BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International and the World Environment Center (WEC) announced the launch of an innovative partnership to further strengthen the environmental commitment of Marriott’s Costa Rican suppliers by reducing energy and water consumption, minimizing waste and raw material usage, and lowering operating costs. The partnership between WEC and Marriott was officially launched at the Costa Rica Marriott. This initiative is part of a program called “Cleaner Production Private Sector Partnerships” supported by the United States Department of State.
Building on more than 20 years of energy conservation experience, Marriott is committed to protecting the environment and addressing climate change through its Spirit To Preserve program. The greening of Marriott’s $10 billion supply chain is a key part of this effort.
Through the WEC partnership, a group of Marriott’s small and medium-sized local suppliers in Costa Rica will be trained by WEC to improve their manufacturing operations and maximize efficiencies in their facilities, resulting in energy, water, raw material and economic savings. This training, and the follow-up given to the participating companies, will allow Marriott suppliers to minimize environmental effects while improving their productivity and competitiveness.
Building a Sustainable Supply Chain
“At Marriott we are committed to working with our suppliers on a global scale, to build a sustainable supply chain of worldwide value and recognition,” said Bill Hartwig, Marriott’s vice president, supplier relations and international procurement, “and we work with the suppliers to incentivize them to use specific tools and training that will help us achieve that goal together.”
Hartwig emphasized that through this partnership with WEC in Costa Rica, supplier best practices will be developed that can help strengthen the many communities where the company operates.
Terry F. Yosie, WEC’s president and CEO, said the partnership with Marriott will encourage sustainable economic development in the local communities where the suppliers operate.
“Minimizing the environmental impact, taking full advantage of the resources, and achieving sustainable clean production are our main objectives,” Yosie said.
The program is managed by Ernesto Samayoa, WEC’s director of operations for Latin America, with the direct cooperation from Costa Rica’s five Marriott hotels.
