Grass Valley Courtyard Suites is a luxury boutique hotel nestled in the charming town of Grass Valley in Nevada County, California. Known for its warm hospitality and scenic surroundings, the hotel attracts guests who visit friends and family or explore the abundant outdoor activities in the nearby Tahoe National Forest. With 48 guestrooms and suites, the hotel sees an average of 100 daily guests during peak seasons.

Grass Valley Courtyard Suites has long been committed to operational efficiency. More recently, the hotel has implemented eco-friendly initiatives such as:

• Switching to LED light bulbs
• Installing EV charging stations
• Upgrading to energy-efficient mini-split HVAC systems
• Establishing a comprehensive recycling program

The hotel offers complimentary continental breakfast and an evening reception with wine and hors-d’oeuvres. Most of their food waste is discarded breakfast items like omelets, waffles, fruit rinds, unfinished cereal, stale bread items, egg shells, and any leftover food in the guest room. To enhance their waste management approach, the hotel took proactive steps in response to California’s Senate Bill 1383.

Understanding SB 1383

Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) is a California law aimed at reducing organic waste disposal and methane emissions. Enacted in 2016 and fully implemented by 2022, SB 1383 mandates that California jurisdictions reduce organic waste disposal by 75% by 2025 (compared to 2014 levels). The law also requires businesses and residents to separate organic waste from other trash and recyclables to support composting and other sustainable disposal methods.

Key requirements under SB 1383 include:

• Mandatory organic waste collection: Cities must provide organic waste bins and ensure businesses and residents comply with proper disposal.
• Edible food recovery programs: Large food generators must donate excess edible food to food recovery organizations.
• Education and outreach: Local governments must educate businesses and the public on the proper ways to dispose of waste.
• Enforcement and penalties: Non-compliance may result in fines for businesses that fail to meet the requirements for the separation of organic waste.

Innovative Waste Management Solution

When the City of Grass Valley introduced SB 1383 initiatives, Sara Christensen, the General Manager of Grass Valley Courtyard Suites, recognized the need for a more efficient solution beyond the organic waste bins provided by the city. Traditional bins would require regular cleaning and labor. During the summer, temperatures often reach the high 80s Fahrenheit (32°C), and with weekly trash pickups, Sara was concerned that food waste would begin to smell and attract wildlife from the county area.

Sara sought a sustainable, low-maintenance alternative to comply with SB 1383 while avoiding the drawbacks of traditional waste bins. After extensive research, she discovered Power Knot’s LFC biodigester—an innovative, out-of-the-box solution for the disposal of organic waste.

The hotel installed the LFC-50 biodigester, which they soon affectionately named Fiona after the beloved princess-turned-ogre from Shrek. “We named her Fiona because she just looked so shiny, and she was this green-eating machine on the inside,” Sara shared.

The Power Knot LFC biodigester efficiently processes food waste through aerobic digestion, using microorganisms to break down organic material into water, which is then safely discharged into the sewage system. The solution eliminates odors, reduces labor costs, and minimizes dependency on city waste collection services. And by diverting the organic waste from the landfill, it meets the objective of reducing greenhouse gasses.

Impact and Results

Since installing Fiona, Grass Valley Courtyard Suites has observed significant benefits:

• Reduction in dumpster waste, decreasing overall landfill contributions
• Improved guest engagement, with visitors learning about the importance of food waste separation and sustainability
• Compliance with SB 1383, ensuring the hotel meets California’s environmental regulations

By integrating this innovative technology, Grass Valley Courtyard Suites has not only met legal requirements but also reinforced its commitment to environmental stewardship. The adoption of Fiona has sparked meaningful conversations between guests and staff about sustainability, further promoting awareness of food waste’s environmental impact.

Grass Valley Courtyard Suites exemplifies how small businesses can proactively adapt to SB 1383 regulations while implementing cost-effective, eco-friendly solutions. By embracing biodigestion technology, the hotel has successfully transformed food waste management into an opportunity for education, engagement, and environmental responsibility—ensuring a greener future for both their business and the community.

For bookings, contact Grass Valley Courtyard Suites at 530-272-7696 or email info@gvcourtyardsuites.com.