The Basics of a Sound Green Program for Your Spa
By Melinda Minton
**Green History, Standards and Certification Systems** As most of us know by now living, building and consuming all take a toll on our natural environment. Chemical emissions, land clearing, wasting water, abusing top soil and poisoning our environment without concern is simply no longer acceptable. In the spa arena these abrasive surfactants, harsh cleaning items, linens and sundries washed with harsh and allergenic detergents. HVAC systems that do not consider emissions from salon services, manicure and pedicure services spray tanning and some aesthetic services. Buildings have extensive direct and indirect impacts on the environment. During their construction, occupancy, renovation, repurposing, and demolition, buildings use energy, water, and raw materials, generate waste, and emit potentially harmful atmospheric emissions. These facts have prompted the creation of green building standards, certifications, and rating systems aimed at mitigating the impact of buildings on the natural environment through sustainable design. Green product standards also began to appear in the marketplace in the 1980s and increased in the 1990s. Initially, many green product standards were developed in response to growing concerns for product toxicity and its impact on the population’s health and indoor environmental quality (IEQ). In the 21st century, when growing concerns over global warming and resource depletion became more prominent and supported by research, the number and type of green product standards and certifications grew. The focus also expanded to include a broader range of environmental issues and the impacts of products during their manufacture, use, and reuse. While there is still no universal definition of a green product, these products are intended to meet claims that they offer environmental benefits and adhere to certain standards. Similarly, the move to the move to organic produce there has been a blur of what is green and what isn’t. For instance “locally grown,” which of course is a wonderful opportunity to support local farmers, isn’t always organic. The push toward sustainable design increased in the 1990s with the creation of Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), the first green building rating system in the U.K. In 2000, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) followed suit and developed and released criteria also aimed at improving the environmental performance of buildings through its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system for new construction. Since that first release, LEED has continued to grow in prominence and to include rating systems for existing buildings and entire neighborhoods. Others also responded to the growing interest and demand for sustainable design including the Green Building Initiative (GBI), which was created to assist the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) in promoting its Green Building Guidelines for Residential Structures. Although originally developed for Canada, GBI helped to make Green Globes available for use in the U.S. in 2005. Additional rating systems have been developed that were influenced by these early programs but are tailored to their own national priorities and requirements or seek to go beyond the limits of current policy and building practices to address broader issues of sustainability or evolving concepts such as net zero energy, and living and restorative building concepts that improve the natural environment, or those that model nature's processes. While the United States government has largely embraced the LEED building standard would be delayed until the market was ready to “absorb” the change. In contrast, two days after this announcement an alternative to LEED won the 2012 Buckminster Fuller Challenge for pushing the building industry “to reimagine business as usual.” **How Green is Green?** The Living Building Challenge, as it is known, is gaining stature as the most stringent green building standard in the world. But since its inception in 2006 the challenge has only fully certified three buildings and partially certified two others, raising the question of whether it will be a trendsetting project in the world of green design, or little more than an elite initiative with faint real-world impact. The Hawaii Preparatory Academy Energy Lab or HPA functions as a zero-net-energy, fully sustainable building and is a wonderful example of going green. The problem is—how possible is this beautifully designed building is for the majority of existing buildings and facilities in process or franchises that already have a prototype of their locations with materials, budgets and specific timelines for roll out. One of the core distinguishing features of the Living Building Challenge is its performance-based accreditation: While other environmental standards pre-certify buildings based on conformance of design specifications with best practices, the Living Building Challenge approves buildings only after a rigorously documented 12-month occupancy phase. The Living Building Challenge monitors 20 so-called design “imperatives” across seven categories: site, water, energy, health, materials, social equity, and beauty. These imperatives, which include mandates like net-zero energy and water use, must be maintained over the full trial year of occupancy. Perhaps the most challenging of the 20 is the Red List of materials, which bans 14 material types, including halogenated flame retardants, PVC plastics, and chlorofluorocarbons. Projects must prove their exclusion of these materials through supplier audits for every product used in construction. While the Living Building Challenge demonstrates intensive documentation requirements that go well beyond a one-time certification, pushing architecture and design to be more progressive, sustainable, and accountable, the program is out of reach of many commercial projects. Many would say that this type of standard is of course ideal from a green standpoint but misses the mark when addressing the majority of new and transitional building and business operations. In the last five years there has been a proliferation of green standards, guidelines and certification programs in the marketplace to help guide, demonstrate, and document efforts to deliver sustainable, high-performance buildings. At this writing there are just over 600 green product certifications in the world with nearly 100 in use in the U.S. with that number increasing monthly. There are also green building rating programs in use around the world and they vary in their approach with some outlining prerequisites and optional credits, while others take a prescriptive approach, and