subject: Marriott International Goes Green In A Big Way [print this page] Coinciding with Earth Days 40th year, Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center now stands out among the Marriott family of hotels as the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold-certified Marriott Hotel in the United States. The hotels Gold LEED certification is the second highest certification possible, and only one of nine such hotels in the United States, of nearly 900 LEED-registered properties.
To achieve this prestigious certification, the Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center Hotel in downtown Portland, worked in under the guidance of hotel management and development group Sage Hospitality to incorporate a number of innovative energy efficient practices. The hotel officially launched its green initiatives along with other Sage Hospitality hotels during Earth Hour on March 27, 2010, encompassing consciousness-raising environmental efforts such as tree planting, Travel Green hotel packages, and complimentary valet parking for hybrid and electric cars at select hotels.
In addition to energy saving efforts, guests have recycling bins guest rooms, the hotel uses green housekeeping products and organic bath products, efficient fluorescent lighting and programs to reduce water usage. Even restaurant food waste is composted rather than thrown away as trash.
Other sustainability practices include:
Non-PVC wall covering, low VOC paints and low urea-formaldehyde casework in the guestrooms will contribute to a healthier indoor environment for both guests and employees.
Located on the Portlands new Green Max Line with easy access to downtown Portland, the Oregon Convention Center and Portland State University by public transportation.
Bicycle storage and changing rooms available for employees.
Uniforms made from recycled plastic bottles.
Kitchen waste composting program that includes turning used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel.
In addition, the hotel was the winner of the 2010 Green Award, sponsored by the Energy Trust of Oregon. Sustainability is much more than a corporate ethos at Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center; as a LEED Gold hotel, it is just how we do business, said Mike Castro, General Manager. As Portlanders, saving energy, protecting the environment and adopting local suppliers, artists and vendors is a way of life.
