The Westin Wilmington Went Beyond Minimum Green Lodging Requirements
The Westin Wilmington Hotel has been certified for Delaware’s Green Lodging Program after implementing best conservation and pollution prevention practices at the hotel’s location on the Wilmington Waterfront. The hotel met certification requirements of the voluntary program jointly sponsored by DNREC and the Delaware Hotel & Lodging Association by implementing the five basic green lodging practices: recycling, water conservation, optional linen service, energy conservation and a “green events” package.
The Westin Wilmington also went beyond minimum green lodging requirements and incorporated additional creative and common sense ideas that include: purchasing paper products that meet EPA minimum standards for post-consumer recycled content material; using recycled key cards; collecting food scraps from the kitchen for composting; and adding a green roof.
Certification in the Green Lodging Program ensures that hotels such as the Westin Wilmington are making efforts to reduce energy consumption, increase water conservation and energy efficiency in all aspects of the hotel and to use recycled and eco-friendly materials in both the construction, as well as the daily operation. The Westin Wilmington was designed to exceed the standards and to be certified as an LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Silver-rated building.
Required pollution prevention practices implemented by Green Lodging-certified hotels include:
- Use of non-phosphate, non-toxic and biodegradable laundry detergents
- Recycling glass, aluminum and steel cans, plastic, office paper, newspapers, cardboard, toner cartridges, electronics, and
- kitchen grease
- Tracking overall waste bills, energy usage and wastewater and overall energy bills
- Use of dishware and glassware to minimize use of disposables
- Encouraging suppliers to minimize packaging
- Purchasing locally grown and organic produce when available
- Use of LED lightbulbs and exit signs, individual programmable thermostats, natural lighting
- Green cleaners
- Preventive maintenance of all appliances, HVAC systems and vehicles
- Use of low flow faucets and showerheads
- Minimization of impervious areas
- Purchase of EnergyStar computers, appliances and other products
About the Delaware Green Lodging Program
The Delaware Green Lodging Program is a voluntary program jointly sponsored by DNREC and the Delaware Hotel & Lodging Association to promote pollution prevention practices and environmental awareness in the tourism and hospitality industry. Facilities that meet the requirements receive a certificate and window decals and can display the Delaware Green Lodging logo on marketing materials.
About the Westin Wilmington
Conveniently located at 818 Shipyard Drive, The Westin Wilmington provides direct access to the Chase Center on the Riverfront, the city’s premier meeting and convention facility. The new Westin is within close proximity of the restaurants, shops, entertainment and cultural venues in the Riverfront district including Frawley Stadium (home of the Wilmington Blue Rocks), Delaware Theatre Company, Delaware Children’s Museum, Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts and the 15-screen Penn Cinema, featuring IMAX offerings. Also nearby are the offices of numerous Fortune 500 companies including Bank of America, Barclays, IBM and JP Morgan Chase.
About PM Hotel Group
PM Hotel Group is an award-winning, independent hotel management company, operating full-service and select-service hotels in the Hilton, Marriott, Starwood and Choice families of brands. The company’s expertise covers all aspect of hotel management operations, including development, technical consulting, marketing, accounting, pre-opening services and on-going management. PMHS currently manages approximately 25 hotel and development projects, comprised of more than 4,000 rooms, throughout the United States. Based in Washington, D.C., PMHS has participated in the development and acquisition/renovation of dozens of hotels with a market capitalization in excess of $1 billion. PMHS is an approved hotel management company for all.
