Eco-Friendly “Element” Hotels Awarded Streamlined LEED Volume Certification from USGBC

startwoods hotels attain leed building certification

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide [NYSE: HOT] has committed to seeking U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification for its entire chain of new hotels called Element. Today Starwood announced that the eco-friendly boutique hotel chain, Element, is one of the first businesses ever to have the option of pursuing LEED Certification for several properties at once through the USGBC’s streamlined process called Volume Certification. Now that Element is approved under the new Volume Certification Program, the cost and timeline of getting each new hotel LEED Certified will be much quicker and more affordable.

Element proves that what makes sense for the environment can also make sense for business.  According to Paul Sacco, Senior Vice President of Development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, “Building from a prototype that’s already LEED pre-approved means that Starwood helps our partners substantially reduce consulting fees, spend less on applications and certifications, and minimize documentation requirements wherever possible.”

Typically individual hotel projects must be individually certified for LEED, but this is not so once the developer has been approved for Volume Certification.  Starwood has been working with the U.S. Green Building Council to develop a prototype that meets the stringent LEED standards, so that all of the newly built hotels developed can be certified more quickly and more economically than a one-off project. Starwood’s first Element Hotel was built and approved for LEED Certification in 2008.

Water-saving toilets, showers, faucets and energy-efficient heating, appliances and air conditioning can help to shave $50,000-$75,000 yearly off operating costs. Green building features at Starwood’s Element hotels range from sustainable building materials to low-flow water fixtures, to high-efficiency climate-control systems.  Natural light is maximized throughout the hotels and environmentally-friendly products are used as much as possible in daily operations. To minimize waste, gourmet kitchens are supplied with silverware and glasses instead of plastic utensils and paper cups. Plus filtered drinking water is offered to guests rather than plastic water bottles that are known to accumulate in land fills. Recycling receptacles are available in guest rooms and hotel grounds. Even the “Do Not Disturb” signs have been replaced with eco-friendly magnets.

For example, Element Ewing was built and opened in 2010 in New Jersey. According to Starwood’s website, Element Ewing delivers an eco-chic experience with inviting and inspiring public spaces, modern amenities and smart design. As an example of the hotel’s commitment to sustainable operations, Element Ewing will offer a curbside charging station for electric vehicles for both guests and local residents.