By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAHA MAR has pledged to promote renewable energy sources as part of its larger plan to create and maintain business practices that respect the environment.

The resort’s environmental initiatives are detailed in a booklet called “Our commitment to environmental sustainability”.

The booklet’s release comes days after fires once again started at the city dump, prompting questions about the impact that fires at the dump could have on Baha Mar’s business when it opens.

The booklet notes that “minimising the impact to the New Providence landfill is a key component of Baha Mar’s operations”.

It says: “With more than 10,000 containers slated for delivery, packaging material such as cardboard boxes, pallets and expanded polystyrene fillers will need to be disposed of.

“Pallets will be ground into mulch; expanded polystyrene fillers will be available for secondary-use packaging; air hand dryers will eliminate the need for paper towels.”

The booklet adds that Baha Mar is looking into transforming food waste into “compost of gray water for irrigation”, thereby reducing “the amount of waste hauled to the local landfill”.

A sensitive environment around the pond was hand-cleared by landscapers in an attempt to restore the area, the booklet states, adding that that area “now protects indigenous plants and trees, and supports wildlife”.

The booklet says that Cable Beach has been restored and structures have been built to “stabilise and protect the half-mile beachfront from future erosion.”

The booklet also says that Baha Mar has applied for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) New Construction Certification. LEED, it notes, “is an internationally accepted organisation for design operation and construction of high-performance green buildings.

“This ensures the buildings are environmentally compatible, provide a healthy work environment and are profitable.”

Baha Mar hopes to reduce energy consumption by about 54,400 megawatt-hours per year and to reduce its carbon footprint by 26,000 tons annually.