CHICAGO—Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in downtown Chicago launched an extensive recycling program and energy conservation program entitled, “When not in use, turn off the juice,” one year ago. A unique effort to compost biodegradable food material has been introduced, and Hyatt Regency McCormick Place bottles its own water at its restaurant, Shor, as well. The hotel’s green program has garnered successful results with the participation of both its entire staff and guests. In the past year, 76 tons of material (equaling 300 cubic yards) has been recycled, approximately 1,500 trees have been saved, and more than three tons of food has been composted.
“With a hotel structure as large as ours at Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, it is easy to see the great amounts of power and resources consumed just in the course of daily operations,” said George Vizer, general manager. “It is our duty to preserve these resources and do our part to help with environmental conservation. We are proud to have accomplished a great deal toward this goal, especially within the past year.”
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place recycles paper, plastic, aluminum, cardboard, light bulbs and glass, as well as construction waste from renovations. Through this program, 76 tons of material and 20 tons of construction waste have been recycled instead of sent to a landfill. Paper recycling containers are placed throughout the facility, with a particular focus on the hotel’s Business Center, which is used for meetings and conferences. Reminders and signage indicate and remind employees and guests of the green initiatives. Housekeepers recycle newspapers and paper products from guestrooms, and larger bins are available for banquet and conference cleanup.
Over the past year, energy consumption at Hyatt Regency McCormick Place has been reduced by 5 percent. Throughout the hotel, lights are extinguished when not in use and blackout drapes are closed to preserve temperatures, which are set at a standard 73 degrees for rooms not currently being used. Light bulbs have been replaced with longer-life energy efficient bulbs, motion detectors are installed in infrequently used rooms, and the hotel’s extensive kitchen staff performs internal audits to reduce consumption of gas and electricity. In an attempt to conserve water, guests are also given the option of reusing linens from day to day.
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place is now composting food scraps from its kitchens and has produced more than three tons of compost so far. Through this eco-friendly initiative, organics from the kitchen are placed into “earth tubs,” where they are broken down into usable compost. Additionally, the hotel recently began using a Natura Water purification system to bottle its own water. The system is the only water purification system of its kind that provides chilled, sparkling and still water. It is an environmentally friendly alternative to the waste associated with conventional bottled water. The signature bottles that the water is served in are dishwasher safe, reusable and, most importantly, do not add waste to landfills.
Go to the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.
