Starwood has quietly been an industry leader in implementing energy efficient, emission reducing technologies. Starwood has established a public policy on environmental sustainability to facilitate company-wide alignment around green program goals. Through collaboration with our hotel owners, franchisees, suppliers and business partners, we will actively work to reduce the environmental impact of our practices aimed at conserving natural resources, minimizing waste and pollution, enhancing indoor environmental quality, establishing and reporting on key environmental performance indicators, and raising environmental awareness among our associates, guests and communities.
Starwood's green initiatives will target existing builds, new builds and property conversions as well as address the corporate procurement strategy.
At the request of corporate clients and meeting planners, Starwood is in the process of establishing its first Green Meetings program inclusive of a carbon offsetting option for meeting planners.
Green Development
Starwood most recently announced its first LEED-mandated brand, Element. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognized third party certification system for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED was developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization and a leading authority on green building practices.
Starwood is an official member of USGBC and, through its commitment to LEED certification with Element, has become a recognized USGBC Portfolio Program Partner.
In addition to all Element hotels, Starwood currently has a number of new build projects in pursuit of LEED certification within other Starwood brands.
Further, as part of Starwood's global green program development, cost-benefit analysis studies are being conducted on initiatives implemented within LEED projects in order to identify and incorporate into Starwood standards those initiatives which present the greatest benefit to the environment and Starwood property owners.
Energy Efficiency Programs
Starwood utilizes the Six Sigma methodology to execute upon a number of energy efficiency improvement projects. Starwood recently launched an initiative within North America to replace guest room incandescent lights with compact florescent lamps within all Westin, Four Points and Sheraton properties.
In addition, a number of Starwood properties utilize occupancy sensors and/or key card control systems to conserve energy.
Starwood has installed 11 fuel cell power plants in 5 properties across North America. Sheraton San Diego Marina has one of the largest commercial fuel cell installations in the world. Fuel cell power plant technology runs off of natural gas and efficiently provides electricity and thermal energy to properties while generating near zero carbon emissions.
Starwood hotels which are not conveniently located to public transportation also offer shuttle services to guests to minimize the amount of CO2 emissions associated with single occupancy vehicle use. Starwood will additionally be exploring the use of low emitting/fuel efficient shuttles for this purpose.
As part of Starwood's global green program development, energy efficiency practices which have proven effective at individual properties present opportunities for incorporation in Starwood's standard portfolio practices.
Water Conservation Programs
Many Starwood properties have installed water conserving bathroom fixtures.
Additionally, many hotel laundries employ last rinse water re-use programs.
At resorts with water treatment facilities on site, graywater is typically used to irrigate golf courses and landscaping.
Starwood also offers a linen/towel re-use program to hotel owners. While adoption is not mandatory, many hotels have the program in place today.
As part of Starwood's global green program development, water efficiency practices which have proven effective at individual properties present opportunities for incorporation at Starwood's standard portfolio practices.
Waste Minimization and Management Programs
The majority of Starwood's properties currently recycle; however, Starwood is working towards standardizing this practice within divisions.
Starwood is introducing self-service kiosks at hotels to facilitate paperless check in and check out services. Starwood is additionally testing the option to receive an electronic zero balance invoice at a number of properties. Both initiatives will be rolled out to properties gradually, in accordance to completed technology and feasibility studies.
Indoor Environmental Quality Initiatives
Starwood will be piloting a green cleaning program in 2008 which will feature more environmentally benign and health sensitive cleaning agents.
Environmentally Responsible Purchasing
Starwood is in the process of establishing environmentally responsible purchasing guidelines. Guidelines will give preference to locally sourced and organic products as well as products made of biodegradable, recycled and/or renewable sources where cost feasible.
Associate Education & Corporate Initiatives
Starwood recognizes the importance of educating and training associates on environmental sustainability initiatives. Starwood will dedicate a website to provide information to associates on environmental issues and will also facilitate programs that allow associates the opportunity to participate in activities which support environmental causes.
Environmental Affiliations/Partnerships
Starwood has recently partnered with Sustainable Travel International in the development of a carbon offset program offered to Starwood guests and meeting planners. Sustainable Travel International is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing education and outreach services that help travelers, travel providers and related organizations support environmental conservation and protect culture heritage while promoting cross cultural understanding and economic development.
Starwood is building an infrastructure to support the developments and execution of green initiatives.
With executive leadership, the organization is teaming together, centralizing efforts and seeking guidance from environmental sustainability experts to develop a database of leading practices in environmental stewardship for its hotel portfolio.
Starwood is additionally growing internal expertise through staff training on opportunities for greater environmental stewardship. Starwood's Architecture and Design team has participated in company organized workshops on USGBC's LEED certification. LEED principles will influence both new build practices and existing build renovations.
Starwood is committed to transparency and making a measurable difference.
Starwood will begin publicly disclosing its carbon footprint this year by participating in the Carbon Disclosure Project Survey. Tracking and reporting on the efficacy of green initiatives allows Starwood to give priority to those initiatives that present the greatest benefit to the environment and Starwood hotel property owners.
Starwood will additionally communicate environmental program goals and initiatives via dedicated internal and external websites as well as through an annual environmental sustainability report to its Board of Directors.
Starwood is incorporating environmental sustainability into its standards system.
Starwood's green initiatives will target existing builds, new builds and property conversions as well as address our corporate procurement strategy.
Starwood is in the process of revisiting standards and incorporating environmental sustainability into core business practices. Starwood standards will be influenced by recognized certifications such as USGBC's LEED certification, Green Seal and Canada's Green Key as well as proven practices from the field.
As environmental issues differ from location to location, Starwood's goal is to build a foundational program that will allow its hotels to comply with local environmental certifications more easily.
In 2008, Starwood will be announcing a number of divisional initiatives including in-room recycling and green cleaning.
Starwood is helping lead its industry towards a more sustainable future.
Starwood is working closely with International Tourism Partnership, American Hotel & Lodging Association and American Society for Testing and Materials to establish standards for environmental stewardship within the hotel industry.
