Jane recently wrote about what you, dear reader, can do to "green" your stay at your favorite hotel. This week, a bit about what Wyndham Worldwide is doing to make its thousands of hotels and vacation ownership properties more eco-friendly.
The corporate giant has embarked upon a new Wyndham Green campaign, aimed at reducing water and energy consumption, improving air quality, minimizing waste by recycling and reusing, and participating in community environmental causes. The campaign is still in its early stages, so the ambitions of its scope have yet to be realized. But it is wonderful to see that Wyndham, along with many of its lodging industry brethren, is on the green bandwagon.
Jane had the opportunity to speak with the lovely Faith Taylor, Vice President, Sustainability and Innovation (Jane loves the title) about Wyndham Green. According to Taylor, among the key steps that have already been taken are the ongoing installation of compact fluorescent lightbulbs at [Is this accurate?] Wyndham and Wyndham Vacation Ownership properties; the addition of low-flow showerheads and toilets, along with faucet aerators, at several European properties; and back-of-the-house recycling programs designed to reduce waste. The implementation of an ozone laundry system, which requires less energy, less detergent and less water, is one of the biggest back-of-the-house initiatives that they are testing to date.
Wyndham is also doing limited market testing of the use of bulk dispensers for bathroom amenities like soap and shampoo. While several European hotel chains have demonstrated the savings this can entail, it may be tricky to introduce the concept to a finicky American market. The testing is designed to gauge consumer acceptance in an increasingly eco-aware environment. Taylor adds that Wyndham is also looking at bathroom amenity product lines that use recycled material in the packaging process. Additionally, she says the company is encouraging its hotels to donate unused amenities to local shelters.
Another test that Jane hopes gets a passing grade is the in-room water dispenser. Taylor says Wyndham, in trying to reduce the waste that comes from plastic water bottles, is looking into it and Jane hopes the public will tap into the concept.
Alternative and limited usage of Solar and Wind Power may be down the road for the company, as may increased use of recycled design materials and low VOC paints for rooms. But at least the green ball is rolling. Consumers can track the company's progress, and get energy saving tips of their own, at the new www.wyndhamworldwide.com/wyndham-green website. The site goes live at the end of September.
