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Environment & Sustainability

Thredbo Powered by Renewable Energy

Thredbo Resort is committed to preserving, protecting, and prioritising our unique alpine environment. We take pride in our long list of environmental initiatives and embrace the opportunity to lead our industry and our community through our shared passion of the mountains towards a more sustainable future, today.

EarthCheck Gold Certified
2026 Sustainability Targets
New Initiatives
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EarthCheck Gold Certified

Thredbo is proud of our continuing Gold certification through EarthCheck three years running, a first for an Australian snow resort.

EarthCheck is the world’s leading environmental certification and benchmarking program for the travel and tourism industry. The internationally-recognised EarthCheck certification positions Thredbo a leader of sustainable alpine tourism destinations worldwide.

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2026 Sustainability Targets

Achieve Carbon Neutral Certification for Thredbo Operations by December 2026

Understanding our responsibilities to the wider environment, and recognising our dependence on a sustainable climate, Thredbo is working towards gaining a recognised carbon-neutral certification. This will support our ongoing energy and emissions reduction efforts.

Reduce Village Waste-to-Landfill by 10% Over 2022-2023 Levels by December 2026

It is our responsibility to continue our work in reducing impacts on the Snowy Mountains from the generation of waste. Landfill waste is a non-sustainable and finite pathway for recourses. Our waste-to-landfill reduction target aims to replace landfill with waste-avoidance, reuse or recycling alternatives.

Reduce Village Potable Water Usage by 10% Over 2022-23 Levels (excluding snowmaking) by December 2026

The Thredbo River, and the subsequent rivers it feeds, are vital pieces of Australia’s freshwater system. The mighty Snowy River and the famous Murray River are both linked to Thredbo through snowfall and spring-time melts. Our drinking, washing and swimming water all comes from the Thredbo River and it is our responsibility to protect all natural and human requirements through wise water usage in Thredbo, and beyond.

 

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New Initiatives

Merritts Gondola
Thredbo’s newest favourite ride is not only fast and comfortable, it also uses innovative technology! Merritts Gondola is driven by an industry leading Direct Drive electric motor system, making the Gondola super quiet and more efficient than a conventional Gondola.

Food Organics Recycling 
In 2022/23 over 26 tonnes of food waste was recycled through Thredbo’s Closed Loop organics composting machine. Restaurants, lodges and apartments across Thredbo play their part in this valuable initiative by separating their food scraps from other waste. Food waste composting helps reduce the volume of waste being sent to landfill and creates a usable compost product that adds nutrients back into the soil.

Thredbo Alpine Hotel Plastic Reduction Plan
Thredbo is focused on removing all single use plastic products. Phase one has seen the removal of front of house single use plastic items including replacing plastic straws with paper and the introduction of certified compostable and sustainable sugar cane pulp food packaging. Phase two will see plastic free alternatives for back of house products and the introduction of sustainable alternatives throughout Thredbo Resort.

SNOWsat snow depth technology
Thredbo has invested in new SNOWsat technology to more accurately map snow depth across the resort. This means that snow grooming and snow making is more efficient, saving fuel and energy as well as enhancing your skiing and riding experience.

Bike Tyre Recycling
Since the 2021/22 MTB Season, bike tyres have been collected through our workshop and public tyre recycling bins. This helps to divert waste away from landfill, and gives the tyres a new lease of life through recycling into new products.

  • The Environment
    Thredbo operates within Kosciuszko National Park, one of Australia’s most beautiful and sensitive natural settings. Our innovative environmental initiatives cover all aspects of resort operations so we can preserve our unique alpine backyard for future generations.
  • Community
    Thredbo understands caring for the environment is a team effort. We work in collaboration with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Thredbo community, Red Energy, Snowy Hydro, and local non-profit groups to protect the mountains we value so much.
  • Leadership
    Thredbo is Australia’s first snow resort to have its major resort operations powered by renewable electricity and to achieve Gold EarthCheck Certification three years running, setting a new benchmark for environmental sustainability within the snow industry and protecting our environment into the future.
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Becoming powered by renewable energy has been our goal for some time now and by achieving this we’ve set the environmental benchmark for Australian resorts. We are extremely proud to be at the forefront of reducing our carbon footprint into the future.

Stuart Diver, General Manager of Thredbo
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Renewable Now

At Thredbo, we have harnessed the opportunity to lead our industry and our community toward a more sustainable future, today. Together with Red Energy and Snowy Hydro, we’re proud to be powering all our resort operations with electricity from renewable sources.

