Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Becomes First Coachella Valley Property to Adopt the Orca Technology That Turns Food Waste Into Water
AGUA CALIENTE CASINO RESORT SPA BECOMES FIRST COACHELLA VALLEY PROPERTY TO ADOPT THE ORCA TECHNOLOGY THAT TURNS FOOD WASTE INTO WATER
Rancho Mirage, Calif. (July 12, 2018) – The Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa has added another green initiative to its efforts to further reduce its impact on the environment in Southern California by becoming the first hotel property in the Coachella Valley to implement the ORCA Technology, an innovative technology developed by ORCA Digesters, Inc. that turns food waste into water. The application of this system will divert approximately 624 tons of food waste from local landfills per year, thereby reducing the amount of methane gases produced at landfill sites, lowering garbage truck diesel fuel usage, and resulting CO2 emissions. Additionally, the digested food waste can then be used to create renewable energy resources at the local wastewater treatment facilities.
“This innovative technology in food waste processing will allow us to become a leader in the Coachella Valley for recycling our food waste,” Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Facilities Director James Stone says. “The ORCA is an outstanding addition to our already successful recycling efforts currently underway.”
“At Agua Caliente we are committed to protecting the environment for our guests, our employees, the Greater Coachella Valley community and the world,” says Saverio “Sal” Scheri III, Chief Operating Officer for Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa. “The changes that Jim Stone and his team have implemented have significantly reduced our environmental impact thus far, and we look forward to continuing to take the necessary measures to maintain one of the most environmentally friendly resorts in our region.”
The ORCA is an environmentally friendly alternative solution to the issue of food-waste disposal. The technology can digest up to 2,400 pounds (more than 1 ton) of food waste per day, and within 24 hours can convert food waste into environmentally safe water that flows straight into the public sewage system. Within the stainless steel container, the ORCA’s proprietary, natural Microorganism solution works with water and recycled biochips to quickly break down the waste. Through a process called “aerobic digestion,” the ORCA technology constantly churns all this material, adding oxygen that accelerates the time it takes to transform the food waste disposal into earth-friendly water.
Agua Caliente’s adoption of the ORCA technology is the resort’s latest major effort in reducing the property’s environmental impact overall. Existing green initiatives include significant upgrades to the resort’s lighting. Agua Caliente has completed energy efficiency lighting conversion projects in its parking areas that included the replacement of more than 700 lightbulbs with LED bulbs. In addition, 90 percent of the interior spaces have been converted to LED lighting, including all 340 guest rooms, and 75 percent of all landscape lighting has been converted. These and other cumulative efforts have resulted in a savings of nearly 1.3 million kilowatt-hours back to the local power grid. Adding to the lighting conversion projects, the resort is also a participant in Southern California Edison’s Demand Savings Program, pledging to reduce its energy consumption during hours of peak demand. Further, since March 2017, a recycling program has reprocessed 478,000 pounds of cardboard, aluminum, and No. 1 plastics.
About ORCA Digesters
ORCA Digesters is a pioneer in onsite food waste processing systems. The Toronto-based company develops, manufactures and markets the innovative ORCA aerobic digestion system that allows for rapid composting of most organic material in institutional and commercial end-user applications, after which the liquid effluent is safely discharged into the ordinary sewer system. The machine creates meaningful cost savings for customers while diverting food waste from landfills and reducing emissions related to the transportation of waste. The ORCA Technology offers businesses an innovative and affordable solution for food and beverage by-product disposal.
Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, a AAA Four Diamond and Forbes Recommended property in Rancho Mirage, and Spa Resort Casino in downtown Palm Springs offer the hottest slots, a variety of table games, and high-limit gaming, plus fine dining and shopping, all in a gorgeous resort setting. Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa is also home to the Forbes Four-Star Sunstone Spa and The Show, the premier concert theater in Southern California featuring a legendary lineup of performers. Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa and Spa Resort Casino are owned and operated by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, which also owns the world-renowned Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon hiking trails, and Indian Canyons Golf Resort.
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For Press Inquiries regarding Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, contact:
Erik Stein & Crystal Larsen
Scoop Marketing
(818) 761-6100
estein@solters.com & clarsen@solters.com
Mary Silverman
Manager of Media and Community Relations
Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa
(760) 833-8109 office | (760) 464-9355 mobile
msilverman@accmail.net
For Press Inquiries regarding ORCA Digesters, Inc., contact:
Andrew Lackmann
Vice President Sales and Marketing
ORCA Digesters, Inc.
(855) 355-ORCA (6722)
