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News for the Hospitality Executive |
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 HOUSTON, TX
(June 2009) – Hilton
Americas-Houston, the city’s largest hotel, has received the unique
distinction
of becoming the first hotel in the state of Texas to achieve Green Seal
certification. Demonstrating environmental leadership in operations and
purchasing, the downtown Houston convention hotel reduced their
environmental
impact and improved sustainability in accordance with stringent
guidelines set
out by Green Seal in order to obtain the coveted certification. This
certification confirms that Hilton Americas-Houston complies with the
environmental and performance requirements of the Green Seal
Environmental
Standard for Lodging Properties – Silver level.Joining only four other Hilton Family hotels in the United States that have thus far achieved Green Seal status, Hilton Americas-Houston underwent an extensive “greening” of the property as all team members joined in to reduce the hotel’s overall carbon footprint. To qualify for Green Seal certification, a hotel must demonstrate sustainable practices in the following areas: waste minimization, reuse & recycling; energy efficiency, conservation & management; management of fresh water resources; waste water management; hazardous substances; and environmentally sensitive purchasing. Certification requires an initial evaluation by Green Seal, including an on-site audit of the property, and annual monitoring to ensure ongoing compliance. Just some of the many initiatives in effect at the Hilton Americas-Houston to reduce the hotel’s environmental impact as a Green Seal certified property include:
Since the inception of Hilton Americas-Houston’s food composting project, approximately 152 cubic yards, about 154 tons, have been shipped to be composted at Nature’s Way, a Houston area company. In the past four months, 56 tons of cardboard and over 96,000 gallons each of paper, mixed plastic and metal cans have been recycled. In the past 12 months, 14,000 pounds of kitchen oil has been recycled, for a total of seven tons. About Green Seal Green Seal, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the environment and transforming the marketplace, promotes the manufacture, purchase and use of environmentally responsible products and services. In partnership since 1995 with the lodging industry, the nation’s second largest employer, the organization provides assistance and expertise to properties working toward certification. About Hilton Americas - Houston Directly connected to the George R. Brown Convention Center, the Hilton Americas-Houston contains the city’s largest number of guestrooms, ballrooms, hotel meeting space, and the most technologically advanced services available under one roof. Conveniently situated between Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park, this AAA Four Diamond rated hotel boasts 1,203 luxuriously appointed guestrooms, 91,500 square feet of flexible meeting space, two restaurants, a lobby bar, coffee emporium, and full service spa and health club. |
| Contact: Hilton Americas - Houston 1600 Lamar Houston, TX, 77010 Phone: (713) 577-6151 Fax: (713) 577-6140 Email: [email protected] http://www.americashouston.hilton.com
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