Presentation of the primary measures and steps towards sustainable spa operations.

1. Sustainable Spa 101
Redesigning an Industry
By Rhana Pytell

2. quot;Sanus per Aquamquot;, or health through water.
This Roman phrase is the origin of the modern acronym
“S P A.quot;
Spa In Our Future
Renovating the US Spa Industry 2009
Rhana Pytell

3. Spa industry grows to 13,000
locations in the U.S. by 2006.
Value Proposition:
• Feel good – look good.
• Spa becomes a necessity for “the
good life”.
• Spa is regarded as preventative
health care.
• Spa ignites a sensory renaissance.
• Mind /Body wellness and “anti-aging”
strike a chord with consumers
The industry grew 1000% 1997 - 2005

4. 13,000 U.S. day spas!
Industry Impacts:
• Resources - huge water and energy
use.
• Waste – single use paper and plastic.
• Pesticides – cotton linens and towels.
• Synthetic ingredients – cosmetics.
• Environment - toxic laundry products.
• Operations –complex, costly.
• Customer - high service prices.
• Employee - service industry wages
with few benefits.
• Marketing – hyped, costly.

5. What is next?
Nine essentials for building the spa of the
future.

6. Zero Waste
• Spas eliminate all single use items-
bottles, cups, paper towels – replace
with reusable and durable products.
• Spas compost on site.
• Spas recycle all plastic, paper and
glass.
• Spas recycle all electronics and IT.
• Spas recycle all textiles – to building
supplies or shelters.

7. Sustainable Spa Energy
Utilization:
• LED, CFL and OLED lighting.
• Sensors.
• Hot water on demand.
• Management systems to monitor
progress in energy use efficiencies.
• Employee training and awareness
programs for energy and resource
conservation.

8. Environmental Management
Systems in Spas include:
• Non-toxic paints, finishes and glues.
• Environmentally safe cleaning and
laundry products. No chlorine
bleach.
• Renewable resource furnishings – no
out gassing.
• Discharging water that is as clean or
cleaner .
• Interior air quality that is managed for
purity and health.

9. Sustainable Technology:
• On-line booking systems eliminate
the need for continual upgrade of
hardware.
• Subscription/ web-based software for
accounting, operations, etc. is
standard.
• www. Amethystsystems.com
• Equipment is Energy Star rated.
• Alignment with technology suppliers
that have sustainability commitment.
• Recycling all IT equipment, and ink
cartridges.

10. Sustainable Marketing
• Consumers are provided with
authentic, transparent and accurate
sustainability education and
information.
• The spa market message is
embedded with sustainability values.

11. Sustainable Spa Supplies are
defined as:
• Quick drying, and durable.
• Manufactured with renewable
resources.
• Non- toxic, pesticide free, antibacterial
fibers and products.
• Recyclable microfiber and other cradle
to cradle product choices.
• Industry suppliers providing sustainable
choices in linens, textiles and
equipment.

12. Sustainable Personal Care Spa
Product Attributes:
• Fair Trade.
• Third party certification for quality and purity.
• Results oriented.
• Spa signature selection of certified products from a variety
of sustainable manufacturers.

13. Employees Enjoy
• Increasingly specialized skills and job
satisfaction.
• Career or vocation over temporary work.
• Wages and benefits that support a life of
family and learning.
• The opportunity to continually learn new
skills in their field.

14. Spa Facilities are:
• Comfortable, clean and “green”.
• Utilize low maintenance and
sustainable equipment.
• Uncomplicated, uncluttered, focused
on efficient operations and client
safety and comfort.
• Employ efficient operational and
resource costs.

15. Spas Influence By:
• Participation in the local community.
• Contributing to the larger spa
community.
• Promoting education and knowledge.
• Staying connected to the original
seed of spa: “Healing through
Water”.

16. quot;Sanus per Aquam”
The percentage of water
making up
tissues, organs, fluids and
bone in the human body: Brain
Spa In Our Future
75%, Heart 75%, Lungs
86%, Muscle 75%, Liver
85%, Kidney 83%, Bone 70% of our Earth’s surface
22%, Blood 83%, Saliva Is water – the rest is land with
95%, Perspiration 95% 6.5 billion water filled humans and
other precious species.
Renovating the US Spa Industry 2009
Rhana Pytell

17. People, Planet, Prosperity
Thank you to the many voices in the spa
Thank you to industry the voices that are
making a difference in the spa industry!
contribute to our mutual sustainability:
The Green Spa Network
ISPA
LOHAS
The Day Spa Association
Les Nouvelles Esthetique
SKIN INC.
Day Spa Magazine
Renovating the Spa Industry
By Rhana Pytell
rhana@amethystsystems.com