Marriott and Hilton are both making changes to stop using Styrofoam and styro-based products.
Marriott International headquarters says it will replace 2.5 million pieces, or 20 tons, of Styrofoam and plastic utensils used annually with those made of potato (SpudWare), sugar cane and cornstarch, all biodegradable within an average of 100 days.
Marriott headquarters will also distribute free reusable “to go” mugs and water bottles to employees to encourage conservation. Green ambassadors from throughout the company will teach employees green office strategies, with demonstrations on recycling, composting and energy conservation.
“With more than 3,000 employees at Marriott Headquarters, if we all do our part, we can definitely make a difference-both at the office and at home,” says Jim Young, Senior Director of Corporate Facilities at Marriott’s headquarters.
Hilton Garden Inn is introducing International Paper’s ecotainer in more than 340 locations across North America. The cup is the only all-natural hot beverage paper cup available that is coated with a corn-based plastic that requires less energy and generates less greenhouse gas during manufacturing, according to Hilton. The corn-based coating allows the cups to be composted, rather than landfilled.
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Comments
Any move to adopt more bio-degradeable packaging options is good news - especially from hotel chains that by their very nature have to deal in lots of disposable, single use products.
But remember, we also all have the option of taking our own cup or mug to our favourite ‘to go’ cafe. If keeping all those cups out of landfill isn’t reason enough for you, perhaps you’ll be swayed by the small discount many cafes give to customers who bring their own cup. Or the best reason: coffee ALWAYS tastes better from a ‘real’ cup.
So grab your favourite cup, whether it’s a purpose-made travel mug, your grandmothers finest china or the Bugs Bunny one with rabbit ears for a handle, and sip your Java from that instead.
Ben Eade November 16th, 2007