Conservation Methods
Our experience with environmentally sensitive construction and operations has provided a benchmark and continuous learning opportunity for Sleeping Lady and for our colleagues. Our efforts are concentrated in these areas:
Architecture and Building Methods
Recycle, recycle, recycle: In developing Sleeping Lady, one of most important criteria was to use recycled materials or materials from sustainable yield forests to the greatest extent possible.
Use of Existing Buildings -- Perhaps the greatest recycling effort resulted from the decision to save all buildings from the CCC camp as well as those later built by Camp Field, the two prior tenants of the Sleeping Lady site. Fourteen of the eighteen buildings originally on site in 1990 were physically moved to new locations to fit the new site plan and rebuilt to meet current building codes, including energy efficiency requirements
Wood -- The majority of the wood floors from the initial construction phase are fir flooring from recycled wood beams. The flooring in the Grotto is recycled heartwood yellow pine from beams salvaged from the original Sears building in Chicago. The music center project buildings have No.2 maple floors with narrow planks. Maple of this size is grown on a sustainable basis like an agricultural crop. Wainscoting and many of the sills are made from recycled fir beams salvaged from the old city hall and library in downtown Leavenworth.
Decking -- We have installed over 32,000 lineal feet of TREX decking which is made from recycled plastic grocery bags and hard wood chips from the furniture factories on the East Coast. The plastic and wood is fused together with heat and pressure without the use of any toxic binders. TREX does not require staining or regular maintenance thus greatly reducing maintenance costs and eliminating ground and water pollution from frequent treating required on wood decks.
Glass -- The bar counter and tables in the Grotto are made from recycled plate glass. Pella windows were chosen for their overall quality and energy efficiency and also their construction methods of using finger joint wood allowing for more efficient use of readily available wood stocks.
Construction Site Recycling -- Sleeping Lady established one of the early construction site recycling programs. We used an eight-foot tub grinder to grind all scrap wood and gypsum board for landscaping mulch keeping it out of the landfills. We recycled an estimated 1500 cubic yards of material during the initial construction that would otherwise have gone to the landfill. In 2000 and 2001 an entire small home went through the tub grinder in preparation for the construction of the music center buildings. The resulting mulch was used in the Meadow landscaping.
Coatings -- Water base paints and sealers have been used to the greatest extent possible to eliminate the use of petroleum products and reduce off gassing of chemical fumes. No stains are used on the deck.
Energy Conservation
Electrical energy is comparatively inexpensive in Chelan County. As we designed Sleeping Lady, we decided to make maximum use of electricity as our energy source with the understanding that we minimize its use through efficient design and operation, maximum insulation, and heat recovery.
Propane -- Propane is currently used for the main cooking stove in the kitchen as well as heating the pool.
Insulation -- The building design, together with the site plan, minimizes solar gain in the buildings during the hot summer months. Ten-inch foam panels insulate the ceilings and "blown-in" recycled cellulose insulation is used in all walls and ceilings. The cellulose insulation seals all air cavities eliminating the chimney effect in case of fire and provides superior sound insulation in the walls. Our cellulose insulation is made from recycled cardboard and computer paper. Some of the new construction will use cellulose insulation made from recycled paper from recycled gypsum board.
Lighting -- To the greatest extent possible, compact florescent lights are used both inside the buildings and for site lighting. Site lighting is kept low to allow enjoyment of the night skies. Motion and infrared sensors control some room lighting to minimize energy use when rooms are vacant. During 2001 we began to experiment with LED (light emitting diodes) for path lighting. LED technology, just emerging as a practical commercial lighting application, decreases electrical use by up to 70%. Our intention is to retrofit much of our site lighting with LED's as well as some of our building architectural lighting.
Heating/Cooling -- Oil-filled baseboard heating has been used extensively throughout the site due to its efficiency, safety and lack of sound as it cycles. The electric towel warmers in the sleeping rooms are also a part of the heating system. Air-to-air heat exchangers are used at various locations to preheat outside air with air being exhausted to save electrical energy. We have retrofit our guest rooms with ground source heat pumps for heating and cooling. This will decrease the electrical consumption for heating, provide cooling and also preheat the domestic water to decrease electrical use in water heaters. Imbedded electric coils in the concrete provide heating for our outside restrooms. Electric pads under the wood floor in the Sauna building keep the floors warm and building heated. Most of the buildings in the newly constructed music campus will use ground source heat pumps for heating and cooling. Cold water flowing through the irrigation canal will be used seasonally to help cool buildings by utilizing it in water to air heat pumps or directly circulating the water through radiators and blowers to directly cool the smaller buildings.
Laundry/Cleaning
Laundry -- This is typically one of the highest energy and water uses in the hospitality industry. We ask our guests to help us minimize our use of the laundry by not requesting linen and towel service each day. This service is provided if requested. Check the information in the room notebooks. No chlorine is used in our laundry to decrease the potential negative effects of chemical sensitivity.
Cleaners -- Products used to clean guest rooms and other areas of Sleeping Lady are chosen to eliminate or lessen the use of questionable chemicals such as chlorine whenever possible.
Waste Management
Composting -- Two Green Mountain Technology in-vessel composters are used to compost a high percentage of the organic wastes from our food services. Additionally a small amount of paper waste is ground and used in the compost as an absorbing material. Compost is used to fortify and improve the soil in our organic garden, which provides a seasonal supplement to the produce used by our dining facility.
Recycling -- Glass bottles were ground and used for a drainage medium or on rock paths. 60% of the grindings are sand and can be used for winter ice control. Aluminum, newspaper, cardboard, magazines and office paper are all recycled to the greatest extent possible.
Site Transportation
Electric vehicles are used by the food service, laundry and maintenance to service the 45 acres of developed area. Car-pools and the use of busses are encouraged for groups coming to Sleeping Lady. For safety and energy conservation as well as marketing purposes, we include charter bus transportation in many of our winter group rates.
Please Send Us Your Suggestions: Sleeping Lady is dedicated to improving its energy efficiency, pollution control and recycling programs. We welcome your suggestions and are always available to share our information with you. info@sleepinglady.com
