The Green Spa Network’s (GSN) First Annual Sustainability Awards were announced last night at the non-profit organization’s sixth annual congress, held at Sunriver Resort in Oregon. Auberge Resorts, Travaasa Resort (Austin, TX), and Crystal Mountain (Thompsonville, MI) were among the spa winners, as well as Michael Stusser of Osmosis Spa and Stacy Malkin of Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in the individual categories. Eleven winners were chosen from categories including green building, eco healthy culinary program, organic face & body products, sustainable resort and day spas, and sustainability leadership from individuals. GSN elected a panel of industry experts to vote, including Julie Keller, Editor in Chief of American Spa magazine, Mary Bemis, co-founder of Organic Spa magazine, and Sallie Fraenkel, vice president of SpaFinder.
"These eleven winners have set the standard for leadership and innovation in spa sustainability," says Deb Berlin, executive director of the Green Spa Network. "These awards are a testament to how a single person or organization can deliver wellness beyond the individual to the community and ultimately the planet.”
Presented by GSN President Roberto Arjona of Rancho La Puerta (Tecate, Mexico), this year’s winners are:
- Green Product Company of the Year - Intelligent Nutrients
- Leadership in Safe Personal Care -Stacy Malkan, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
- Eco-Healthy Culinary Leadership - Rancho La Puerta (Tecate, Mexico)
- Paul Moran Green Building Award – Bardessono (Yountville, CA)
- Excellence in Sustainable Programs (Waste Management) - Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa (Beaver Creek, CO)
- Sustainable Day Spa of the Year - Natural Body Spa & Shop (Atlanta)
- Holistic Wellness Center of the Year – Travaasa Austin (TX)
- Sustainable Resort Spa of the Year - Crystal Mountain Resort (Thompsonville, MI)
- Corporate Sustainability Leadership – Auberge Resorts
- Lifetime Sustainability Leadership – Robert Zimmer
- Green Spa Network Visionary Leadership – Michael Stusser
Details of the projects and initiatives that were awarded are available at www.greenspanetwork.org/news.