The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa
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Recycle The Old & In With The GREENMar 31, 2009HOLLYWOOD, FL (June 16, 2008) " When you think of the beachfront Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, 3555 S. Ocean Dr., Hollywood, FL, shades of green palms trees, green Bermuda grass covering the championship golf course, the blue-green waves of the Atlantic Ocean or even thoughts of your favorite green swimsuit might come to mind. However, you can now start thinking green as in the environment. The Westin Diplomat Resort has just begun an eight month refurbishment of much of its public spaces, back-of-the-house areas and all 998 guestrooms. While planning the current refurbishment, green has been a constant point of reference, starting with material removal through replacement, explains Sharon Zamojski, architect/capital projects manager for The Westin Diplomat. It has taken nearly 24 months of research, designing and scheduling to orchestrate the overall process. Most of the removed furniture will be sent to a wholesale furniture liquidator where it will receive a second life. Over 1,150 mattress sets of varying sizes and 700 sleeper sofas are being donated to Operation Green Leaves, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving Haitis standard of living. However, all other materials are being recycled: 30,000-sq. yards of carpet " cut into 4-ft strips and sent to a carpet mill for post consumer use Over 200,000 lbs of glass from guestroom shower and bathroom doors 734 pieces of aluminum balcony furniture Guestrooms are being refurbished by floor, with a guestroom floor above and below as buffers. Completed rooms will feature: 100% recyclable carpeting, Herman Miller Aeron desk chair made of 62% recycled material, LED lighting and upgraded aluminum balcony furniture. These items, along with towels and bed linens, will all be recycled at the end of their useful life. Already extremely successful with an energy saving best practices in place, The Westin Diplomat has drop its monthly electric bill by 7.8%, an estimated $175,000 in monthly savings just by turning off lights, copiers and computers, raising the air-conditioners in unoccupied rooms and in public spaces, as well as implementing several environmental sustainability practices. It is our responsibility and our commitment to be as environmentally responsible as possible, states Mark Kukulski, general manager. Additionally, The Westin is partnering with Waste Management in implementing a pilot, single stream recycling program. This program will entail a complete back-of-house waste collection of all cardboard, glass, aluminum and plastic, essentially most recyclable waste materials will be placed into special containers provided by Waste Management. For a visual of the 4 to 5 foot piles materials awaiting recycle pick up and a tour of the new guestrooms and back of the house initiatives, please contact Michelle Shulman, director of public relations at 954-602-8603 |
