I have yet to stay in a LEED certified hotel but Marriott International may help me achieve that goal sooner vs. later.  The hotel giant has announced that more than 30 projects that are in the design, development, or construction phase will eventually receive LEED certification.  This includes the company’s global Headquarters.

 

The Bethesda, Maryland-based Marriott Headquarters is pursuing LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) certification.  During the renovation process, the company diverted more than 450,000 pounds of waste from local landfills and the kitchen converts used cooking oil into biodiesel.

 

Now I understand that “pursuing LEED certification” and “is LEED certified” are quite different, but Marriott already has LEED certified properties on its roster.  As a matter of fact, the company was the first major hotelier in the US to receive LEED certification for a hotel in College Park, Maryland.  

“LEED certification gives these hotels a 'green' stamp of approval that our customers recognize and look for," says Arne Sorenson, Marriott's newly appointed President and Chief Operating Officer and co-chair of the company's Executive Green Council. "Saving energy and reducing waste saves money and helps the environment -- it's good for business and a key part of our growth strategy."  Source: PR Newswire

While a Ritz-Carlton in the Lake Tahoe area is on the list of LEED hopefuls that will open this year, the company is spreading their eco-commitment to all hotel tiers.  In July, a Fairfield Inn & Suites in Baltimore will host a grand opening.  The project is expected to receive LEED Silver certification.  The Fairfield Inn & Suites are Marriott’s value-priced properties.  

 

Photo by zairochka