2021 Biosphere Awards - Nominations Close December 1st

Biosphere Hall of Fame

The Biosphere Hall of Fame was created by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) to recognize and celebrate the organizations that make the region a more sustainable destination.

The Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program recognizes tourism organizations within the Thompson Okanagan region and gets them involved through TOTA’s Biosphere Certified Gold Destination status.

Biosphere Committed Companies are already taking steps to participate in the value-added programs to working towards the Sustainable Development Goals and are working together to make the destination more sustainable and resilient.

The Biosphere Hall of Fame recognizes Biosphere Committed Companies that have gone above and beyond.

2021 Awards Are Open for Nominations

We want to acknowledge the hard work and sustainable efforts of our Biosphere Committed Companies.

We have created the three awards to further recognize Biosphere Committed Companies:

• Sustainable Project of the Year Award

• Pioneer Award

• Eco Efficiency Excellence Award

Do you know a Biosphere Committed Company that has gone above and beyond? Nominate this business so their work can be recognized.

Winners will receive an award certificate, featured blog post, additional marketing coverage on TOTA social channels, and a feature in the monthly Biosphere Commitment Newsletter.

Nomination Details

There are no entry fees.

Self nominations welcomed.

Nominations are anonymous.

Nominations close December 1, 2021

Sustainable Project of the Year Award Winner for 2020

Best Western PLUS Kamloops selected as the 2020 Sustainable Project of the Year Award Winner!

The Best Western PLUS Kamloops Hotel was able to accomplish no small feat in their renovation refresh on their 4th floor. The goal going into the project was to repurpose, resell or recycle 90% of the materials being changed. They are very proud, and so are we, that they were able to beat that goal and achieve 95%!

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Jen Krohn - Best Western PLUS Kamloops

“At the Best Western PLUS Kamloops Hotel, owner John Hampel has been carrying on the passion his father started, building to a sustainable standard. The Hampel family were the first hoteliers in Kamloops to add solar and geothermal to hotels. When they started planning the Best Western PLUS, John Hampel took his father’s passion and experience and built the hotel to “Green Hotel” standards. We have geothermal heating for all public areas and pool, heat pumps, Power smart lighting, etc. to name a few items. Our footprint is 45% of a standard hotel of this size. This Biosphere award means a lot to the owner and the team who operates the hotel. We have always strived to be green, sustainable and give back to our community. This award shows our passion has been recognized by our peers. The Biosphere Commitment Program has allowed us to continue and grow our Green Programs. As Kamloops “Award Winning Eco-friendly Hotel”, the award shows we are maintaining a high standard in all areas of our operations, including sustainability!”

- Jen Krohn, Operations Manager, Best Western PLUS Kamloops

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Best Western Plus Lobby

Best Western Plus Kamloops Pool

Best Western Plus Kamloops Exterior

Sustainable Renovation Details

• Original window dressings and skirtings were sold to another local Kamloops property

• All hallway and room carpets were able to be recycled but they were able to repurpose 20% internally in storage areas, 35% was sold to local motels/hotels and the remaining carpet was donated to Habitat for Humanity. The only part of the project that was unable to be recycled or reused was the carpet bases due to the glue and other materials which only contributed to 5% lost in being a 100% sustainable project.

• The vinyl baseboards were purchased to allow them to recycled or reused in the future, while the hallway baseboards were made from 85% recycled material.

• The new carpet and vinyl planks were again ordered to the same commitment to be recycled at same end of life.

• 24 toilets were donated to Habitat for Humanity which resulted in all 24 being able to be resold locally. The new replacement toilets are 25% more efficient than the original toilets.

• Since choosing to replace the beds on the 4th floor earlier than needed, they were able to use 40% of the beds on another floor that had high use beds (ie. team rooms). The remaining beds were donated to Ask Wellness, where the beds were then stripped, recycled or reused 98% of the material. The new beds are made from a higher amount of recycled materials than the original beds.

• The room furniture is solid wood and granite toppings, thus being able to refresh them effectively.