PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide introduces WyndhamGreen Kids, a program designed to teach children ages three to fourteen about the environment, their communities, and the world. Children from all around the world will be able to learn how to take care of the planet using six core strategies: energy conservation, water conservation, recycling/reusing, education, community involvement, and innovation.
Wyndham Worldwide celebrated Earth Day by educating kids about sustainability locally at its headquarters in Parsippany, N.J., as well as nationally through the WyndhamGreen Kids website where children can find workbook activities and hands-on activities arranged by their local environmental organizations.
“We are proud to be one of the first hospitality companies to launch a dedicated sustainability program for children,” said Faith Taylor, Wyndham Worldwide vice president, sustainability and innovation. “This program is just one pillar of Wyndham’s overall commitment to sustainability. As a global company, we are committed to conserving resources, preserving natural habitats and preventing pollution in order to meet the needs of our customers and the lives of future generations.”
WyndhamGreen by Wyndham Worldwide, the company’s recently launched sustainability program, is seizing the opportunity to manage energy consumption as a part of the company’s overall green strategy across its businesses and brands, which together encompass nearly 70,000 properties in 100 countries. Due to its numerous brands, properties and distribution points, WyndhamGreen is expected to have a large impact on the company’s overall carbon footprint.
Best Practices Document Released
The recently released WyndhamGreen Global Best Practices document showcases the company’s initiatives in energy and water conservation, recycling, education, community programs and innovation. Kicking off the company’s commitment is Wyndham Worldwide’s Silver LEED certified 250,000-square-foot headquarters, located in Parsippany, N.J. The building is expected to reduce water, energy and waste by 10 to 30 percent. The company also recently received the “Green Pioneer” award from ConEdison Solutions for purchasing 100 percent of the building’s electricity from wind generation.
Wyndham Hotel Group is implementing the EarthSmart linen reuse program to save resources and operational costs. The company’s Super 8, Howard Johnson, Travelodge, Days Inn and Ramada brands currently participate. The Wyndham Hotels and Resorts brand developed uniforms spun from recycled plastic bottles. Each uniform requires 66 percent less energy and 90 percent less water to produce than a standard uniform. The upscale hotel chain’s Wyndham ClearAir initiative features allergy-friendly rooms designed at improving air quality. The Wyndham chain also incorporates ecologically-friendly initiatives including use of energy-efficient compact fluorescent lighting; low-flow water practices; Starbucks organic coffees in its restaurants; guestroom key cards made from recycled material; biodegradable guest laundry bags; and numerous recycling efforts.
Wyndham Exchange & Rentals, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals, saved 1.3 million kilowatts annually at its Parsippany headquarters and Indianapolis call center by replacing lighting fixtures and bulbs and installing motion sensors to control lighting and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning units. Last year, RCI was the first in the vacation exchange industry to begin printing all of its resort directories and Endless Vacation magazines for members on FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) paper. RCI also converted vacation confirmations and notifications to members from direct mail to e-mail, saving more than 5 million pieces of paper and an estimated 435 trees.
Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the world’s largest vacation ownership business, provides low- and no-phosphate laundry and dish detergent in its resorts, an initiative that has reduced pollutants by 90,000 pounds since its inception in 2008. Wyndham Vacation Ownership’s Asia Pacific division developed a sustainable destination resort on the Australian island Tasmania that practices conservation of biodiversity and restoration of the natural habitat. The resort utilizes a state-of-the art wastewater treatment plant, and its villas were designed to resemble sea shells to fit into the environment.
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