still others suggest performance-based requirements that can be met in different ways for different products and project types. As a result, it can be challenging overwhelming determining which standards, certifications, and rating programs are most credible and applicable to a to a hotel, resort or spa project. **Basics of a Sound Green Program:** *(As according to SPAA--The Spa Association)* **Sustainability Management System (SMS)** The first step toward embracing sustainable business practices entails creating a sustainability management system (SMS) that includes transparent, documented policies and procedures, implementation and communication plans. A well written sustainability policy will define and clearly communicate organizational goals and objectives as they relate to the business‚ environmental, socio-cultural, and economic performance. The primary purpose of the sustainability management plan is to guide decision-making, management, and the daily operations of the business in a sustainable manner. **Legal Compliance** The business must be in compliance with all relevant international or local legislation and regulations. This includes health, safety, labor, scope of practice, trade certification or licensing, business licensure and adherence to regional and civic protocols. Products must be sourced in accordance to fair trade, organic (if so claimed), and sustainable resources. Packaging and claims of efficacy must follow global standards as well as those regulatory standards in the regions or countries marketed and sold in. International and local legislation and regulation address many of the social and environmental negative practices associated with tourism operations. These include major labor conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO) covering freedom of association, no child labor, no forced or bonded labor, no discrimination, health and safety, work hours and minimum pay. This criteria is not an alternative to government regulation and national labor legislation, rather it is a complementary instrument that fills voids in the application, adherence and enforcement of critical social and environmental protections. Training of Staff and Employees Personnel must receive periodic training regarding their role in the management of environmental, sociocultural, health, and safety practices. The success of the business’ sustainability management system depends on the effective integration and internalization of the system by employees at all levels. A defined training program for all employees on the SMS aspects will enable employees to understand the business’ goals and objectives, why they’re important, and how they can positively contribute to the business’ efforts in each of their individual roles. Conversely, employee ownership of the practices and culture of the organization as well as commentary from team members strengthens the mission of the business and refines specific practices of the operation. **Customer Services** Customer service and the integrity that is extended in every act of the business and each team member is paramount when offering a service or product in any environment. Customer satisfaction and care is measured in a number of objective and subjective ways with constructive criticism and provisions for corrective action. The customer is the central focus of any wellness, spa, hospitality, medical spa, fit/club spa or tourism experience. Satisfaction should be eagerly sought in order to foment trust within the industry and growth of consumer preferences to those buinesses providing seamless customer care, transparent management directives and communication with both staff and customers throughout the experience. Additionally, the customer provides a unique perspective on the business’ operations that management and business employees may not be able to provide. The business tools used to monitor customers’ satisfaction with internal operations, relations with the community and other stakeholders, and the effectiveness of sustainable programs enable the business to make improvements on a regular basis. The marriage of customer, manager and employee creates a unique bond with commitment made by all to constant and never ending improvement. **Marketing Accuracy and Promotional Integrity** While marketing is often imaginative, emotive and shows the best aspects of a facility, property, product or service, all attempts should be made to honestly portray the customer’s expected experience. Promotional materials should be complete stating any clauses to general conditions in a noticeable and easy to understand manner. Sustainable strategies should be explained as well as suggestions as to how the guest or customer can take part in recycling, usage of water, use of linens, future purchasing options and easy to implement strategies that mesh with sustainable living. Furthermore, guests should be educated on their stay at a property concerning provisions to care for the natural flora and fauna as well as respect for the indigenous nature of cultures, people and habitats. **Zoning, Design and Construction** Compliance with local land acquisition, land rights legislation, local zoning and protected, historical, heritage, environmental area and regional requirements is a must before the planning and implementation of construction or project expansion. Land used for buildings and operations should be acquired respecting established norms, provisions and local legislation. Local zoning defines how activities can be carried out in a community reflecting the community’s social, economic, and environmental needs, balanced with long-term sustainability. Alteration of protected and designated heritage sites should be carefully considered. Oftentimes consideration of national, local, international and regional regulations are provided for with building permits with legal requirements. Where building or interior build-out is concerned The Spa Association has specific requirements for products used in finishings, core and exterior materials. Design is left to the architectural team with assistance as needed from appropriate resources and directives. Tourism operations must consider these zoning and area requirements to optimize community development plans, while minimizing impact. Use locally appropriate principles of sustainable construction and design while respecting the natural and cultural surroundings. Local environmentally and economically sound design and development techniques should be integrated throughout any facility and operation for minimizing natural resource impacts as well as consideration of the potential socio-cultural and economic benefits. It is suggested that a local individual, company or advisory source