The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa

A proud advocate and leader in a variety of environmental sustainability practices

Property Certifications:            Designated Property by the Florida Green Lodging Program

                                          USGBC LEED EBOM Registered property

Guest Room Initiatives:

·   Towel & Linen Card - Place this card on your bed in the morning for a fresh set of linens.  Please leave towels to be washed on the floor or hang towels you wish to reuse on the rack. Your choices make a difference. Together we can preserve water, our most precious resource, and reduce chlorine and detergent use.

·   “Single Stream” In-Room recycling - paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum all in one recycling container

·   Clean the World - A partner company that recycles bar soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion and bath gel.  This initiative saves lives by donating bar soap to third world countries and domestic homeless shelters 

·   HVAC System - Sensors automatically turn off the air-conditioner when the sliding glass doors to the balconies are opened and will restart after the doors are closed

·   MERV 8 Filters -  High performance guestroom filters in HVAC system provides better Indoor air quality

·   Window Systems - Energy efficient & hurricane impact

·   Water Conserving -  Commodes, shower heads, faucet aerators at 1.5gpm resulting in an annual water    savings of approximately 458,980 gallons

·   Recycle - All linens, towels and soft goods are recycled at the end of their useful life

·   Facial and Toilet Tissue - 20% post-consumer recycled fiber

·   Soft Goods Guestroom Refurbishment: 

·   Herman Miller Aeron Desk Chair: ergonomic design; 62% recycled material; 94% recyclable at end of life

·   Herman Miller Leaf Desk Lamp is made of 37% recycled material & utilizes LED (light emitting diode) technology. The Leaf personal light is 95% recyclable at the end of its useful life

·   1200 old mattress sets and sofa sleepers donated and shipped to Haiti

·   Carpeting is 100% recyclable at the end of its useful life

·   All new balcony furniture is 100% recyclable at the end of its useful life

Public & Common Area Initiatives:

·   Infinity “Mineral” Pool - saline generator for the upper swimming pool to reduce the use of chlorine and the water feels softer and better on the skin

·   MERV 13 filters - High performance in larger HVAC systems for better Indoor air quality 

·   Lighting - Energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (squiggly light bulb) and T8 & T5 fluorescent lamps

·   Dimming Controls - Automatic day lighting dimming controls for public spaces

·   Programmable Timers & Sensors - Control air-conditioning in low-traffic and low occupancy areas

·   Elevators and Escalators - Turned off during non-use periods

·   Urinals & Commodes -  Water-conserving urinals and commodes with auto-flush mechanisms

·   Water Filtration Systems - Used for the pools, chilled water, hot water, cooling tower and fountains

·   “Single Stream” -  Recycling of paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum in public spaces and meeting rooms

·   Sustainable Green - Meetings packages

·   Live Plants - In all front-of-house public spaces, which reduces the carbon footprint

·   Sidewalk Sweeping - Instead of spraying with water

·   Participate in Energard - An energy benchmarking program; May ‘09 Diplomat named 1 of 10 most improved    properties

·   OlyBond 500 Green Insulation Adhesive - A renewable plant-based formula adhesive with extremely low VOC properties used on the new Convention Center roof.

·   Splash Bar & Grill - Changed cutlery and napkins from disposable to reusable.  Also eliminated single serving condiments

·   Rivals Waterfront Sports Bar & Grille - Features mostly draft beers resulting in an annual glass savings of approx. 200,000 lbs.

·   To-Go Cups & Utensils - Changed to eco-friendly compostable products made from corn resin

Back-of-House Initiatives:

·   “Single Stream” - recycling of paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum

·   Electronically Monitor - Single Stream recycling dumpster to ensure optimal weight for pick-up

·   Recycle - Light bulbs, ballasts, batteries, IT equipment, old kitchen equipment

·   Donation - Old equipment to liquidators, recyclers and charities

·   Cooking Oil - Recycled for bio-diesel fuel

·   Outreach - Programs with approximately 700 vendors, suppliers and charities

·   Banquet Table Clothes - Recycled at the end of their useful life

·   Banquet Event Order forms (BEO’s) - E-mailed instead of faxing and photocopying

·   “Green Binder” - lists all our Green initiatives to communicate with guests and staff

·   Executive offices - All Energy Star electronics are set to power saving mode; paper and toner cartridge recycling; use of scanners vs. faxes

·   E-mail Signatures - Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

·   Monthly Green Team - Briefs departments at monthly and pre-shift meetings on initiatives. Sub-teams for each    dining outlet to develop specific goals and initiatives

Initiatives GUESTS can choose:

·   “Make a Green Choice” Program - Opt out of housekeeping in exchange for discount cards at outlets or SPG points.

·   Eco-Friendly Local Attractions - Options provided to guests 

·   Carafes of Water - Meeting organizers are given the “Green” option to have at each table instead of bottled water

·   Paperless - Check-in/check-out

Programs under Development/Goals:

·   Clean Marina Certification - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (pending final inspection)

·   Food &Beverage - E-menus on guestroom TV’s and Starbucks Serena Organic Blend coffee served as a    standard

·   Preferred Parking - Hybrid vehicle/alternative fuel preferred parking for staff

·   Key Cards - Guestroom recycled plastic key cards

Water Filtration Systems - Eliminate bottled water

The Diplomat's Green initiatives are continuously evolving. Please ask your Convention Service Manager for the latest efforts we are exploring to enhance our planet saving contributions.