WASHINGTON, D.C.—Marriott International Inc. announced that it has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 70,000 tons in one year—the equivalent of removing 10,000 cars from U.S. streets.
As the first hotel company to proactively join the prestigious U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Leaders Program, Marriott has set a five-year goal to reduce greenhouse gases by 6 percent per guestroom by 2010 and launched Marriott’s Retro-Commissioning (MRC) initiative last year to maximize energy in all U.S. hotels. As a result, Marriott reduced greenhouse gases in 2006 by 2 percent in each guestroom.
Today, the company has been awarded more Energy Star labels than any other hotel company and has been recognized as the Energy Star Partner of the Year for Excellence in Energy Management for the past two years.
Additional environmentally friendly company initiatives:
• Group “Re-Lamp” campaign, which replaced 450,000 light bulbs with fluorescent lighting in 2006, saved 65 percent on overall lighting costs and energy usage in guestrooms;
• Linen Reuse Program, a nationwide effort to encourage guests to reuse linens and towels during their hotel stay, saved 11 to 17 percent on hot water and sewer bills involved in laundering operations at each hotel;
• Marriott’s smoke-free policy in all U.S. hotels, announced last year, improves indoor air quality and will result in a 30 percent reduction in energy use for air treatment systems;
• Marriott’s “Ozone Activated Laundry” and “Formula One Systems” can save up to 25 percent in energy used in laundry systems;
• Replacement of 4,500 outdoor signs with LED and fiber optic technology yielding a 40 percent reduction in outdoor advertising use in its first year;
• Installation of 400,000 new showerheads which reduces hot water usage by 10 percent each year; and
• Appointed environmental stewards—directors of energy and an architect certified by the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)—to help oversee a variety of programs including Marriott’s first LEED-certified hotel, The Inn & Conference Center by Marriott in Adelphi, Md.
Going Green Makes Sense
“Being green is good business,” says Pat Maher, senior vice president, program management and engineering, Marriott International Inc. “It is important for the environment and saves our hotels money.”
Marriott’s next initiative will focus on improving recycling efforts. Marriott is piloting a program to further monitor and evaluate current waste management and recycling practices. While many of Marriott’s 2,800 hotels around the world adhere to the company’s recycling guidelines for trash, cardboard, newspaper and glass, the goal of this new program is to streamline efforts and identify the most environmentally friendly, yet cost-efficient methods. Implementation will begin in hotels by early 2008.
Marriott’s commitment to the environment is longstanding. With the introduction of ECHO, Environmentally Conscious Hospitality Operations, more than a decade ago, Marriott focused on water and energy conservation, clean air, recycling, wildlife preservation and neighborhood cleanups. Marriott works in partnership with hotel owners and franchisees to implement sustainable environmental practices, which reflect the environmental interests and concerns of guests, associates, business partners and communities.
For more details on Marriott’s ongoing commitment to conserve and preserve, visit the Environmental Stewardship page at www.marriott.com.