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EarthCheck | Gold Certification

Thredbo has been awarded Gold EarthCheck Certification three years running! This internationally recognised environmental milestone is a first for an Australian snow resort and is awarded by EarthCheck, the world’s leading environmental certification and benchmarking program for the travel and tourism industry.

To achieve gold certification, Thredbo have met EarthCheck’s rigorous environmental standards across 10 key performance areas spanning greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, conservation and management, land use planning and management and waste management.

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Keep It Cool

Keep It Cool is a local not-for-profit group based in the Snowy Mountains and run by passionate mountain goers who love our alpine playground.

You’ll find them (and us) supporting all environmental initiatives that cross their path, educating to inspire change, building a community of like-minded people to help create momentum, and planting trees locally to lock away carbon from the atmosphere and create new habitats for wildlife.

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Greenfleet

Since 2009 Thredbo has partnered with Greenfleet to offset resort vehicle emissions including all fuel used to run our snow groomers and the resort shuttle buses. In total we have offset over 13,200 tonnes of carbon emissions by planting almost 50,000 native trees.

On top of this, in a global first in 2014, Thredbo started a forestry carbon offset program for guests to contribute towards tree planting when buying lift products. In 2022, over 2,300 trees were purchased by guests to offset their drive to the mountains. This goes towards restoring Australian forests, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping to regenerate natural ecosystems.

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Sustainable Snowies

Caring for the environment is a team effort! Sustainable Snowies is made up of local businesses, government, and community representatives that are passionate about the environment, with the aim to improve sustainability within the Snowy Mountains region by working collaboratively, sharing ideas and implementing on-ground projects.

Thredbo is excited to collaborate with Sustainable Snowies on various projects including reducing single use cups with Green Caffeen at The Bakery and Friday Flat Bistro, litter prevention and more.

Find Out More

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Ecotourism Accreditation

Since 2011 Thredbo guided products such as Backcountry Tours and Hiking, have been granted Advanced Ecotourism Accreditation by Ecotourism Australia.

As an accredited business we are committed to environmental and industry best practices upholding sustainability of business and activities. The activities promote consciousness for conservation by conducting all tours under the Leave No Trace ethics and creating an opportunity to open environmental dialogue between visitors, guides and the community.

We are accredited to discuss climate change and its effect on our operation, ways we can reduce our contribution to climate change both in our guests’ holidaying choices, practices and how we deliver our tour products.

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Biodiversity Management

Thredbo acts in partnership with the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service to protect the native flora and fauna and manage introduced species within the resort. This includes:

  • Integrated fauna crossings into any new ski slopes and mountain biking trails developed by Thredbo so native species are not impacted by recreational activities.
  • The planting of over 6,500 native trees, shrubs, and grasses within Thredbo resort in the 2022/2023 summer season by the Environmental Services and Mountain departments.

Native vegetation ecosystem rehab of all development areas within the Resort and Village.

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Energy Management

We employ a number of strategies to keep a cap on energy usage. Some of our current initiatives are:

  • The Merritts Gondola uses an industry leading Direct Drive electric motor system resulting in a 5% energy saving over a traditional lift drive system
  • The Easy Does It chairlift electric drive motor has been replaced with the latest “synchronous reluctance” technology drive system, significantly improving its efficiency when not working under full load
  • Our snowmaking system has been progressively upgraded and automated resulting in increased energy efficiencies over time.
  • In 2022 the Thredbo Leisure Centre’s solar panels generated over 22% of the total electricity used by the centre, and in January 2023, 50% of the required electricity for the Leisure Centre came from its solar panel array.
  • Electric heat pumps are used to help heat water in the Thredbo Leisure Centre pool
  • Lighting across the resort has been progressively upgraded to energy-efficient LEDs
  • Conventional street lights on Friday Drive have been replaced with solar-powered lighting
  • Thredbo has a Tesla Electric Vehicle charging station for guests and staff to use – if you would like to charge your vehicle please contact the Thredbo Alpine Hotel on 02 6459 4200
  • A number of actions and technologies are under investigation to help further improve Thredbo’s energy usage.
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Waste Management

We have achieved a combined recycling rate of 33% in 2022/23 and we aim to continue increasing this value with the help of our staff and the Thredbo community. Some initiatives to help reach our goals are:

  • Paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, steel and aluminium cans, and battery recycling – download our recycling guide
  • Food Organics recycling – download our guide on what food wastes you can and can’t recycle
  • Used cooking oil collected onsite is recycled into biodiesel
  • In the past two years we sent over 2 tonnes of batteries and E-waste for recycling, including fluorescent light bulbs and white goods.
  • Biosolids from our wastewater treatment plant are used by local farmers for soil conditioning
  • Bin Your Butts! We have given out over 152,000 personal ash trays to stop cigarette butts ending up in the Thredbo river
  • In 2022, we diverted over 1.5 tonnes of un-usable Thredbo uniforms away from landfill, by sending them to UPPAREL to be recycled into new products such as furniture stuffing and carpet underlay
  • Bike tyres are recycled from our MTB Workshop and through guest drop-offs – approximately 250kgs were recycled in 2022 alone.
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Water Management

A significant reduction of our water usage has been achieved through the installation of low flow showers, dual flush toilets and water efficient washing machines within Thredbo venues. The Thredbo community is also encouraged to employ water-saving methods in private lodges and apartments.

Thredbo’s snowmaking process uses water when the weather is cold enough in winter, however the majority of this water returns to the Thredbo River each spring when the snow melts.

The biological and physical condition of the Thredbo River is closely monitored by the University of Canberra Institute for Applied Ecology which allows us to best manage the impacts the resort has on Thredbo River.

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Native Animals

Kosciuszko National Park is home to many native animals, some of which are rare or threatened including the Mountain Pygmy Possum, the Corroboree Frog and the Broad-toothed Rat. Help us help our native friends by reducing your impact on their home.

Injured Animals
If you injure an animal on the road within Thredbo Village, please report it to the Environmental Services Department on (02) 6459 4100. If you injure an animal on the Alpine Way or any of the region’s roads, please contact L.A.O.K.O. (Looking After Our Kosciuszko Orphans) on (02) 6456 1313.

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Policies & Reports

Click the links to check out our policies that guide the care and protection of Thredbo’s environment and heritage, and the reports looking at our progress:

Download Thredbo 2023 Environmental and Social Sustainability Policy

Download our 2026 Sustainability Targets

Download Thredbo Environmental Destination Sustainability Action Plan

Download the Annual NSW Alpine Resorts Environmental Performance Report

Download our Environmental Initiatives 2023

Download our Sustainability Report 2023

Download Thredbo Human Rights Report 2022

If you would like to provide feedback on any of our policies contact us at info@thredbo.com.au

What Can You Do

One of Thredbo’s key sustainability goals is a commitment to reducing waste to landfill by 10% by 2026. One way you can help is by making sure you use the right bin correctly and recycle like a champion!

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Get Educated

The first step to taking action against climate change and protecting the environment is to educate yourself. Jump online today.

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Get Educated

The first step to taking action against climate change and protecting the environment is to educate yourself. Jump online today.

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Travel Smart

Reduce the amount of harmful emissions entering the air by driving smart and carpooling to Thredbo.

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Travel Smart

Reduce the amount of harmful emissions entering the air by driving smart and carpooling to Thredbo.

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Greenfleet

Assist to offset the carbon emissions from your car journey to Thredbo by contributing $5 towards tree planting.

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Greenfleet

Assist to offset the carbon emissions from your car journey to Thredbo by contributing $5 towards tree planting.

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Reduce Plastic Usage

Invest in a water bottle and say no to plastic! Thredbo has water filling stations located across the resort for guests to use.

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Reduce Plastic Usage

Invest in a water bottle and say no to plastic! Thredbo has water filling stations located across the resort for guests to use.

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Recycle

Thredbo is responsible for recycling and so are you. Please follow all recycling guidelines in the resort to keep Thredbo clean.

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Recycle

Thredbo is responsible for recycling and so are you. Please follow all recycling guidelines in the resort to keep Thredbo clean.

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Put Rubbish In The Bin

Pick up rubbish around the resort and put it in the bin, recycling where possible. This small action makes a big difference!

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Put Rubbish In The Bin

Pick up rubbish around the resort and put it in the bin, recycling where possible. This small action makes a big difference!

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Turn Off Your Lights

Turn off your lights when you’re not using them. Electricity production is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions…every light counts!

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Turn Off Your Lights

Turn off your lights when you’re not using them. Electricity production is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions…every light counts!

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Rental

Rent instead of buying new if only using equipment for a short time. Check out our premium range of skis, snowboards & accessories.

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Rental

Rent instead of buying new if only using equipment for a short time. Check out our premium range of skis, snowboards & accessories.

Download our new mobile app

Whether you ski, snowboard, hike, mountain bike or are visiting for the first time, our app is your companion to Australia’s Premier Adventure Destination.

Thredbo sits on the traditional land of the Monero – Ngarigo people who have looked after this land, water and community for over 60,000 years. We thank them for all they have done and continue to do to look after their country, a special place which we all love and respect.

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