Starwood and Sheraton Montazah Advance Environmental Sustainability Efforts

ALEX, Egypt - March 20, 2013 - PRLog -- People want to feel good about the company behind the brand. That is why our promise to do the right thing and respect our environment is so important to us.  

We consider today’s business environment a call to action as we deepen our commitment to environmental sustainability through a multi-year transformation of how we do business.   Starwood’s environmental sustainability approach includes reducing the environmental impact of our business, developing sustainable products and services to meet customer needs and creating a company culture committed to sustainability.

Reducing our impact on the environment
Starwood is working to reduce carbon emissions and is committed to reporting on progress annually using the Carbon Disclosure Project Survey and Starwood’s Sustainability Report.  To achieve our sustainably goals we have designed a two pronged strategy.   First, we are building greener hotels in collaboration with our owners and developers and have created green building guidelines. Second, we are focused on changing hotel operations to improve the health of the environment across our global portfolio of 960 hotels.  Our initiatives were shaped by client needs, shareholder input and hotel best practices.  In addition, our initiatives align with environmental certification programs to help our hotels meet locally adopted certification standards. At present, more than 130 Starwood hotels have either achieved or are in pursuit of a third-party certification including LEED, Green Seal, Green Globe, Green Key and Energy-Star.

Developing sustainable products and services to meet customer needs
Innovation is in Starwood’s DNA and we are putting it to good use to help shape new products and services that meet our customers’ needs while improving the guest and customer experience.   In 2006, we made history with the launch of Element Hotels – Starwood’s green trailblazer and the first major hotel chain to require all its hotels to pursue the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification.  Starwood is also developing a carbon offset program, and launching a new sustainable meetings concept to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals when conducting meetings at Starwood properties. Look for additional sustainable solutions as we continue to develop our environmental program.

Creating a company culture committed to sustainability
Most importantly, we are making sustainability a part of our culture.  We kicked off our sustainability efforts by creating a dedicated Department of Environmental Sustainability, now part of our Global Citizenship team, and publishing an environmental sustainability policy.  We recently launched the Starwood Sustainability Resource Center, a one-stop-shop for associates to learn more about environmental sustainability and how to execute on program initiatives.  In early 2009 we also made important operational improvements at our White Plains headquarters to support our sustainability efforts.

There are many Starwood Hotels inspiring environmental change. See how Sheraton Montazah Hotel Alexandria Egypt is leading the charge via following processes :

- Implementing “ Make a green choice “ program; an environmental program
where stay-over guests will be able to decide if they would like to have the room linen
changed on a daily base or not, the matter that will save energy.

- Placing recycling bins partially in hotel rooms as a pilot phase ( 2 floors). A plan is
In place for full implementation shortly.

- Implementing carbon footprint techniques to reduce them in hotel operations.

- Waste reduction and recycling tips are given to staff including, kitchen, maintenance,
food and beverage.

- Installing water savers for taps and shower heads.

- Controlling waste processes :(fluorescent bulbs, batteries, various electronics contain
toxic materials ).

- Installing energy saving bulbs in different parts of the hotel.

- Wall magazines and posters are placed at heart of the house to increase staff awareness of  environmental issues and green thinking.

- Installing natural gas instead of fuel oil to reduce the CO2 footprint

- Using energy star equipment to reduce energy consumption.

- Providing 2 nonsmoking floors.

- Converting the boiler to be operated by natural gas burner.

- Using green products and specially treated paints and materials for guest rooms’
Cleaning and maintenance.

- Closing tumble dryer doors after unloading to retain heat and make regular checks of seals
to ensure heat is not escaping .

- Choosing detergents that are best for the environment.

- Using automatic measuring systems which dispense only the exact amount required.

- Using water softening to reduce the amount of detergent used.

- Using bamboo baskets for guest laundry return.

- Associates always wear gloves while cleaning guest rooms or public areas.

- Chemicals used  are environmentally friendly.

- Safety of staff and guests is a top priority at all times. This includes, for
example, the safe functioning, adequate ventilation and proper maintenance of boilers and
heating systems to avoid creating toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide.