WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Washington Marriott at Metro Center announced that it has received the 2010 Environmental Excellence Award for “Outstanding Achievement by a Hotel.” The hotel is one of nine District businesses and nonprofit organizations recognized for their environmental stewardship, innovative best practices, pollution prevention and resource conservation.
“We are delighted to be recognized by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the city of Washington, D.C. for our efforts to reduce energy, water, waste and the way we demonstrate how responsible hotel operations can be a positive force for the environment,” said Meg Bobinski, general manager, Washington Marriott at Metro Center. “Our associates are fully committed to Marriott’s ‘Spirit to Preserve’ environmental initiative for greener hotel operations and believe that it is our responsibility to provide a greener experience for our guests.”
To celebrate, Washington Marriott at Metro Center is hosting a complimentary “Green Tea Time,” complete with iced green tea and executive chef Aaron Tootill’s freshly baked organic cookies and snacks, in its lobby every afternoon throughout the month of August. Washington Marriott at Marriott Center’s green accomplishments and initiatives include:
• The hotel saved 745,685 kWh in electricity in 2009 when compared to the previous year with the implementation of energy efficient lighting with programmable and dimmable automation as well as utilization of an energy management system controlling the heating/cooling and lighting of the banquet space.
• The hotel is saving an estimated 600,000 gallons of water a year by converting all restroom urinals to water-free.
• Fire & Sage Restaurant installed recycled wood flooring and uses linen-less dining tables.
• All lighting fixtures within the hotel use energy-efficient bulbs.
• Guestroom bathrooms have low-flow showerheads and toilets.
• Participates in Marriott’s water/energy saving linen program to include both bedding and towels.
• Guestroom keys made from 50 percent recycled materials.
• Participates in Marriott’s newspaper program offering guests the option to choose one paper or decline.
Green Meetings
• 100 percent of the hotel’s meeting space is on an energy management system, ensuring lights and temperature are minimized during vacancy.
• Hotel uses linen-less tables for meeting sets and serves filtered water in glass pitchers instead of bottled water for meetings.
• Provides organic meeting room candy, sustainable menu and organic floral options by customer request.
• Meeting note pads are made from 100 percent recycled materials, pens are made from 75 percent recycled materials, and there is a recyclable box lunch program.
• Hotel uses Earthwise recycled beverage napkins.
Recycling Efforts
• Central recycling for guest participation—meeting space, lobby and guest floors.
• Fire & Sage restaurant recycles glass bottles.
• Hotel’s kitchens recycle used oil into biofuel.
• Hotel recycles used fluorescent bulbs, batteries, lighting ballasts, metals, computer components and used refrigerants.
• Hotel reuses damaged linens as cleaning rags.
Chemical Reduction/Earth Friendly Solutions
• The hotel’s pool uses saline water instead of chlorine.
• Purchases from strategic eco-friendly vendors.
• The hotel uses environmentally friendly cleaning products.
More Energy & Water Conservation
• Variable frequency drives installed in 50 percent of air handling units, remaining 50 percent projected to be completed in 2010.
• Guestroom windows secured to reduce loss of conditioned internal air.
Go to the Washington Marriott at Metro Center.
