Essay in sheraton sustainability

Mentioning about sustainability practices in hospitality industry, based on reliable researches, Starwood is one of the most successful hotel and resort chain that has made some remarkable practices which not only helps improve its own service systems but also protects the surrounding environment (Green Hotelier, 2014). Their sustainability commitments have been established through “the Global Citizenship” report, which publicly shared the guidance for all of their nine brands with specific policies to protect the whole planet and the brands’ future (Starwoodhotels, 2016). Their practices focus on many aspects and have been launched since 2007: energy efficiency, water efficiency, waste reduction, indoor environment, sustainable F&B, climate change… Sonal P. Dalal, director of Business and Sustainability Council has affirmed that Starwood is making critical necessary changes heading up to ingrain both sustainability and luxury concept into a global hospitality brand. The International Tourism Partnership organization director, Stephen Farrant, also has the same perspective with Sonal, saying that he has witnessed a real commitment to environmental and social responsibility of Starwood by working with them on a wide range of programs.

Sheraton, the largest and most global brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts has been committed to these sustainability policies and achieved many positive results as well as honorable awards (Marino & Ryan, 2011). Sheraton has raised awareness in their internal workplace by guaranteeing maintaining and developing the Property-level Green Council, which is providing alternative means of transportation such as shuttle services or eco-friendly parking. Energy and water conservation are also being noticed by installing variable speed drives in chillers to reduce hotels’ overall electricity consumption and water conserving systems. They also pay attention on reducing waste and prefer to consider sustainable food and beverage options in order to ensure the environment responsible purchasing policy. Internal workplace is enhanced by maintaining green housekeeping and integrating pest management practices (Sheraton, n.d) . Make a Green Choice (MAGC) program is also applied that offers their guests to help minimize their environmental footprint by foregoing full housekeeping for up to three days in a row, customers then can receive 250-500 starpoints in member card or $5 food and beverage voucher. This can help save surprisingly amount of water, natural gas, cleaning product chemicals and reduce electricity consumption. There are also different MAGC options include: eco-friendly air conditioning; water bar station instead of plastic bottles; no chair or table linen in meeting room; paper and notepad are available while requested; using 100% recycled paper for printing service (Sheraton, n.d).

Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel and Casino has become the first hotel in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and the first Sheraton in the world that been named “New-Construction LEED certified Property”. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a globally green-building certification, authorized by the U.S. Green Building Council (Marino & Ryan, 2011). According to Randall H., general manager of Sheraton Puerto Rico, this certification has reflected the sustainable commitment to the environment of Sheraton and proved that Sheraton has met the standards of a green-building. Rick F., the president, CEO & founding chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council agrees that Sheraton is now being a part of innovative building projects, which offers unprecedented opportunity to react immediately to the most essential challenges including global climate change, non-sustainable sources of energy and threats to human health.