Green Business Network Tenants Recognized by Port

Dec 06, 2019

CONTACT: Marguerite Elicone, melicone@portofsandiego.org

The Port of San Diego has recognized six tenant businesses for their commitment to sustainable operations and the environmental protection of San Diego Bay. The tenants are members of the Port’s Green Business Network and were honored at the Port’s 2019 Green Business Network Sustainable Achievement Award Ceremony held December 4, 2019.

General Dynamics NASSCO, the San Diego Convention Center, Pasha Distribution Services, Next Level Sailing, Hilton San Diego Bayfront and Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island all received accolades from the Port for their green initiatives.

“The Port of San Diego appreciates the dedication these six tenants have displayed in their efforts to keeping San Diego Bay and its surrounding lands healthy,” said Garry Bonelli, Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners. “Practicing sustainability in their day-to-day operations is helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions around the Port’s areas, resulting in a healthier environment for all.”

Launched in 2010, the Port’s Green Business Network is a voluntary sustainability program open to Port tenants and subtenants. It provides free education and resources, as well as hands-on support to these businesses to help them improve sustainability practices. Currently, more than 80 tenants are participating in the program.

Additional information about the honorees for the 2019 Green Business Network Sustainable Achievement Awards is as follows:

Energy Efficiency – General Dynamics NASSCO

General Dynamics is currently participating in a two-year Strategic Energy Management Program. The company also hosted a two-day Energy Treasure Hunt where energy efficient capital projects were identified by employees that included more than 100 opportunities to reduce energy use. Fourteen of these have been implemented, which reduced cumulative energy consumption by 1.9 million kilowatt hours.

Waste Management – San Diego Convention Center

The San Diego Convention Center installed an on-site, custom-fabricated recycling system which can sort 30 tons of material in an eight-hour period. Staff members from every department were invited to volunteer in the recycling process. This gave employees the opportunity to witness how much waste is generated from large conventions and gave them an understanding of the importance of recycling. Another success for the Convention Center was to work with a variety of recycling processors to increase the number of materials that could be recycled. In 2018, the Convention Center had a waste diversion rate of 52 percent. Their goal is to increase this diversion rate to 75 percent by the end of 2020.

Clean Transportation – Pasha Distribution Services

Pasha Distribution Services has installed nine electric vehicle chargers this past year with the assistance of San Diego Gas & Electric’s SB 350 program. Another achievement of Pasha’s was to implement shuttle operations from the National City Marine Terminal to offsite storage locations using two BYD electric drayage trucks received through the San Diego Port Tenants Association’s California Energy Commission grant. Pasha will also be receiving a third BYD electric drayage truck through the Southern California Air Quality Management District grant.

Overall Small Company – Next Level Sailing

Next Level Sailing has a 139-foot sailboat, the Yacht America, that they use for winter whale watching and bay tours. The vessel is powered by wind and clean diesel power and runs off battery power for LED lighting, toilet operations, running water and microwave use. During winter whale watching trips, which are usually four hours in duration, the vessel burns as little as 10 gallons of fuel. Next Level Sailing has also implemented a strict recycling program with a recycling receptacle for guests to use and plans to continue to address onboard plastic waste in the upcoming year.

Overall Large Company – Hilton San Diego Bayfront

This past year, Hilton San Diego Bayfront replaced 550 fluorescent lights in the “back of the house” operations with LED lights. By the end of 2019, they will begin a project that will replace 6,250 lightbulbs with LED lights in its iconic Lightwall. The hotel also replaced all showerheads in its 1,190 guestrooms with lower flow showerheads. Also in 2019, the hotel culinary team began tracking food waste with the Leanpath tool provided by a grant program from Smart Kitchens of San Diego. The data collected from the Leanpath tool has assisted with ordering procedures and event planning. Hilton San Diego Bayfront also partnered with P.A.T.H. (People Aiding the Homeless) to donate food left over from events to individuals and families. Since summer 2019, the hotel has donated more than 2,500 pounds of food.

Employee Engagement – Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island

In 2019, Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island participated in the Port’sGreen Employee Engagement Campaign (GEEC). The program was designed to encourage energy and water efficiency through employee education and engagement in the workplace. The friendly competition inspired energy saving actions at work and at home. Overall, participants completed 91 percent of the energy-saving actions included in the competition.

In addition to Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island, three other Green Business Network members participated in the GEEC program. These were the San Diego Convention Center, Sun Harbor Marina, and CP Kelco. Upon conclusion, 15 lessons were delivered, 186 employees participated and nearly 2,000 energy-saving actions were taken.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO
The Port of San Diego serves the people of California as a specially created district, balancing multiple uses on 34 miles along San Diego Bay spanning five cities. Collecting no tax dollars, the Port manages a diverse portfolio to generate revenues that support vital public services and amenities.

The Port champions Maritime, Waterfront Development, Public Safety, Experiences and Environment, all focused on enriching the relationship people and businesses have with our dynamic waterfront. From cargo and cruise terminals to hotels and restaurants, from marinas to museums, from 22 public parks to countless events, the Port contributes to the region’s prosperity and remarkable way of life on a daily basis.

ABOUT PORT OF SAN DIEGO ENVIRONMENT
Port of San Diego Environment champions the safekeeping and environmental care of our diverse ecosystems. Year after year, environmental goals are set and measured to evolve environmental initiatives – ensuring San Diego Bay remains a vibrant resource and contributes to a remarkable way of life for visitors and residents for generations to come.

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