SEATTLE—Hyatt at Olive 8, Seattle’s first and only Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified hotel, continues to lead the local hospitality industry in green initiatives with the announcement of its Green Seal Gold Certification—the much sought after achievement that can only be accomplished if the property complies with the Green Seal Standard for Hotels & Lodging Properties (GS-33, 2011) at the highest level. Only three hotels in the United States have obtained a gold certification, and only a handful of properties have the unique combination of all three environmentally friendly distinctions.
“Since opening our doors in February 2009, we have been recognized for our efforts with LEED certification, a 4 Green Key Eco-Rating and now a gold Green Seal,” said Tom Wolf, general manager of Hyatt at Olive 8. “Collectively, this illustrates our day-to-day commitment to being a leader in the industry and we are pleased that we can say that we are one of only a few U.S. properties honored with all of these prestigious accolades.”
The Green Seal standard focuses on a broad range of criteria including waste minimization; energy efficiency, conservation and management; management of fresh water resources; waste water management; hazardous material management and implementation of an environmentally and socially sensitive purchasing policy. Hyatt at Olive 8 achieved Gold certification through additional achievements in energy reduction, sustainable building practices and use of renewable energy. Green practices at Hyatt at Olive 8 include:
• Energy Efficiency: Innovative environmental extras like room key-controlled light switches keep lights on when the room is in use, and off when it is not.
• Waste Water Reduction: Hyatt at Olive 8 uses low-consumption plumbing fixtures, using one gallon per minute less than traditional showerheads, and dual-flush toilets that use 29 percent less water per flush.
• Reuse + Recycle: The hotel employs comprehensive programs to minimize its environmental footprint, including food composting, in-room recycling containers and food bank donations.
• Wind Power: The revolutionary roof top wind turbines repurpose neutral exhaust from the restaurant into energy to help power the hotel and condominiums and decrease wasted resources.
• Conscious Cleaning: Hyatt at Olive 8 is committed to green housekeeping practices with Green Seal-approved low-VOC cleaners and offers guests 100 percent toxin-free dry-cleaning services.
• Eco-friendly Events: Socially-conscious companies and groups can book special “green meetings” with locally-sourced menus, recycled paper materials when needed, filtered water service and more.
• Green Roof: Hyatt at Olive 8 has one of Seattle’s largest living rooftops at 8,355 square feet, and provides a crucial urban habitat for birds, bees and butterflies. It also reduces storm water runoff to city sewers and the amount of pollution entering local rivers, streams and the Puget Sound.
As with all Hyatt properties, Hyatt at Olive 8 participates in the global corporate responsibility program, Hyatt Thrive, recognizing its responsibility to manage the environmental impact of its hotel. Through Hyatt Earth, the company is taking focused, aggressive steps to reduce resource consumption, waste, and emissions at Hyatt hotels, and to protect the natural environment in the communities around the world, including Seattle.
Consumers Seek Out Green Properties
“We’ve found that in today’s competitive market, discerning travelers not only value the ethos of the hotels they select, but also look for green properties more than ever before,” continued Wolf. “We’re proud that we can combine a contemporary and comfortable atmosphere with our eco-friendly initiatives to offer the best experience for travelers.”
“Hotels play an important role in setting an example for sustainability, both for the benefit of their guests and for their staff,” says Arthur Weissman, president and CEO of Green Seal. “It is not only the mark of a quality property that cares for the health and safety of those who occupy it, but its sustainability leadership also serves as a role model for others to employ green practices at home and at their business. Hyatt at Olive 8 is setting an example for all hotels in the U.S. to follow.”
Even before construction began on Hyatt at Olive 8, the developer, R.C. Hedreen Co., realized the value of building a green property that was well designed and sophisticated. During building, the property diverted more than 95 percent of construction debris from landfills by redirecting materials to be reused and recycled, utilized sustainable construction materials, installed green fixtures, and set out to have impressive energy and water savings. Hedreen wanted to expand the hotel’s impact beyond downtown, and donated nearly $1 milliom toward the preservation of 284 acres on Sugarloaf Mountain in rural King County, as well as vital salmon habitat. Hyatt at Olive 8 uses 30 percent less energy and 20 percent less water than hotels of comparable size, and will continue to set and strive for rigorous savings and standards.
For more information on Hyatt at Olive 8, visit www.hyattatolive8.com.
