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Auditors perform rigorous site inspections every six months to ensure that YCS is maintaining 14001 standards. Compliance with environmental regulations, environmental management program progress, and employee awareness of the environmental management system are verified during site inspections by third party auditors. ISO believes that all components of an active management system need to be reflected throughout the organization for effectiveness.
ISO (the Intemational Organization for Standardization) is a non-governmental organization established in 1947 to promote the development of standardization and related activities in the world with a view to facilitating the international exchange of goods and services, and to developing cooperation in the spheres of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity.
ISO 14001 is primarily concerned with environmental management. Fundamentally, this includes what the organization does to minimize harmful effects on the environment caused by its activities. The standards are driven by compliance with environmental laws and management programs designed to mitigate environmental impacts.
YCS has incorporated the ISO 14001 program in all its business operations. Many initiatives were launched as a result of ISO 14001 compliance, and all were designed to reduce operational impacts to Yosemite's environment. The over-riding goal of YCS's ISO 14001 registration is protection of Yosemite National Park for the future.
Among the initiatives and practices undertaken by YCS in support of ISO 14001 are the following:
All new products
are given an environmental review;
Sidewalks are swept to conserve water rather than washed down;
Night watering plan for landscaped areas;
Use of low-flow showerheads and toilets;
Installation of waterless urinals
Two-sided copying;
Used office paper is re-used in faxes and computers;.
Replacement of cleaning products with biodegradable and non-caustic cleaners;
10,000 compact fluorescent bulbs were installed to conserve energy;
Installation of light sensors and timers;
Light fixtures replaced with T-8 fluorescent fixtures;
Bulk dispensing of guest amenities;
Bulk dispensing of condiments in fast food operations;
Printed materials on recycled content paper with soy based inks;
In-room recycling containers;
Conversion of gas engines to propane;
Replacement of combustible engine vehicles with electric vehicles;
Testing of big-diesel fuel;
All vehicles operate on re-refined oil and antifreeze;
Use of canola based lubricant for chain saws;
Canola based hydraulic fluid used in heavy equipment;
Retail items are evaluated for environmental friendliness;
No lead fishing weights are sold;
No Styrofoam products sold or used;
Styrofoam packaging returned to vendor;
Hazardous trees are milled and used in in-park construction;
Installation of recycled and recyclable carpet;
Replacement of solvent parts cleaners with non-hazardous enzyme parts cleaner;
Use of non-hazardous chemicals and practices for rodent control;
Guest linen reuse option;
Donation of used bicycles to employees;
Asset disposal through donation for reuse rather than landfill;
Switched to bio-degradable chemicals for 26 boilers;
Use of only water based paints;
Use of single-side-printed paper in fax machines;
Recycling of 43 different products;
Diversion of 43.5% of waste from landfill;
Security patrols on bicycle rather than combustible engine vehicle;
Use of recycled-plastic furniture and decks;
Sustainable building products considered in all construction and remodel projects;
and
Interpretive and educational materials and programs for
employees and visitors
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