It seems like everyone is claiming to be 'green' these days, but what does it really mean to be eco-friendly? With 82 percent of International SPA Association member spas offering recycling programs, 94 percent offering an organic product and 57 percent reporting they have an organic treatment on their spa menu, it's easy to see that the spa industry is serious about sustainability. The 40th anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, is the perfect time to educate yourself on the green practices that spas have implemented throughout the years, as well as celebrate the 20th anniversary of ISPA and its dedication to encouraging sustainability throughout the spa industry.
'Spas have been on the cutting edge of the green movement long before it was trendy, and they are dedicated to sustainability,' said ISPA President Lynne McNees. 'Spas have proven that the environment is a cause near to their hearts by incorporating sustainable practices into their product offerings, facilities and ways of conducting business.'
Greening Grows amongst ISPA members:
-- Member spas are replacing their old paper newsletters with electronic
versions, using energy-efficient light bulbs, purchasing recycled
office products, choosing glass or ceramic cups instead of styrofoam
in their relaxation areas, using non-toxic paint, installing low-flow
fixtures in their locker rooms, using water conservation in laundry
facilities and replacing paper towels with towels made from organic
fibers. Some spas are even obtaining LEED certification.
-- Spa cafes and restaurants are buying locally to reduce food miles,
using cloth napkins and gathering organic waste for compost in their
on-site gardens.
-- Spa-goers are looking for organic treatments and 57 percent of ISPA
member spas are providing them in treatments like facials, scrubs,
manicures and pedicures, all of which are designed for the
eco-conscious spa-goer.
-- And, 68 percent of ISPA Resource Partners (product companies) offer
organic products you can purchase in the spa.
The spas aren't the only ones practicing what they preach - The annual ISPA Conference & Expo chooses sustainable practices to ensure the Conference is a green event. ISPA makes conscious choices like posting presentation materials online, distributing reusable water bottles to be filled at water stations and selecting hotel properties like the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on the Potomac in Washington D.C. that implement eco-friendly practices. The Expo is made sustainable thanks to GES Exposition Services, which recycles carpet and padding used in the Expo, uses biodegradable trash bags and supplies wastebaskets made from 100 percent recycled materials.