Over the years I have posted about the Fairmont Washington, D.C.’s Sustainability Fair. I just received word that the hotel will hold its eleventh annual Sustainability Fair on Friday, September 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. I always give this event some publicity because it is so unique—formally inviting vendors and the public into a hotel space to celebrate sustainability. Each time I have been contacted by Diana Bulger, Area Director of Public Relations for the hotel.
Some of this year’s participants include: Balance Gym, Compostology, DC Beekeepers Alliance (live honeybees), DC Sustainable Energy Utility, Destination DC, Department of Energy and Environment, Dog Tag Bakery, Eat or Toss, the Fairmont Washington, D.C. Georgetown’s Beekeepers (honey tastings), Guiding Eyes for the Blind (puppy raisers and puppies in training), Keany Produce, Land Rover of Alexandria (hybrid vehicles), Metropolitan Police Department, River Smart Homes DC, The Rounds, US Green Building Council, Watershed Protection DC, World Wildlife Fund, and Zero Waste.
The Fairmont’s Sustainability Fair is free and open to the public. Guests will be treated to a taste of honey from the hotel’s rooftop hives, and each guest will be entered to win some great prizes. Many of the participants bring complimentary samples for attendees such as baked goods and energy saving light bulbs. To register visit Eventbrite Here.
The Fairmont Washington, D.C. has a long list of environment-related initiatives. A few of them include:
- The hotel is a five Green Key rated hotel.
- In 2022 it eliminated all single use plastic from the hotel.
- All lighting has been retrofitted to LEDs.
- Changed the chilled water system from a constant volume usage to a variable volume usage.
- Incorporated a demand-based-ventilation sequence for all major air handling units, which reduces energy load on the central plant.
- All food and beverage outlets and kitchens now separate food. Food “waste” is picked up three times weekly for composting.
- The hotel has partnered with The Greener Oil Company to collect kitchen grease to be recycled and used in the production of biodiesel fuel and recycles approximately 325 gallons each quarter.
- The property transitioned to a hydrocarbon-powered dry cleaning machine, replacing the toxic chemical Perc with DF-2000, an environmentally friendly product that does not produce toxic wastes or hazards.
