Marriott Hotel Chain Eliminates 70,000 Tons of GHG Emissions

I just read an interesting article in EP today about Marriott announcing it had reduced its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 70,000 tons in one year.  Marriott is the first hotel chain to proactively join the EPA Climate Leaders Program and has set a 5 year goal to reduce greenhouse gases by 6% / guest room by 2010. 

Some of their environmentally friendly company initiatives include: 

• Replaced 450,000 light bulbs with fluorescent lighting in 2006, saved 65% on overall lighting costs and energy usage in guest rooms
• Linen Reuse Program, a nationwide effort to encourage guests to reuse linens and towels during their hotel stay, saved 11 to 17% 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% reduction in energy use for air treatment systems
• Marriott's "Ozone Activated Laundry" and "Formula One Systems" can save up to 25% in energy used in laundry systems
• Replacement of 4,500 outdoor signs with LED and fiber optic technology yielding a 40% reduction in outdoor advertising use in its first year
• Installation of 400,000 new shower heads which reduces hot water usage by 10% each year

Let’s hope other hotel chains take Marriott’s lead and adopt similar practices. 

by
Erin Swanson
Eswanson@enviance.com