Some elements of GreenPath® are highly technical. Others are quite basic, like the installation of bulk dispensers for amenities (conditioner, shampoo, soap and lotion) in our guest rooms, and for condiments in our quick-serve food facilities. At Yosemite, we’ve replaced virtually all toxic cleaning products used in housekeeping, retail outlets, housing operations, High Sierra Camps, and other locations with a line of non-toxic, bio-degradable products.

We’ve implemented a program that utilizes re-refined oil in our fleet of over 250 vehicles (tour buses, visitor shuttles and support vehicles). We took the program further, arranging for waste oil generated from vehicle maintenance to be processed for re-refinement.

We continue to test and experiment with a B-20 bio-diesel fuel product and research alternatives to coolants and lubricants. Whereas one quart of petroleum-based bar oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of water, one quart of canola-based bar oil is potable in 1,000 gallons of water. This knowledge prompted us to work with the National Park Service to convert the chainsaws and winch cables used in Yosemite’s operations to the more environmentally friendly oil.

We’ve introduced zero-emissions vehicles and worked with Ford Motor Company on the largest grant of zero-emissions vehicles the automobile manufacturer has ever made.

Our waste diversion programs incorporate recycling, reuse, organic waste diversion, educational programs, sustainable building and green purchasing practices. Delaware North has established a variety of partnerships to recycle items such as used mattresses, toiletries, uniforms and office equipment and to ensure safe disposal of computer monitors, computer disks and alkaline batteries. In addition, the company has substituted environmentally unfriendly products with recycled-content and/or bio-degradable products for use in foodservice facilities, retail outlets and offices.

We’re helping more than the environment with a program at Sequoia National Park. Working with the Tulare County Conservation Corps (TCCC), a nonprofit skills development and training resource, and the National Park Service, we’ve set up recycling containers throughout the park, and established a collection system that benefits TCCC’s youth programs.

We also provide satellite recycling containers and collection service at two local schools in Yosemite National Park with the proceeds at each school benefiting school programs. The award-winning recycling program has earned Yosemite Concession Services the “Top 10 Waste Reduction Program of the Year” award (Fall 2000) from the California Environmental Protection Agency. Elements of the program include: a sustained diversion rate of over 43 percent, the recycling of 33 different materials, diversion of 13 additional materials through reuse and organic waste diversion, park-wide beverage container deposit of 5 cents to encourage recycling, convenience and accessibility exemplified by over 100 drop-off locations parkwide, two recycling centers, and office, associate housing, kitchen and hotel guest room recycling, and interpretive messages and signage to reinforce and encourage park stewardship.

2001 was the first year of operation for DNC at Yosemite's most visible and largest recycling center, a new 8-foot-by-24-foot building located in Yosemite Village. The facility was constructed with sustainable materials, including roofing composed of used tires, and wood from “hazard trees” in the park that were milled for its construction.

DNC at Yosemite is also working cooperatively with Mariposa County, the National Park Service (NPS) and the California Environmental Protection Agency to develop a state-of-the-art co-composting facility for municipal solid waste, sewer sludge and septage. At present, the facility is on the drawing boards. The facility could potentially improve Yosemite National Park’s waste reduction by an additional 30 percent.