Willard Intercontinental Introduces Sustainability Program

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. October 14, 2008

FEBRUARY 7, 2007. Under the leadership of General Manager, Herv'e Houdr'e, the Willard InterContinental has embarked on a sustainability program for the American landmark hotel entitled, "Willard InterContinental - The Next 100 Years." Based on the triple bottom line of Economic Viability, Social Responsibility and Environmental Protection, the holistic plan is comprised of interwoven sustainable projects designed for a luxurious urban hospitality experience in harmony with social and ecological consciousness. The program has been designed to lay the foundation for future generations of Willard employees, guests and stakeholders. "We envision our invaluable American landmark hotel to be a standard bearer in the industry for its commitment to local, national and international communities," said Houdr'e.

Houdr'e, who has written a white paper entitled, Sustainable Hospitality(c) Sustainable Development in the Hotel Industry, and his team, have put into place a five-year roadmap that defines and quantifies the near-term SD goals for the hotel. The roadmap is divided into four subjects, Governance, Economic Viability, Social Responsibility and Environment. Each subject has associated projects and target years indicating the level of project completion expected in said time. The roadmap is flexible and designed as a working tool, rather than a theoretical matrix, forecasting the savings and impact of our sustainability actions.

Together with a Sustainability Team and a Director of Facilities who acts as the Willard's SD champion, the Willard has embarked on several initial projects encompassing the three "P's" - People, Profit, and Planet. These include:

o Willard Project Blue - This project has three main components: 1) Conserving water and reducing detergent use for towels and sheets. 2) Applying savings to help revive the local Anacostia River through the Earth Conservation Corps Clean-up Project, which targets water pollution and provides youth employment. 3) Providing opportunities for guests to contribute to our conservation fund. Future savings will also focus on building wells in water-challenged areas both nationally and internationally.

o Recycling - We compost food and waste material and recycle trash.

o Energy - Ten percent of the hotel's electricity is garnered from renewable wind electricity, with the final goal being 100%. All bulbs throughout the hotel have been changed to low-impact fluorescents, which though very high tech, look like traditional light bulbs and emanate pleasing light. The bulbs save the hotel money and reduce energy consumption by 9.3% per year.

o Food Smart - We purchase supplies that are organic, grown locally and raised in a humane ethical manner without pesticides or growth hormones whenever available and wherever possible.

o Environment - The Willard has adopted Pershing Park located across the street from the hotel. Teams of employees help clean the park - weed the garden and are working together with the National Parks Service and the Downtown Business Improvement District to enhance this once neglected green space so central to one of the most visited areas of the nation's capital.

o Giving Back - Children's Hospital is recipient of donations of Turkeys (for Thanksgiving) and holiday toy drives. Donations received from the hotel's free December choral music program. Other efforts include: Blood Drives, "Thank You" meals for wounded troops, Marathon runs for fundraising, food drives for DC Kitchen, supply donations to local shelters and a volunteer reading program for children in need.

o Employee Wellness - A variety of programs have been made available including, smoking cessation, weight loss and bike to work.

Some of Houdr'e's inspiration came from the nation's 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, who occupied the White House in the early 1900s when the construction of the New Willard Hotel took place. Roosevelt was a devoted supporter of social causes and one of the nation's first conservationist leaders. In burgeoning 20th century America, the term "Sustainability" had certainly not yet come into vogue, but President Roosevelt's many actions to preserve America's natural beauty and environment and his pioneering work on behalf of children and the disadvantaged embodied the ideals of current day sustainability initiatives.