Downtown San Diego Hotel Named 2013 Recycler of the Year by City of San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - May 6, 2013) - Small changes can make a big difference, and when the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina formed an Environmental Management Committee six years ago, no one could have estimated the impact their actions would have on the environment. Today, this downtown San Diego hotel is proud to be a Recycler of the Year 2013, awarded to them by the City of San Diego's Environmental Services Department.

Formed by a group of managers and associates, the committee volunteers their time and meets weekly to discuss current progress and ideas on recycling, energy and water conservation, sustainable foods, pollution prevention, non-toxic products and education as they relate to the running of the property.

Perhaps the most successful initiative from the committee at this San Diego hotel near Coronado Island is the food composting program. Launched on January 15, 2013, the program has employees separate out food, recyclables and trash from all food and beverage outlets, kitchens and the employee cafeteria. The results, after only three months, are astounding -- the hotel has already diverted 122.17 tons from the landfill (versus 33.85 tons during the same period last year); approximately 47.90 tons are food waste alone. 

While this is an impressive start, the Pacific Beach, San Diego hotel has even bigger goals according to general manager Tuni Kyi. "By the end of 2013, our goal is to divert 75% of all our waste generated that would be disposed into the landfill to food composting and recycling." 

Of course it's not just the restaurants at this San Diego Bay hotel that are taking part in the change. "Our sustainable practices truly reach every department," Kyi says. "We do paperless contract turnovers, use five-gallon water coolers instead of plastic bottles in meeting rooms and convert old sheets to rags to use in stewarding and housekeeping." The property also reuses paper in offices, recycles batteries and light bulbs and participates in special volunteer events such as Clean Up the Embarcadero boardwalk.

About the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina
Grand doesn't have to mean impersonal. At the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, each of the guests staying in its 1,360 rooms gets the personal attention they need, whether vacationing as a family or here to meet with potential clients. Set along the San Diego Bay and just 10 minutes from San Diego International Airport, this resort is the perfect place for a vacation. Recreational amenities include two free-form heated outdoor pools, a fitness center with yoga classes, a bike trail, a whirlpool and a 446-slip marina with kayaking, sailing, jet-skiing and more; championship golf is also nearby. If visiting on business, this hotel is just steps from the San Diego Convention Center and offers its own 75,000 square feet of event space for meetings, retreats, conferences, celebrations and more. Guest rooms are comfortable, beautiful and spacious, offering breathtaking views of the city, bay and Coronado Island. Stay productive with a desk, high-speed wireless Internet access, in-room dining and coffee/tea service, or relax on a luxurious featherbed watching shows and movies on the 32-inch flat-screen cable TV. For an upgraded stay, opt for a concierge-level room, which includes access to the private lounge. The San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina also features a delicious collection of dining venues including modern American comfort food at Marina Kitchen, to-go items at Exchange, Euro-Asian fusion cuisine at the waterfront Roy's and cocktails at the poolside Tequila Bar & Grille. While everything one needs can be found here, it's fun to explore, too. The trendy Gaslamp Quarter is just steps away, and nearby are top attractions including Balboa Park, LEGOLAND California, San Diego Zoo, Cabrillo Monument National Park and Sea World San Diego.