Specific initiatives include replacing the 24 million plastic key cards purchased annually in the U.S. with those made of 50 percent recycled material, thereby saving 66 tons of plastic from being dumped; replacing the 100,000 synthetic pillows purchased annually with those filled with polyester micro fiber made from 100 percent recycled PET bottles; buying 47 million BIC Ecolutions pens made from pre-consumer recycled plastic; more than 1 million gallons of low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint; and 1 million “room-ready” towels (which save 6 million gallons of water annually by eliminating the initial wash cycle). 

The company regularly collects energy and emissions data and publishes environmental reports. Its Social Responsibility Report for 2007 said it was on track to reduce energy and water consumption by 25% in the next ten years and that water usage had been reduced by more than 15% over the last five years. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognised Marriott with its 2008 Sustained Excellence award.

It partners with influential organisations such as Conservation International and the International Tourism Partnership and subjects its performance to independent scrutiny. For example all 20 Marriott hotels in London received Green Globe accreditation in 2006. The Marriott Regents Park is, according to its in-house Green Champion, its London green flagship because it has the largest recycling facilities.  She told ecofriendlytourist.com that recycling has doubled and other achievements include energy saving, and active community involvement to support local charities. “There is always room for improvement,” she said, “and that is what we are constantly looking at.”

ecofriendlytourist.com visited the Marriott London Regents Park in March 2007