20 May 2015
Sustainability Reigns Supreme at Kingsmill

Kingsmill Resort

Strong in its commitment to preserve the environment, Kingsmill Resort dedicated 40 percent of its space of 2,900 acres overlooking the James River in Williamsburg to environmentally‐friendly initiatives. Because of this dedication, Kingsmill was quickly certified as Virginia Green and is listed with Preferred Hotels and Resorts as an eco‐friendly resort.

  • Kingsmill Resort is a certified property with Virginia Green. Virginia Green, a statewide program supported by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association, awards green certification to tourism businesses such as hotels, restaurants and attractions that take important steps to reduce harmful environmental effects.
  • Since 1998, Kingsmill's three golf courses – The River Course, The Plantation Course and The Woods Course – are “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries.” The organization awards certification to recognized program members that demonstrate their commitment to environment quality by meeting required standards for protecting the environment, conserving natural resources, and wildlife habitats. Natural habitats of bald eagles, hawks, and other endangered birds are protected and not disturbed.
  • Kingsmill works closely with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Environmental Quality to construct and preserve a stream on hole #5 of The River Course. The man‐made stream was returned to its natural state where native vegetation keeps it clean from debris and safe from erosion.
  • Rain water and irrigation runoff is funneled from Kingsmill's parking lots, roadways and golf courses into irrigation pond. That water is used to water the golf courses and landscaping.
  • Kingsmill's marina landscaping requires no fertilizers or pesticides, which is as important to the environment as it is to showcasing the natural beauty and growing habits of these native plants. Resort staff aim to have it become an example to property owners, landscape designers, and landscape contractors alike of how the use of native plants can not only provide beauty, but help to preserve the environment that we all share and must preserve for future generations.
  • The entire fleet of landscaping equipment and golf carts is cleaned without the use of soap or other cleaning agents. Team members spray the machines with recycled water, captured from the irrigation system. The machines are only cleaned on a wash‐down pad, where the water is filtered for grass clippings before it drains into a sanitary sewer line.
  • Kingsmill washes at least 20,000 golf balls each day without using soap or other cleaning agents.  Team members spray the golf balls with recycled water, captured from the irrigation system.
  • Kingsmill Resort recycles. Each year, the resort recycles nearly 35 tons of aluminum, 12 tons of cardboard, 4 tons of cooking oil, and 1.25 tons of paper. Kingsmill has recycling bins in all banquet rooms handles the trash collected in each room. Throughout the resort, the recycling program captures other items like:
    • Glass
    • Plastic oil 
    • Motor
    • Light bulbs
    • Tires
    • Batteries
    • Consumer trash
  • The Kingsmill restaurants practice strict usage of gas, electricity and water. For example, sauces are cooled with cool sticks instead of running water. Kingsmill also uses a European‐style bakery oven that only uses electricity when baking instead of all day like conventional‐style ovens. Also, all of the to-go service ware and plastic ware is recyclable.
  • To reduce paper waste, Kingsmill produces consumer materials electronically.
  • Every fallen tree and branch is turned into mulch and used around the resort.
  • All guest rooms are accommodated with optional linen service. The introduction of this program has reduced the water and energy used throughout the laundry operations. Also in the guest rooms and suites, glasses and mugs are provided as opposed to disposables to reduce the amount of waste generated.

Surrounded by natural landscapes and breathtaking scenery, Kingsmill's dedication to ecofriendly initiatives is a natural fit. While resort guests enjoy comfortable accommodations boasting refined luxury, they can pride themselves in knowing they are taking part in protecting the environment. 

Kingsmill Resort is an AAA FourDiamond property and a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide – a global association of the world's finest independent luxury hotels. Kingsmill Resort is located in Williamsburg, Va., between Richmond and Norfolk, and is easily accessible via I64. Situated along the historic James River, Kingsmill Resort is conveniently located minutes away from Colonial Williamsburg, adjacent to Busch Gardens, with easy access to Water Country USA, Jamestown and Yorktown. For media information and complimentary images, visit www.kingsmillnews.com. Follow Kingsmill on Twitter and on Facebook.

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