corporate culture and is reflected in our company’s Mission Statement: "We believe that anything is possible and will create grand experiences for our guests, our members and ourselves. We hold the local community in high standing and will maintain a positive stewardship of our environment."

Environmental Quick List
Here's a quick list of some of our environmentally-friendly practices.

• In-room recycling bins in all guest rooms (paper and plastic)
• Linen reuse program
• Biodegradable plastic waste bags from Traverse City-based Grand Traverse Industries.
• Bio-friendly room cleaners from EcoLab
• Donate used linens to veterinary clinics
• Energy efficient light bulbs for all Hotel and Tower guest rooms
• Earth-friendly bleach alternative for laundry
• Resort-wide ink recycling and refill program for departments
• New high-efficiency boiler system to warm water
• Recycle used copper and other materials when available
• Grow own herbs on-site for culinary use
• Restaurant menus printed on recycled paper
• And, many other environmentally-friendly practices

Environmental Milestones
*In 2006, following a multi-year effort, we achieved certification from the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program for eco-friendly practices on our 900 acres including three championship golf courses including The Bear designed by Jack Nicklaus, The Wolverine by Gary Player and our original resort course, Spruce Run.

*Then, in the summer of 2007, we took it a further step, by retrofitting several pieces of golf course maintenance equipment with catalytic converters, an innovative program that received recognition by the Environmental Institute for Golf.

*In fall of 2007 we expanded our eco-friendly efforts to the entire resort by seeking ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle beyond what we already had been doing. Michigan has a beverage bottle and can return law, and the Resort already had been participating in that program, and we had been recycling cardboard and glass for years. But we expanded the program to recycle clean office paper, magazines, newspapers, non-beverage metal cans, and plastic. Recycle bins were placed in key resort departments and offices.
*Also, one key department that used to use volumes of paper, Conference Services, took their systems electronic, thereby greatly reducing the amount of paper and photocopying needed to communicate information about functions for groups that meet here. 

*Further, we are retrofitting lighting fixtures with energy efficient bulbs, and seeking other ways to reduce the Resort’s carbon footprint without reducing service to our guests.

*In 2008, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa partnered with the Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay to monitor and protect Acme Creek, that courses through the Resort grounds and is a tributary in the 973 square mile Grand Traverse Bay watershed.

Environmental Accolades

• 2008 Green Lodging Michigan: Leader Certification
• 2006 Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program - Certified Environmental Steward
• 1998 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America - Environmental Stewardship Award
• 1997 Audubon International: Cooperative Sanctuary Certification
• 1995 Traverse Area Recreational Trail: 2.5 Acres Wetlands Mitigation
• 1992 Michigan Chamber of Commerce: Environmental Quality Award
• 1989 Michigan Recycling Coalition: Business Recycler of the Year
• 1982 Michigan Outdoor Writers: Clean Waters Award