Extended Stay America (ESA) has completed the renovation of more than half of its 682 properties in the United States and Canada. It is a program that began in 2012 that should wrap up sometime next year. What is impressive about the program is ESA’s commitment not to throw away recyclable or donatable items. So far, 25 million cubic feet of materials has been diverted from the landfill. ESA is not a company that typically comes to mind when it comes to sustainability. Aside from a mention of supporting the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge program, there is no mention of anything having to do with the environment or corporate responsibility on the company’s website. In its most recent annual report (2013), the word “sustainability” is not mentioned. Just because it is not as vocal as other companies about sustainability does not mean ESA is not serious when it comes to diverting renovation waste from the landfill or reducing its carbon footprint.
As part of the renovation program, more than 437,000 square feet of cardboard and more than 9 million square feet of carpet have been recycled, and 11.7 acres of fabric has been donated. “Waste” such as pallets are sent to companies for refurbishment and reuse. ESA works with carpet manufacturers that take used carpet for recycling. Ben Simmons, Facilities Project Manager for ESA, says the used carpet ends up at a plant in Georgia for recycling where it is shredded and ultimately made into new carpet.
All types of bedding—sheets, coverlets, comforters—are sent to local charities and so too are curtains. All mattresses and box springs that leave renovated hotels are recycled—the wood into mulch, the steel into reusable metal, the foam into carpet pad, and the cotton into insulation. Light bulbs are donated to charities. More than 112,956 furniture pieces have been donated to Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army and hundreds of local charities. ESA also donated 27,933 pieces of artwork to local charities.
Logistics of Project a Challenge
In speaking with ESA’s Simmons, I got the sense that it was not always easy to find a home for the recyclables and donatable items. Take a look at a map of ESA’s footprint and you will see why. The hotels are located in 45 states and several cities in Canada. That is a lot of logistics to handle.
In addition to focusing on waste diversion as part of it renovation project, ESA is working to make its hotels more energy and water efficient. Low flow showerheads are being installed. More efficient lighting is being placed indoors and also on the building’s exterior. Parking lot lighting is being upgraded to LEDs. In some cases T-12 lamps have been replaced with T-8s. Particular attention has been paid to PTAC/HVAC cleaning and maintenance.
“In 2014 Extended Stay America announced a partnership with Stem, Inc., to install its advanced energy storage systems across 68 locations to reduce energy usage during peak periods,” Crider told me. “By drawing on previously stored power during peak times of the day, the batteries are designed to reduce Extended Stay America’s energy costs without any impact to the hotels’ daily operations. By reducing consumption during peak usage hours ESA helps generators more easily meet the grid load requirements as well as minimizing the need for investment in new generation assets.”
Crider added that currently, Extended Stay America is exploring implementing a renewable energy pilot program at four hotels in California. As a first step, executives are currently reviewing proposals to add solar panels to roofs and parking canopies.
It is great to see a company like ESA, one that owns and operates all of its hotels, pay so much attention to how its progress impacts the environment and the local communities where it has a presence. It is a commitment worth emulating.
GLN Adds ZING Green Safety Products as Directory Partner
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Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
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