Preserving Lake Tahoe
Think of us as Greenlibakken
At Granlibakken, we work with our community and visitors to preserve our area’s natural beauty, with a focus on:
- Improving, restoring and managing our natural habitat
- Conserving water and energy
- Reducing our waste stream
- Promoting awareness and greener lifestyles among guests and employees
How do we do this? Our Green Purchasing Policy guides Granlibakken employees to follow more environmentally sustainable procedures. This includes reducing energy and water consumption, minimizing and properly disposing hazardous material, and reducing waste through recycling and minimizing the use of disposable products.
Check out our Green Purchasing Policy to learn more about our commitment to protecting the environment.
Environmental Awards & Recognition
Sierra Business Council – Green Business Certification
Granlibakken is proud to be the 1st business certified in Tahoe as Green by the Sierra Business Council in September of 2019. We are committed to joining our greater Tahoe Basin leaders in environmental policy by setting an example with our green purchasing policy and responsible forest management. We also look for ways to meet and exceed all current environmental laws and regulations and reduce waste with practices such as eliminating single-use plastic products as much as possible. Learn more about how your business can become a California Green Certified Business.
US Department of Energy
Placer County was recognized by the Department of Energy as a leader in energy efficiency, and Granlibakken was named as the showcase project for their efforts. We couldn’t be more proud that our hard work implementing energy efficiency measures has been recognized.
“All over the United States, cities and counties like Placer County are overcoming unique energy efficiency challenges by deploying comprehensive and flexible solutions,” said Maria Vargas, director of the Better Buildings Challenge. “Placer County’s Granlibakken Tahoe is a great example of energy efficiency at work in our nation’s buildings: innovative financing, public-private partnerships and high-tech solutions.”
Cool California Small Business Award Winner
Granlibakken Tahoe was one of 19 businesses selected for the Cool California Small Business Award. We were recognized for our efforts in environmental sustainability, specifically, partnership with mPower and Placer County to make efficiency upgrades to kitchen appliances and the heating system in the conference center. More about the award.
Placer County’s Best in the Basin
Granlibakken Tahoe was awarded for becoming a greener hotel in conjunction with the Sierra Business Council, Placer County, and the Department of Energy’s mPOWER project to upgrade outdated appliances and systems with new, energy-efficient equipment.
Tahoe-Truckee Sierra Disposal’s Composting Program
Granlibakken committed to composting all organic food waste from the kitchen and conference center through the Tahoe-Truckee Sierra Disposal’s yellow-bag composting pilot program, a test for effectiveness in the region to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste that ends up in landfills.
Listings and links
Granlibakken is uniquely located, surrounded by the Tahoe National Forest. Local, state and federal agencies work with us to restore the natural balance, improve the habitat for forest wildlife and promote fire safety with defensible space.
- North Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD)
- Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA)
- United States Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
Replacing outdated lighting and appliances with more energy-efficient systems is key to energy conservation. Granlibakken relies on the experts for recommendations. In 2015, working with Placer County Tax Collector and the mPower Program to invest County Tax revenues to meet County Energy Reduction Goals, Granlibakken completed a pilot program with the County to encourage retrofitting of older buildings to achieve significant energy use reductions. This included the replacement of all commercial refrigeration, all conference center boilers and all conference center air condition equipment with the latest in energy efficient equipment.
- Liberty Utilities
- Utility Energy Forum
- Sustainable Energy Solutions
- Placer County Tax Collector and the mPower Program
Recycling reduces Granlibakken’s environmental impact. Granlibakken recycles batteries, ink cartridges, light bulbs and road sand. Additionally, Placer County, where Granlibakken is located, uses a one-bin system, where all recyclables, biodegradable materials, and hazardous waste are separated at the facility. The one-bin system has increased the number of recyclables diverted from the waste stream by about 20% since 2007. Watch this video to learn more about the one-bin system.
Shared transportation also reduces our carbon footprint. Granlibakken partners with the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association and Placer County Public Transportation (TART) to provide shuttles to Tahoe City,Emerald Bay and ski areas. We also encourage carpooling, using winter ski area shuttles, and taking not-so-mass transit around the Tahoe Basin and to Reno.
- North Lake Tahoe Express
Shuttle to Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
- Tahoe Area Regional Transit
Bus service along 30 miles of Lake Tahoe shoreline, including Tahoma, Homewood, Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Incline Village.
For environmental inspiration, the Barker Pass to Tahoe City segment of the volunteer-maintained, multi-use Tahoe Rim Trail borders Granlibakken.
- Tahoe Rim Trail
Promoting healthy, environmentally responsible outdoor recreation and providing access to the beauty of the Lake Tahoe region.