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The Mission Today, Kimpton’s mission is to lead the hospitality industry in supporting a sustainable world, by continuing to delivera premium guest experience through non-intrusive, high quality, eco-friendly products and services. It is built upon a company wide commitment towards water conservation; reduction of energy usage; elimination of harmful toxins and pollutants; recycling of all reusable waste; building and furnishing hotels with sustainable materials; and purchasing goods and services that directly support these principles. “We have seen significant hard dollar cost savings for reduced waste hauling costs, in excess of 35% in many instances. In recycling friendly cities such as San Francisco, these savings get even higher as items such as mixed paper, cardboard, plastics, cans, and bottles are removed for free when recycled,” says Steve Pinetti, senior vice president of sales and marketing and head of Kimpton’s Eco Council. A national three-phase environmental rollout plan, to take place at all 39 hotels, is overseen and managed by the Kimpton Eco Committee. “We recognize the heightened need to invest in our future for the good of the earth and the people living in it,” says Michael Pace, Kimpton’s Director of Environmental Programs. “As globalization becomes more of a topical issue moving forward, it is going to take the concerted efforts from all industries to make an impact. We hope to spread that message and encourage green-thinking through our hotels nationwide.” The Goals Kimpton EarthCare will aim to achieve an implicit set of goals by the end of 2005 that will measure the performance value of the program as it develops in collaboration with the growth of Kimpton including:
EarthCare Partnerships Kimpton has strategically aligned itself with the following key organizations and partners that share similar goals and objectives: Trust for Public Land
Today & Beyond Kimpton EarthCare’s commitment to the environment extends beyond what guests experience on the surface but is rather a decisive action towards social responsibility on all levels. Eco-practices are carried out in even the smallest details including coat hangers recycled to dry cleaner partners, furniture delivered in blankets rather than bubble wrap packaging and paperless check-in at many Kimpton Hotels. “Kimpton EarthCare reinforces the sense of care as a philosophy that is engrained in the way we do business,” says Niki Leondakis, Kimpton’s chief operating officer. “It is our belief that Kimpton has the capacity to affect change on a larger scale, combined with what our 6,000 employees can do in their daily lives, at work or at home, that will impact overall awareness in our industries and communities.” Today, guests staying at any of the 39 Kimpton Hotels can conserve, preserve and show their appreciation for our planet, all in a night’s sleep. Kimpton Hotels also encourages its employees to get on-board with living environmentally conscious lives. “In addition to the hard dollar costs, employees have also responded with a greater sense of purpose in what we are doing,” says Pinetti. “Our staff continues to provide recommendations and innovative ideas to recycle, many mirror activities these employees already do at home. From a business perspective, all of this is taking place in supporting the environment without negatively impacting our business operations.” As the results of the 2005 three-phase plans are assessed, Kimpton’s Eco Council will continue to establish more innovative plans to support the growth of Kimpton EarthCare. |
Contact: Andrew Freeman Telephone: 415.955.5447 Email: [email protected] or Allison Goldstein Telephone: 415.955.5407 Email: [email protected] Website: www.kimptonhotels.com |