Living Green
Highland Lake Inn & Resort is devoted to protecting and preserving our environment. We are also passionate about sustainability and organic gardening and are an Energy Star Partner. We will continue to find more efficient and environmentally sensitive ways to use our energy resources and to offer our guests an environmentally friendly place to stay for years to come.
Highland Lake Inn & Resort has created and actively implements the following environmental practices:
DOING LESS WITH MORE
We’ve committed to help improve the energy efficiency of America’s buildings by 10 percent or more through the ENERGY STAR Challenge. As we join the ranks of other leaders in energy efficiency, our energy savings are reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change. We’re delighted to help deliver a better world for not only our guests but everybody. Our hard work on energy efficiency today will yield a cleaner environment for everyone in the future. Want to join us in reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions? Visit www.energystar.gov to see what you can do to become more efficient at work and home.
SEASON’S RESTAURANT
For our award-winning restaurant, Season’s at Highland Lake, we make certain we use the most natural and organic processes and suppliers possible. We utilize the richest produce this area has to offer from our local suppliers. We avoid plastics and use compostable take-out containers and straws. In addition, Season’s at Highland Lake participates in the sustainable seafood program to ensure that the seafood we purchase was not harvested in environmentally damaging ways.
RECYCLING
We have recycling bins located throughout the resort and restaurant. All of the office supplies we use are recycled and we also use recycled paper for any printed products. The restaurant also recycles all kitchen grease and cooking oil. We use ceramic coffee cups or compostable corn cups instead of plastic or Styrofoam. We don’t use any Styrofoam containers on our property. Highland Lake Inn also recycles our compact fluorescent bulbs.
IN-ROOM ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES
Keeping Flat Rock beautiful, all of our facilities are strictly non-smoking. We encourage guests to use their towels multiple times before housekeeping picks them up to clean. We utilize bulk amenities dispensers for soaps and shampoos that eliminates the need and waste from small plastic bottles. Low-flow shower heads and adjustable toilet valves are used in the rooms to cut down on wasted water. Biodegradable products are used for room cleaning and no phosphates are used in our laundry. Motion sensor technology is being used throughout the property to lessen energy waste in unused rooms and common areas, as well as the use of LED bulbs whenever possible. We have eliminated the use of plastic bags in our in-room trash cans.
OTHER ENERGY-SAVING PRACTICES
Highland Lake Inn & Resort uses rechargeable batteries and also uses energy-efficient appliances for all new purchases. New HVAC units all have a SEER rating of 19 or higher. All new window purchases are dual pane and energy efficient. Our entire property uses energy-efficient LED bulbs. We have digital programmable set-back thermostats throughout the property. Reversible ceiling fans are used in our lodgings, office, and restaurant to preserve heating costs in the colder months. There are also no motorized boats permitted on our 30-acre lake.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION CERTIFIED
The National Wildlife Federation® (NWF) has recognized Highland Lake Inn as an official Certified Wildlife Habitat™ site. The property attracts a variety of birds, butterflies and other wildlife, while helping to protect the local environment. In order to become certified, a property must provide the four basic elements that all wildlife need: food, water, cover and places to raise young; and must employ sustainable gardening practices.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Earthday.org: Take Action
- seafoodwatch.org: Best & Worst Seafood Choices
- NRDC Green Living Toolkit
- Home Energy Audit Tool
SUPPORT
- Highland Lake Inn & Resort is happy to support these organizations that do so much to protect our earth, animals, and environment.
- Nature Conservancy
- Environmental Defense
- Sierra Club
- Natural Resources Defense Council
- World Wildlife Fund
WHAT ARE CARBON OFFSETS?
Greenhouse gases that cause global warming are produced from the burning of fossil fuels (gas and coal) that we use every day. Carbon offsets help balance carbon dioxide emissions by giving people the opportunity to purchase a product or service that either saves or stores the same equivalent of carbon dioxide, thereby offsetting the amount of CO2 emissions an individual produces. We encourage all of our guests to conserve first, and if you choose to offset, listed below are two companies that can help and inform you about making good decisions about this process.