What is Sheraton doing to go green in Seattle?

Sheraton Seattle has recently been recognized by AH&LA for its environmental commitment with the 2009 Good Earthkeeping Stars of the Industry Award. From recycling to laundering, green teams and cleaning products, the property has become a model for green responsibility to both guests, employees and competition.

This annual award is one in six categories recognizing outstanding hotel programs throughout the country.

“At Sheraton Seattle, we have spent the last few years remodeling our hotel to ensure that it’s structurally a leader in environmental stewardship,” said Matthieu Van Der Peet, general manager of the Sheraton Seattle.

“During this time we have also created a Green Team to promote green programming within the hotel to encourage our staff and guests to join us in protecting the environment. We are honored to be the largest hotel to receive this esteemed award from AH&LA and look forward to continuing our efforts to protect our environment.”

Building upon a long-standing history of supporting environmentally friendly initiatives, the Sheraton Seattle was an early adopter of a voluntary recycling program in 1993 and over the years has implemented a number of programs and enhancements that have furthered their environmental conservation.

In 2008, the Sheraton Seattle created a comprehensive Green Strategy, which focused on three major areas: building infrastructure and physical enhancements; increasing associate awareness and involvement; and guest participation.

Through these initiatives the Sheraton Seattle has been able to reduce their energy index by more than 20% in 2008. They have also been able to recycle over 24,000 pounds, or 12 tons, of materials per month.

Green Team promotions

Guests are given the option to go green through the “You Tidy We Treat Program” where guests can opt out of daily linen and towel replacement and be rewarded for their green efforts with a $5 gift certificate or 500 Starwood points for each day they opt-out. Also, all guest rooms are cleaned with approved green chemicals which are dispensed through a bag to reduce packaging, shipping and storing of the products.

In the first two months of this program, over 3,000 guests participated and the Sheraton was able to increase bookings at the hotel specifically because of this program.

Taking the green approach even further, all Sheraton Seattle employees are invited to participate in environmentally-focused charitable organizations and community events, while a 25% public transportation subsidy helps defray the cost of public transportation for associates. The Green Team is also in the final steps of creating a “compost-only” associate cafeteria where all food waste and debris from meals are 100% compostable.

Energy and water conservation at the hotel includes the installation of the latest hot water heating technology, the modular advance concept (MAC) system, which saves over 4,800 Kwh of electricity annually. All light bulbs have also been changed to energy efficient bulbs, and motion-sensor lights were added to meeting spaces. Low flow toilets, showerheads and sink aerators have also been added to guest rooms.

On a global level, throughout the past year the Sheraton Seattle has participated in such green efforts as joining tens of millions of citizens throughout the world in the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour and cleaning up the local Puget Sound waterways.

For more information on the AH&LA Stars of the Industry program, along with a complete list of 2009 winners, please visit www.ahla.com/stars.