Book reuse program begins at Destination Hotels & Resorts in time for National Book Month

In the United States alone, over 20 million pounds of trees are used to print books every year. In an effort to alleviate this environmental impact in time for this October’s “National Book Month,” Destination Hotels & Resorts, popular for their eco-minded mentality toward hospitality, has just launched a new company-wide campaign called “Read & Reuse.” Simultaneously launching at all Destination properties, the campaign was designed by the brand’s “Green Teams” to address the thousands of pounds of books travelers leave at hotels and resorts each year by collecting books to be donated to local libraries, schools and non-profits.

“We launched Destination Earth over a year ago and our Green Teams continually challenge themselves to look for new and unique ways in which we can improve our operations and support our local communities through sustainability efforts,” said Mark Hickey, senior vice president of U.S. Hospitality operations. “Our teams identified that travelers constantly were leaving reading materials at our properties, so we developed a program to recycle these books while supporting local schools, libraries and other organizations.”

This is no small task, but an organization the size of Destinations can certainly make a positive impact. They are the seventh largest independent hospitality management company in the country with more than 30 luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers. To protect and preserve the unique communities in which the company operates, Destination launched Destination Earth, an environmental sustainability program in 2008.

“Read & Reuse is just one way we can continually elevate our ‘recycling’ message with travelers on a regular basis,” commented Hickey. “By launching this in October during National Book Month we hope to educate our guests on this new program and donate thousands of books throughout the year in our local communities.”

Destination Earth creates a baseline standard of sustainable practices for the company’s hotels, resorts, conference centers and condominium properties while encouraging individual properties to be innovative in their operations. As properties reach various stages in their implementation of sustainable practices, new levels of green business practices are identified and outlined for the collection. All properties are encouraged to be resourceful in indentifying and implementing green practices that are relevant to their operation and community.

Destination Earth was developed in recognition of the need to preserve the world in which Destination Hotels & Resorts operates and serves its guests. The company is dedicated to practices and programs that pay respect to and lessen its footprint on the changing environment. Destination Hotels & Resorts recognizes that its customers, owners and associates all benefit from and desire a healthy, sustainable environment. As the company continues on the journey of environmental stewardship, it is committed to maintaining the superior guest experience that customers have come to expect while reducing impact on the earth’s natural resources.

So, if you plan on staying at a Destination Hotels & Resorts property during the month of October, or know of anyone who might, be sure to inquire about Read & Reuse activities at their local Destination property or when staying at a property in the collection.

For more information, visit www.destinationhotels.com.