SEATTLE—Since opening seven years ago, Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle has increasingly integrated sustainable practices into its front and back of house operations, and into the community. Within the last month, the hotel has been honored with a Washington State-wide award from Seattle Business magazine and achieved re-certification from Green Globe, a U.N.-sanctioned certification that recognizes travel and tourism leaders for sustainability efforts.
At a recent awards ceremony, Seattle Business magazine identified its 2013 Washington Green 50 list of outstanding sustainability organizations, and named 12 winners from diverse industries throughout the state. According to the magazine, winners were selected from a large pool of nominations by a panel of judges from prominent organizations in the region, including the Washington Environmental Council, Climate Solutions, the Bainbridge Graduate Institute and the Washington Clean Technology Alliance. Pan Pacific was the winner in the Hospitality category.
In 2012, Pan Pacific was the first boutique hotel in the United States to receive Green Globe Certification. In order to be distinguished a second year, the hotel had to show continuous improvement across certain markers—energy, community partners, vendor procurement and associate engagement. Pan Pacific provided comprehensive improvements, such as replacing the complimentary guest shuttle with a 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, reducing the amount of gas consumed by one-third; and selecting a new office supply vendor—Office Depot, recognized as the No. 1 Greenest Large Retailer in America in Newsweek Green Rankings. Green Globe has certified 429 members in 93 countries.
“Pan Pacific Hotel is thrilled to earn the esteemed Green Globe Certification for the second year and appear among an impressive array of companies in Seattle Business’ Green 50,” said Pan Pacific general manager Sam Johnson. “These significant achievements would not be possible without our team members’ ongoing commitment to the principles in our PanEarth program.”
Pan Pacific’s PanEarth sustainability program was created in January 2011 and has since raised more than $21,000 for various local charitable organizations and collected or donated more than 13,000 pounds of food. Between its biodegradable key cards and front desk staff uniforms made of recycled bottles, sanitizing of guest soap for relief efforts through Clean The World, and staff-wide community volunteer days, the hotel is dedicated to reducing its environmental impact while enhancing guest experience.
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