Santa Monica, CA (July 1, 2008) � The Ambrose Collection, having pioneered
environmentally responsible practices years before �green� buildings were
touted by the media, has made history with the recognition of its flagship
property, The Ambrose, as the first-ever U.S. hotel to earn LEED-EB certification
by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The prestigious honor
positions The Ambrose Collection at the forefront of the green development
movement and verifies its expertise in marrying affordable luxury with
eco-consciousness, offering a profitable new model of �sustainable hospitality.�
Under the vision of its founder and president, Deirdre Wallace, The
Ambrose has earned a Silver LEED-EB (existing building) award, based on
measurements set forth by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Green Building Rating System�, USGBC�s system for designing and constructing
the world�s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings.
LEED-EB certification for The Ambrose was based on a number of environmental
practices. They include:
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Energy efficiency (e.g., all appliances Energy Star-rated; CFL lightbulbs
with dimmers throughout hotel; air conditioner economizers using cooler
outdoor air, when available)
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Water conservation (e.g., linen/towel reuse program; low-flow toilets;
water-saving faucet aerators; lawn sprinklers adjusted to season; drought-tolerant
native landscaping)
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Recycling programs and facilities (e.g., hotel-wide recycling program;
composting of all organic waste; recycled bath tissue, napkins, copy paper,
etc.)
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Whole-building cleaning and maintenance (e.g., 100% non-toxic, biodegradable
cleaners; low-VOC, Green Seal-certified, water-based paints; no aerosols)
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�The Ambrose Collection is to be commended for achieving LEED for Existing
Buildings certification. The hotel is one that both the community
and its customers can be proud of,� said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO,
founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. �The Ambrose will be a showcase
for high-performance, energy-efficient methods and an inspiration for others.�
�Sustainability is the core of The Ambrose Collection�s philosophy and
corporate culture,� adds Wallace. �As the first hotel to be awarded the
LEED-EB certification, The Ambrose - our flagship property - has effectively
raised the bar in the hospitality industry. This achievement will
set the tone for all our future growth and development.�
The Ambrose Collection, having opened its first property in 2003 and
embracing a green agenda soon thereafter, is a member of the Green Hotels
Association and the U.S. Green Building Council, and has previously earned
such accolades as the 2006 Sustainable Quality Award Grand Prize (Santa
Monica Chamber of Commerce), the Google Green Drummer award and Sustainable
Works Green Business Program certification.
In addition, The Ambrose offers its guests free, biodiesel-fueled London
Taxi service around Santa Monica and hybrid and gas/electric chauffeured
limousine service. It also provides all of its employees with complimentary
bus passes, bike storage facilities and onsite showers to encourage no-emission
transportation.
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The Ambrose Internal Operations Include:
 Energy
Conservation:
* ALL appliances are Energy Star rated
* Compact fluorescent lights with dimmers throughout
the hotel
* Energy efficient LED exit signs
* Energy efficient front load washing machines
* Energy efficient photocopiers with double sided
capacity
* Regularly scheduled in house maintenance of our
HVAC system (coils checked and cleaned, compressor pressure checked, complete
belt check)
* Economizers on A/C unit which increases fresh
air circulation and uses cooler outdoor air when available
* Weather stripping to close air gaps around doors
and windows
* Preventative maintenance on ALL of our equipment
to keep it efficient and effective
* 15% of guestrooms are powered by Clean and Green
Wind Power
* Guestrooms naturally ventilated with opening windows
Water Conservation:
* Water broom & dry sweep to clean concrete and
asphalt
* Linen and towel reuse program
* Low flow toilets (1.3gpf) and water saving faucet
aerators (1.75gpf)
* Sprinklers adjusted according to season
* Native plants
Non-Toxic Housekeeping Practices:
* Clean Environment Co. Natural Brand cleaned guestrooms,
non-toxic 100% all naturally derived biodegradable cleaners made from replenishable
natural resources: hand dishwashing soap, basin, tub and tile cleaner,
all purpose cleaner, laundry detergent, chlorine free bleach, furniture
polish and carpet shampoo
* No aerosol spray cans or toxic cleaning chemicals
used
* Green team training meetings to introduce our
staff to non-toxic cleaning procedures
* Eco-lab�s commitment to sustainability begins
with its approach to creating products, programs and services that reduce
safety risks and environmental impacts, emphasizing closed systems that
minimize opportunities for exposing our guests to chemicals
* Low VOC Green Seal certified water based paints
Waste Reduction:
* Hotel wide Red Bin Recycling Program
* Recycling bins in all public areas
* Compost all organic waste Currently recycling
over 60% of our waste output
* office bulletin board, dry erase white boards,
staff in-house email and voicemail communication eliminating unnecessary
paper printed reports
* California Recycles, Inc cellular phone recycling
program drop-off location
* 100% recycled bath tissues, napkins, copy paper
etc.
