Home Energy Management October Will be Golden for The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte

October Will be Golden for The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte

1629
0
SHARE

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—When The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte opens in October, it will be the first LEED hotel to open in the greater Charlotte, N.C. area and the first Ritz-Carlton property anywhere to earn the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED designation (the company is also pursuing LEED for its new Lake Tahoe property expected to open later this year). The 146-room hotel has been designed to earn LEED Gold certification once it opens, to be followed by LEED Gold for Existing Buildings certification a year later. The luxury hotel, which is managed by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., will minimize its environmental impact by including a green roof, water-saving plumbing fixtures, energy-saving lighting, and water filtration systems.

According to Larry Hindle, director of engineering at the hotel, the vegetation on the rooftop will help reduce the heat island effect by 50 percent. The green roof will reduce costs related to air-conditioning, help insulate the rooftop, and also slow rain runoff. Particular attention is being paid to energy efficiency and management intends to pursue an Energy Star rating for the property. Occupancy sensors in public and back-of-house areas—including hallways and stairwells—will keep lighting turned off when not needed. Overall, the hotel will consume 30 percent less energy than a conventional hotel. It will contract with a green power supplier to purchase 35 percent of the building’s electricity’s use for two years.

Built on the site of what once was a condemned building, more than 80 percent of all construction waste was recycled. A total of 3,900 tons of debris was diverted from landfills as of April 2009. Once the hotel is open, recycling will be available in guestrooms and in public and employee areas. Composting is currently being considered as a way to reduce food waste generated by BLT Steak, the hotel’s restaurant, and the Lobby Lounge. Hindle says food scraps may ultimately be sent to pig farms. Banquet meeting room tables were designed using recycled aluminum.

Four On-site Water Filtration Systems

To eliminate the need for plastic water bottles, four on-site water filtration systems will be used. David Rothwell, general manager of the 18-story hotel, says glass bottles will be filled with the filtered water and given to guests. The bottles will then be reused. The system will divert 73,000 plastic bottles from landfills, save more than 104 barrels of oil, eliminate nearly 49 tons of CO2 emissions and save almost 605,000,000 BTUs of electricity each year.

Indoor air quality will be maintained thanks to a ventilation system that will bring 60 cubic feet of outside air per minute into guestrooms. Interior use of low-emitting volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, adhesives and carpets will help reduce indoor air contamination. Water usage will be reduced by 35 percent by installing high-efficiency toilets and showerheads, saving 700,000 gallons of water in the first year alone. All irrigation for hotel plants will utilize captured rainwater from the adjacent 1 Bank of America Center’s storage tanks.

“It has all been a great learning experience,” Rothwell says. “LEED is challenging us to do things differently.”

All staff will be trained regarding LEED for Existing Buildings to ensure that the building remains operationally efficient. A LEED green team will be formed that will include representatives of every hotel department. Members of the hotel’s Education Center for Sustainable Practices will highlight green features for guests. Also planned is a guest speaker series and environmental outreach programs for students of all ages. The hotel will conduct regular community activities focused on environmental conservation. The hotel’s pre-opening team has already led a city cleanup project, and upcoming activities include community recycling days for consumer electronics, used athletic shoes and bicycles.

“The hotel is going to be a great product in a great city,” says Rothwell, adding that The Ritz-Carlton’s approach toward luxury will not be impacted negatively in any way by its green approach.

Additional Green Action Steps

Here are some additional examples of green initiatives under way at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte:

• Some employee uniforms will be made of fabric derived from recycled plastic bottles.
• The bi-level penthouse Wellness Center will utilize only organic and vegan spa products.

• A total of 150 bicycle parking spaces are provided for hotel guests.
• Complimentary bicycle usage and bike valet services are available for guests to enjoy while in Uptown Charlotte.
• Local complimentary transportation will be provided to guests on weekday mornings, with a hybrid vehicle to be used for this service.
• Hybrid and electric vehicles will receive complimentary valet parking.
• All leather products utilized in the hotel were created with recycled leather.
• FSC-certified sapele logs have been utilized by the hotel, a rarity in the United States. This sustainable wood is used in multiple places throughout the property.
• Regional vendors and artists are being used by the hotel to reduce transportation and packaging.
• All hotel dining and beverage menus incorporate organic, local and 100 percent natural products.
• The hotel will donate unused food to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.
• The hotel’s Living Essentials Boutique offers a selection of organic clothing, accessories, products and education materials.
• Environmentally-sensitive cleaning products will be used throughout the hotel.
• Environmentally-friendly meetings will be a standard in the hotel.

Go to The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.

Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

LEAVE A REPLY