Courtyard by Marriott Sustainability Plan
Jackson, TN

Courtyard by Marriott in Jackson TN is proud to join Marriott and Vista Host’s efforts to be on the forefront in creating an environmentally conscious hospitality industry.  Through our sustainability plan, we commit to doing our part in making the world a good place to live, now and for future generations.  Our ideas and efforts have created a positive rapport for Courtyard in our local community and have brought our associates closer together through fun teamwork and brainstorming activities

Below are action items we have implemented at Courtyard by Marriott:

Recycling

Many of our daily office documents we print do not require blank sheets of paper.  We use the other side of previously printed documents in our fax machine and printers.  After the paper has been discarded, we take it to a local recycling center.  We also have disposal containers in our back office and kitchen to recycle plastic, aluminum, and cardboard.

Desk Associate Email

We have created email addresses for our night auditors and desk associates.  This allows our desk associates to save and send daily documents through email rather than our office mail boxes.  This effort reduces paper and toner cartridges that are used.

Starbucks in Coffee Mugs

Our guests that choose to dine in enjoy their Starbucks coffee and espresso drinks in a 16oz coffee mug, therefore, reducing unnecessary waste.  

Donate Newspapers to the Humane Society

When guests check in we ask if they would like to receive a morning paper to reduce the amounts of newspapers we use, and we donate our excess USA Today newspapers to the Humane Society.

Plates Not Baskets

The original food presentation design was to serve food in a basket on wax paper.  We have changed our food presentation to regular plates reducing unnecessary waste.

Email Sales Pack

We have created an email sales pack to send to our guests.  This includes credit card authorization form, meeting room contract and meeting room food and beverage options. Our email sales pack reduces the use of our fax machine saving paper and toner. 

Linens Policy

It is our policy to change linens and replace bath towels upon check out or every three days, whichever comes first.  However, if a guest requests for linen or towel service at an earlier time during their stay, we will accommodate the request.

Greening Our Supply Chain

Meeting Room Pads: Our current guest room and meeting room note pads are green friendly.

Meeting Room Pen: Our meeting room and guest room pens are made from recycled plastics.

Water Station: We currently are providing Acrylic Pitchers and glasses in the meeting room for water stations.

Electronic Hotel Fact Sheet: We promote our hotel amenities to our guests with a fact sheet that can be viewed on our website.

Electronic meeting room food and beverage options: Our meeting room food and beverage options are presented to our guests in a paper-less email menu included in the excel sales pack. This has proved to be a much more convenient way to communicate food and beverage options with our guest.

Starbucks: Starbucks cups, hot sleeves, plastic lids, wooden stir sticks, and syrup bottles are all produced with recycled material.

Green Lodging Equipment

We have implemented a stronger linen reuse program in housekeeping.

Formula One linen detergent: Formula one is an eco-friendly detergent and reduces the use of water.

Milnor E-P Express washing machines: Our washing machines are energy and water efficient

American Dryer Corp: Our linen dryers are energy efficient.

Guest Room Shower Heads: Our guest room shower heads are a “Low Flow” design with a 2.2 psi.

Guest Room Toilets: Our guest room toilets are a “Low Flow” design with a 2.2 PSI.

Light Bulbs: Our hotel light bulbs are energy efficient, compact fluorescent light bulb.

Conclusion

Courtyard by Marriott in Jackson, TN is proud to join in the Vista Host efforts to be on the forefront in creating a “Go Green” environment. It is necessary to search and create “Go Green” business procedure adjustments on a regular basis. These changes in our business practices prove to not only be environment friendly and community friendly, but also prove to be cost friendly. Associate training with eco-friendly procedures has imbeded a Go Green awareness that can pave a path for a greener future. It is our duty and privilege to pioneer better processes to ensure the future of our planet.