The little things that add up to one big green initiative

There are a number of approaches to introducing sustainable practices – you can launch a big initiative with a big cash initiative or you can take the approach of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place: do a lot of the little things that add up to one big green initiative.

The Hyatt, which is part of the giant McCormick Place complex, has achieved amazing results. For example, last year it recycled more than 116 tons of waste. In the same year, composition initiatives using heat and bacteria decomposed more than 110 tons of waste food.  These results have been complemented by a reduction in electricity consumption by 12.7 percent over one year, and water consumption by more than 24 percent.  Initiatives that have led to these reductions include the outsourcing of laundry, an upgrade of lighting systems, and a campaign called “When Not in Use, Turn Off the Juice”.  These initiatives are reinforced by employee training and awareness days.

In the kitchen cooking oil is recycled and reused, and there are future plans for biofuel.  And there’s plenty of recycling – The Hyatt Regency recycles an amazing range of materials from the obvious: newspaper, cardboard, glass and plastic, to construction waste, batteries, electronic items – an initiative that is close to our heart since we launched our television recycling program .  Containers are across the hotel and there are in-room facilities to encourage guests to recycle their belongings.

The hotel not only has its own grassroots approach but participates in its parent’s program: Hyatt Hotels & Resorts ‘Meet and Be Green’.

This is a great example of sustainability initiatives can permeate an entire hotel – across all functions and all stakeholders and with successful buy-in from guests, buyers, planners, housekeeping, management, and other all employees.

It’s also a great example of how people and process can be used with technology to really ensure big results – no matter how small each individual initiative.