The greening of Yellowstone

In 1997, when Yellowstone National Park celebrated its 125th anniversary, park management staff began thinking forward to the next 125 years and the sustainable efforts that would ensure the preservation and protection of Yellowstone. As a result, the concept of the "Greening of Yellowstone" was created. A private/public partnership was created to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS). The program, developed by the park in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency, provides guidance to the partners on how best to manage the environmental aspects of park activities, educate visitors and promote the latest technologies in a more effective and sustainable way, while also giving consideration to environmental protection, pollution prevention and socioeconomic needs.

In 2004, the EMS team identified its first large-scale initiative--solid waste management. Some of the guidelines introduced include Recycling opportunities for visitors. There are currently 63 recycling bins in the park, and it is estimated that there has been a 50 percent increase in the amount of commodities collected in the park, particularly plastics.

* Recycling propane cylinders. Through a partnership with Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone and Grand Teton concessionaires, the Yellowstone Park Foundation and various private entities, there is now a program of collecting and recycling propane cylinders in the greater Yellowstone area. The Propane Bottle Recycler (PBR), a mobile propane recycling unit, is now being used to recycle the estimated 3,000, one-pound propane cylinders discarded in the park each year.

* Recycling tires. About 4,000 tires are discarded annually in Yellowstone. Since June, all used tires are being diverted from the landfill and being recycled.

* Recycling solid waste. The EMS goal is to divert 90 percent of the park's solid waste from the landfill by 2008. An estimated 75 percent has been diverted already this year.

* "GreenPath." Delaware North has implemented an employee "GreenPath" program throughout the park to reduce waste, increase recycling and the use of non-toxic cleaning products; stocking merchandise with recycled content, biodegradability and minimum packaging.

Other sustainable efforts Yellowstone and its partners have undertaken include:

* Boardwalk replacement. Replacing some of Yellowstone's pressure-treated wood boardwalks with alternative, sustainable materials.

* Alternative fuels. Using biodiesel and other alternative fuels and vegetable-based lube and hydraulic oils in many of its vehicles. Additionally, all diesel-powered vehicles used by park employees use a 20 percent blend of canola-derived biodiesel and petroleum diesel. Gasoline-powered vehicles in the park use an ethanol blend (E-10).

* Hybrid vehicles. In 2004, Toyota USA donated four Prius vehicles to the park. These vehicles operate with electricity generated by the gasoline engines and braking systems.

* Employee Ride-Share Program. Approximately 45 employees participate in a Ride-Share Program that helps reduce fuel consumption, improve safety by decreasing traffic on the road and ease parking constraints in the park.

* Green cleaning products. Since 1998, the park and its partners have switched from more than 130 products with health or environmental risks to less than 10 products that are unsafe for people and the environment.