PHOENIX—Classic Hotels & Resorts recently announced its partnership with 1% for the Planet, a globally-recognized alliance of businesses that understand the necessity of protecting the natural environment, as the network’s first ever hotel management company to join. Pledging 1% of its annual hotel management revenues to sustainability-focused nonprofit organizations, Classic also co-sponsored a portion of the network’s Global Summit which took place last month.
“Our member companies have donated more than $175 million to our environmental nonprofit partners to date,” says Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet. “Currently, only 3 percent of total philanthropy goes to the environment and, only 3 percent of that comes from businesses. The planet needs bigger support than this, and our growing network of member businesses is doing its valuable part to increase giving and support on the ground outcomes. Our members lead with purpose and commitment, characteristics that consumers support. We’re excited to welcome Classic to our global network.”
As part of Classic’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, their portfolio of hotels have implemented a number of green initiatives on-property, including the following:
- Partnership with Proud Source Water;
- Compostable drink straws;
- Resort-wide compost and recycling education initiatives;
- Significant reduction of single-use paper/plastic products;
- Partnership with Clean the World;
- Bulk soap and shampoo dispensers in guestrooms;
- Water conservation practices;
- Tesla charging stations for electric cars;
- Local area shuttle services;
- Trip reduction program for associates; and
- Recycling of obsolete electronic equipment (via ER2, over 2.5 tons to date).
“We feel it our duty to take a greater responsibility for the cost of environmental impact and our partnership with 1% for the Planet recognizes this focus. We are the first hotel management company to do so, and hope that this commitment compels fellow management companies to follow suit,” says John Grossman, President of Classic.
In Support of The Plastic Pollution Coalition
“As owners and operators of over 1,300 hotel rooms in three states, we have a unique opportunity to achieve measurable impact through the magnification of our initiatives,” Grossman says. “With over 900 associates, and hundreds of thousands of guests each year, we are poised to make a sizeable impact in both financial contribution to our selected beneficiaries and increased awareness by our guests and associates, alike. In 2018, we selected The Plastic Pollution Coalition as our primary beneficiary and have committed to eliminating a minimum of 50 percent of single-use plastic items in all six of our hotels and resorts.”
Members of 1% for the Planet contribute one percent of annual sales directly to any of the approved nonprofit environmental organizations in the network. Nonprofits are approved through a rigorous review of efficacy and environmental focus. Thousands of nonprofits worldwide are currently approved.
