Green initiatives by Marriott hotels in Dubai

Marriott hotels around the world are doing a lot to conserve natural resources and preserve the environment. From trash removal and recycling to conserving energy and water, Marriott hotels are constantly employing methods that preserve the natural surroundings. One of the key areas of the company's Environmental Conscious Hospitality Operations or better known as ECHO program is wildlife preservation and going green.

Four Marriott hotels in Dubai have taken great steps to conserve the environment in several ways. JW Marriott Dubai, Courtyard by Marriott Dubai Green Community, Marriott Executive Apartments Green Community and Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek have strived to be good stewards and responsible neighbours by seeking ways to preserve its natural habitat by going green and at the same time encourage its associates to appreciate the unique and fragile aspects of the local environment.

Associates have been busy on the green front participating in activities that educate and inspire them to support the environment through their everyday actions at home or while at work.

Stand up Mission Green Earth pledge

On 19th of October, associates from the Courtyard by Marriott Dubai Green Community and the Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek joined 117 million people world wide for the 'Mission Green Earth Stand Up Take Action' campaign. Associates took a pledge to support the Millennium Development goals established by the United Nations.

One of the Millennium Development goals is to 'Ensure environmental sustainability'. As part of this pledge the hotel associates will plant trees on the premises in the coming weeks.

Short listed for Arabia Corporate Social Responsibility Awards Trophy by Emirates Environmental Group

On the 26th of October The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) organized a gala dinner to present the Arabia Corporate Social Responsibility Awards. The awards are given to nominated companies that show best practices, leadership and innovation in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility. From the many entries that EEG received, Marriott was short listed as one of the top 40 companies to be evaluated by a panel of elite international experts. In fact, Marriott was the only hotel chain that was short listed.

"Being short listed as one of the best 40 companies is a great recognition for all our efforts in making our hotels as environmental friendly as possible." said Wael Farouk, Director of Engineering for Courtyard and Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek. Reducing energy and water consumption, separating garbage for recycling and monitoring the processes, are daily practices that Marriott executes to minimize the damage impact on the environment.

Show around at Union Paper Mills

This October associates from the Courtyard by Marriott Dubai Green Community were invited by Union Paper Mills recycling plant in Al Quoz to learn how paper is being recycled.

During the tour of the treatment plant associates from different departments such as engineering, housekeeping and food & beverage were shown the entire process of recycling used paper. The associates realized that there is a new life for paper after the bin. This is part of educating and motivating them to recycle used paper. It made everyone aware of the importance of saving more trees. So far year to date, Courtyard by Marriott has recycled 35 tons of paper which equals approximately to 595 trees.

Organic Garden

Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek initiated an organic garden in its individual properties.

The garden is divided in 5 slots for different teams from all departments. Each team is responsible for taking care of its slot and keeping it in good shape. The team that reaps the most yields will win a prize. Associates have planted vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, beetroot and peas which will be used for consumption in the associates' cafeteria.

Earth Day(22 April)

Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement. The Marriott Hotels participated by switching some of the lights from 6.00pm to midnight. 400kw has been successfully saved on this day.