Started
in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue
Ribbon Flies, 1% for the
Planet is a global organization that connects dollars and doers to
accelerate smart environmental giving. Through business and individual
memberships, 1% for the Planet inspires people to support environmental
organizations through annual membership and everyday actions. They advise on
giving strategies, certify donations, and amplify the impact of the network. 1%
members have given more than $175 million to environmental nonprofits to date. 1%
for the Planet is a network of more than 1,200 member businesses, a new and
expanding core with hundreds of individual members, and thousands of nonprofit
partners in more than 60 countries.
Late last month, Classic Hotels &
Resorts announced its partnership with 1% for the Planet. Classic
Hotels & Resorts is the network’s first ever hotel management company to
join. Pledging 1% of its annual hotel management revenues to
sustainability-focused nonprofit organizations, Classic co-sponsored a portion
of the network’s Global Summit, which took place earlier this month in
Portland, Ore.
According to the 1% for the Planet website, Classic Hotels & Resorts joins
17 other properties or companies in the organization’s Hospitality category. Legacy
Vacation Resorts is also a member.
One of Many Company Initiatives
Joining 1% for the Planet website is just part of Classic Hotels & Resorts’
commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability. Here are some
additional company initiatives:
- Partnership with Proud Source Water
- Compostable drink straws
- Resort-wide compost & 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
- Recycling of obsolete electronic equipment (via ER2, over 2.5 tons to date)
“We feel it is our duty to take a greater responsibility for the cost of environmental impact and our partnership with 1% for the Planet recognizes this focus,” says John Grossman, President of Classic. “We are the first hotel management company to do so, and hope that this commitment compels fellow management companies to follow suit.”
Adds Grossman, “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. 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 guest 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.”