* Reuse packaging for shipping
* Employee use policy for room service/ catered
leftovers
* Glass cups in ALL guestrooms, mugs for all staff
members - no disposable utensils or tableware � No Styrofoam!
* All clients are encouraged to recycle used business
meeting materials and to use linen and glassware instead of disposable
paper products
Alternative Transportation:
* Beach cruiser rental
* London Taxi (powered by bio-diesel fuel) carpooling
to popular neighborhood locations
* Eco-limo our preferred limousine service, hybrid
& gas/electric chauffeured transportation
* Big Blue Bus and LA Metro bus route maps provided
for staff and guests
* Employee bike storage/shower
* Annually participate in Santa Monica�s ride share
program survey
* Preferred parking spaces for hybrid vehicle
* The Ambrose actively participates in Los Angeles
Metro�s Transit Access program by providing all Ambrose employees with
complimentary bus passes. In an effort to lower employee commuting costs
and in honor of our commitment to sustainability, all Ambrose team members
are eligible for this new addition to our benefits package.
Staff and Guest Awareness:
* Conservation signs in all guestrooms promoting
linen reuse program
* Green Information page in guestroom compendium
* Recycle bins/ signs in public areas
* Green information Box located in lobby (bike routes,
local walking maps, non-profit information, community event flyers and
brochures)
* Green meeting planner attached to all emails to
guests inquiring about renting meeting space
* Green information binder for front desk staff
� ALL front desk agents are required to review
* Green Agreement in Employee Handbook , new staff
member training
* All Ambrose brochures, flyers, compendiums, business
cards, menus etc are printed on 100% recycled papers
* Green Team leader to manage, support and implement
all sustainable practices and programs
Community Service:
* Here, There and Everywhere E-newsletter: �Everywhere�
section highlights the work of a different international non-profit every
month
* Paid volunteer opportunities for staff members
(Heal the Bay Coastal Clean up Day, Tree People Tree Planting etc.)
* Active supporter of local non-profits and charitable
organizations
http://www.ambrosehotel.com |
About The Ambrose Collection
The Ambrose Collection is committed to offering a new model of �sustainable
hospitality� in providing guests an experience of affordable luxury that
integrates earth-friendly practices. Its flagship hotel, The Ambrose
in Santa Monica, California (www.ambrosehotel.com), is a 77-room property
that has garnered wide acclaim since opening in 2003. 944 Magazine
called it �the ultimate relaxing green getaway,� and the hotel has also
earned many other accolades. Also acclaimed for its complimentary
organic, �gourmet continental� breakfasts, The Ambrose offers guests luxury-class
accommodations, gratis parking, unlimited WiFi and cable Internet throughout
the hotel, and free, biodiesel-fueled London Taxi service.
About the U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit membership organization
whose vision is a sustainable built environment within a generation. Its
membership includes corporations, builders, universities, government agencies,
and other nonprofit organizations. Since UGSBC�s founding in 1993, the
Council has grown to more than 13,000 member companies and organizations,
a comprehensive family of LEED® green building rating systems, an expansive
educational offering, the industry�s popular Greenbuild International Conference
and Expo (www.greenbuildexpo.org), and a network of 72 local chapters,
affiliates, and organizing groups. For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.
About LEED
The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green
Building Rating System� is a feature-oriented rating system that awards
buildings points for satisfying specified green building criteria. The
six major environmental categories of review include: Sustainable Sites,
Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor
Environmental Quality and Innovation and Design. Certified, Silver, Gold,
and Platinum levels of LEED green building certification are awarded based
on the total number of points earned within each LEED category. Incentives
for LEED are available at the state and local level and LEED has also been
adopted nationwide by federal agencies, state and local governments, and
interested private companies. For more information, visit www.usgbc.org/LEED. |
