Sustainable Best Practices

Follow these sustainable best practices to make an impact both on and off the slopes by reducing waste, lowering emissions and shopping locally we can help do our part to keep our environment clean for the future.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Help USASA tread reduce our impact on the environment by following these tips to reduce waste. 

Here’s what you can do:

• Bring Reusables (Bottles, Bags, Utensils) - Reduce the amount of waste you create by using reusable products. Remember to keep reusable bags in your car for groceries, bring a reusable coffee mug to coffee shops, refill your reusable water bottle with Truckee tap, and pack reusable utensils for lunch on the slopes.
• Take Leftovers Home in a Reusable Box - Hate using single-use takeout boxes? Check with the restaurant or ski resort about taking home leftovers in a reusable container. This helps reduce single-use products!
• Compost Locally - About 25% of landfills are food scraps, according to the EPA, and when those organics decompose in an anaerobic environment, they produce potent greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide. Check to see if your host town or resort offers composting or compost dropoff locations.

Here’s what you can do:

• Take Ski Area Shuttles or Carpool - Use ski area shuttles to get to and from the competition venue or around town. If no shuttles are available, find a friend and carpool to reduce vehicle trips!
• Dine & Buy Local Farm Fresh Groceries - Choose restaurants and groceries that support locally grown food. Look for regenerative farming practices, a type of farming that helps mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gasses. 
• ‍Find an EV Charging Station - Have an EV? Find charging stations at ski areas or in town and plan your drive sustainably.

Here’s what you can do:

• Book Local Lodging - Stay local and support locally-owned property management businesses, hotels, inns, and lodges that employ hundreds of locals.
• Shop at Locally Owned and Operated Businesses - Support your host town’s local economy by shopping local, which keeps more dollars within the local community, supporting business owners, staff, and local nonprofits.
• Support Certified Green Businesses - Look for businesses that have official green certification, like these California Green Businesses. These businesses meet rigorous standards of sustainability, making a difference in waste, energy, water, pollution prevention, and air quality.