“Keys” To a Greener Planet
In an effort to reduce its global environmental footprint, Marriott International will begin using more recycled and eco-friendly products as part of its environmental strategy. The hotel chain will begin replacing old products with new, eco-friendly products effective immediately. Some of these products include:
- Recycled key cards – Marriott will begin replacing their 24 million plastic key cards purchased annually with cards made from 50 percent recycled material. This will eliminate 66 tons of plastic from entering the landfills.
- Recycled paper products – Most of the paper products used in the hotel are now made of recycled paper.
- Coreless toilet paper – 500 hundred hotels will begin using “coreless” toilet paper, eliminating an estimated two million cores annually. The new toilet tissue is made of 20-40 percent recycled fiber.
- Eco-Smart™ pillows – Guests will soon fall asleep on pillows made from 100 percent recycled PET bottles, rather than the synthetic materials in the current pillows.
- BIC Ecolutions™ pens – Marriott began purchasing these pens, made from pre-consumer recycled plastic, in April. Marriott purchases approximately 47 millions pens annually.
- Low VOC paint – Marriott committed to buying nearly one million gallons of low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paint, which is safer to use, helps minimize health risks and is less polluting to the environment.
The greening of their $10 billion supply chain is just one of five key points in Marriott’s environmental strategy, which also includes carbon offsetting through rainforest conservation, green building construction, employee and guest environmental engagement and water, waste and energy reduction.
