Marriott Hotels are Getting Greener

Marriott Hotels has some exciting news for business travelers. If you’re looking for some incentive to stay at one particular hotel over the host of other choices, you may want to consider the environmental impact of the hotel. Marriott Properties has announced they have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 70,000 tons in one year. That’s a reduction of 2% per room. According to the press release, that quantity would be the equivalent of removing 10,000 cars from the streets. That’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Marriott has distinguished itself as the first hotel company to proactively join the EPA’s Climate Leaders Program, and plans to reduce greenhouse gases by 6% per room by 2010. In addition, Marriott’s launched its Retro-Commissioning (MRC) initiative last year to maximize energy in all U.S. hotels.

How are they making it happen?

• Group “Re-Lamp” Campaign: This program replaced 450,000 light bulbs with more efficient fluorescent lighting in 2006. This resulted in a 65% savings on overall lighting costs and energy usage in guest rooms
  

• Linen Reuse Program: Initiative to persuade guests to reuse linens and towels during their hotel stay. This program saved 11 to 17% on hot water and sewer bills involved in laundering operations at each hotel
  

• Marriott’s Smoke-Free Policy: All U.S. Marriott properties became non-smiling last year, which improves indoor air quality. This is expected to result in a 30% reduction in energy use for air treatment systems
  

• Ozone Activated Laundry and Formula One Systems: These systems can save up to 25% in energy used in laundry systems. And here I was thinking that was a race car.
  

• LED Signage: Marriott replaced 4,500 outdoor signs with LED and fiber optic technology. This netted a 40% reduction in outdoor advertising use in its first year.
  

• Shower Heads: Marriott Installed 400,000 new shower heads to reduce hot water usage by 10% each year
  

• Environmental Stewards: Marriott appointed Directors of Energy and an architect certified by the US Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) to help oversee a variety of programs.

“Being green is good business,” said Pat Maher, senior VP of program management and engineering, “It is important for the environment and saves our hotels money.” Awesome. I’m all about them saving a buck for doing the right thing.

What’s next? Improving recycling efforts. Marriott has initiated a program to evaluate the current waste management and recycling practices. The company has current recycling guidelines for trash, cardboard, newspapers and glass, but the company would like to streamline efforts and find the most environmentally friendly, yet cost-efficient methods. Implementation of the findings will begin in hotels by early 2008.

So give Marriott two green thumbs up.

Via PR Newswire.