is included in decisions involving appropriate tools and materials that minimize environmental impact and feature the natural beauty of the area or consider the indigenous aspects into the building and design. The project should utilize appropriate technologies and systems that will create a no to low impact on the surroundings and leave a zero to very minimal carbon footprint. Education of all members of the construction, build out and operations/management crew should be comprehensive so that installation, maintenance and use of all fixtures, equipment and design elements are performed correctly minimizing human and functional error. Enhancing the aesthetic, cultural, historic, and natural assets of a destination as well as ensuring that built structures and operations do not negatively impact adjoining lands and people is also an important factor in sustainable design. All concerned stakeholders and community members should be involved in the process of adoption and implementation of sustainable construction principles and materials. This will likely be a part of the zoning considerations but in some countries and regions the business creating the facility and or property should make this a priority. Universal access to facilities and services should be given to those with physical challenges and/or special needs. **Facilitation and Interpretation** Information about and interpretation of the natural surroundings, local culture, and cultural heritage is provided to customers, as well as explaining appropriate behavior while visiting natural areas, living cultures, and cultural heritage sites. Interpretation of the natural and cultural environment is crucial for protecting the environment. Furthermore, educating visitors and consumers protects the sanctity of norms, values, heritage, and culture of the indigenous culture in which a property is created. Likewise, a key factor for a high quality consumer or guest enjoyment is often held in the experience, relationships, and memories of the place visited , AND . Providing information to the customer to educate and inform about the surroundings is a key factor for guest users, the environment and the staff. Likewise, a spa treatment or product holds the same unique value in honoring the culture from which the practice or product was derived while educating the spa guest and staff as to the history, and meaning born into the spa’s offerings. **Mission, Communications and Operations** The business will clearly document and then communicate policies, programs, standards, rules and initiatives. A clearly written gathering of documents will outline and explain the organizational goals and objectives as they relate to the business’ environmental, socio-cultural, and economic performance. It is important that all stakeholders including management, employees, customers and the local community understand the business’ goals and objectives, why they’re important, and how they can positively contribute to the business’ efforts in each of their individual roles. Additionally, it is crucial to have concise policies that are positive outcome driven so the guest or consumer knows what to expect and in turn the team member knows what is expected of their duties. **Health and Safety** It is imperative that the business and spa follow health and safety guidelines for the protection of the guests, staff and all of those in other ways exposed to the facility. Appropriate garments must be worn to protect the feet. Wet areas should be marked as such or floors should be in some way finished to provide reasonable traction. Practitioners should be given protection for eyes, hands or torso if performing duties that might expose them to acidic, enzymatic solutions, peroxides, natural tints, colorants, alginates or active clays/mud. Toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate should be strictly prohibited from the property and/or practice. All products, tools and sundries should be stored in sanitized containers that are sealed, labeled and dated. For more specific spa safety and guidelines please refer to Spa Secure, www.thespaassociation.com/spasecure. **Saving Money** - Collective guest room energy usage typically exceeds 50% of the property’s utility bill. Green measures could decrease the facility’s energy usage by 10% which equates to an increase in RevPAR by $0.60 for limited service hotels and by more than $2.00 for full-service hotels. - Your spa’s numbers are even more radical when it comes to saving on green. On aesthetic services alone the savings average out to $3.00 a treatment. - Massage services can be lowered by $2.35 per treatment. - Body treatments which often involve the most linens, water, and utilities consumption amount to a staggering savings. - Water costs at the spa can be huge both in the amount of water used and the heating/cooling considerations for thalassotherapy baths, hot/cold plunge pools, immersion pools and on and on. **Best Practices** As a guide to creating an environment that fully embraces the concepts of social and ecological responsibility, the following Best Practices have been established. - Full transparency, disclosure of ingredients on packaging - Independent 3rd party verified compliance to standards - No ingredients with significant environmental or safety concerns - No formaldehyde-donors, preservatives which have the potential to release formaldehyde - No phosphates, chlorine, or synthetic colors - No animal testing - 100% natural fragrances - No ingredients with moderate environmental or safety concerns - No DEA, MEA or TEA—surfactants that have the potential to contain nitrosamines and other impurities - No synthetic, petroleum-derived thickeners made from nonrenewable sources - Plant- and mineral-derived ingredients - No petroleum- derived ingredients - Using natural resources responsibly, and respecting the environment - Using processing and manufacturing that are clean and respectful of human health and environment - Integrating and developing the concept of formulating with consumer wellness in mind The Spa Association (SPAA) has taken into consideration both newly prescribed factors and some of the elements of existing green guidelines and standards in developing those criteria that are essential in creating a green wellness center, hotel, medical, hospital, resort spa or day spa. We have carefully researched the unique factors for various types of spas and created standards that are relatively easy to understand, budget and move towards or implement. Similarly we have gathered other standards for beauty care items, spa therapy products and sundry items and have borrowed some elements of green and organic food production, growing standards and harvesting practices.
