Sheraton Goes Green

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina understands the importance of caring for our environment. Lodging is the fourth most intensive user of energy in the United States commercial sector. Improving energy efficiency in the hospitality industry helps reduce energy consumption, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. The Sheraton hotel has responded to the trend with the development of strategies and practices for making our urban resort more environmentally friendly, or "green." Our property is managed with focus on the business practices that help improve our environmental performance and impacts.

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is proud to announce certification at the GOLD level for the Green Seal Environmental Standard for Lodging Properties.

Our hotel is a green building that demonstrates a whole-building approach to sustainability in five key areas: sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy performance and climate protection, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

See our Green Meetings > Gold Level - Green Seal Certification >

The City of San Diego - Commercial Food Waste Recycling

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina was the second hotel in San Diego to start a food waste composting program with the Miramar Greenery. The two high-rise towers hotel with 1,053 guest rooms and suites, has two main kitchens servicing four restaurants and one full bar, and serves between 2,000 to 2,500 meals per day. The hotel also collects post-consumer food waste from within the employee cafeteria and banquet operations. In the first five months of the program, the hotel composted over 100 tons of food scraps from the Marina Tower, and is now expanding it to their second tower adding over 300 guestrooms. With the implementation of the food scraps composting program, and adjustments made on their commodities recycling program, the hotel has achieved 83% waste diversion rate, and is saving approximately 40% on its monthly hauling services (trash, recycling and composting).

Learn More About Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina Food Recycling Program >>

Green Initiatives

SUSTAINABLE EFFORTS

Hybrid guest transportation options including our hybrid Tahoe and our electric-powered GEM cars
Airport shuttle transportation for our guests
Over 35% reduction in conventional commuting transportation by staff
Biodiversity is promoted through management of our marina and exterior landscape
Roofing materials that reflect heat from the sun putting less demand on hotel air conditioning systems
Low VOC paints, primers, and base coats used throughout the building exterior

WATER EFFICIENCY

Water-conserving fixtures with EPA WaterSense label in all guestrooms and public bathrooms, including low-flow toilets, urinals, faucets, showerheads and landscape smart controls to minimize water usage
Make A Green Choice program rewards guests for choosing to conserve natural resources in their guestroom
Guest linen & towel reuse programs.
Whole-building submetering. Including high-use water consumption areas such as on-site laundry and irrigation systems

ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE

Energy Demand Control System - continuously tracks building demand, and curtails HVAC loads whenever the demand exceeds pre set targets
Domestic Hot water controls - automated system that monitors hot water usage and reduces load when not needed
Fuel Cell Power Technology. The entire electrical load of the hotel can be supplied through this "Ultra-Clean" source of electricity. No combustion reaction required; energy is created by combining hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air to produce electricity with the added bonus of heat and water as byproducts.
Pools and hot water supply heated with byproduct heat from our fuel cells
Energy-efficient lighting systems utilizing CFL and LED technology throughout hotel and motion sensors to control the lights in our guestrooms
Optimized heating, ventilating and air conditioning system through commissioning efforts
ENERGY STAR® appliances & electronics where possible
Occupancy sensors in all guestrooms provide an occupant-managed climate system and entry lighting
Energy-efficient HVAC, computerized building management system
Film-covered and energy-efficient windows installed on all guestrooms and common areas to lower heating and cooling loads

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

Close to 100% of food waste is diverted to the City of San Diego Greenery for composting
Comprehensive recycling program throughout building. Over 900,000 lbs of our waste stream diverted annually.
Recycling receptacles located in every guestroom as well as throughout our meeting space and restaurants
Food and beverage choices on our dining menus using seasonal availability of locally grown and organic food
Re-use of delivery boxes and bulk purchasing
Kitchen food waste is dehydrated to less than 20% of original weight to minimize effects on waste stream
Fryer oil is converted to create biodiesel fuel
Styrofoam-free facility
Guestroom keycards made of 43% recycled content
Facial tissue and trashcan liners made of 10% recycled content
Guestroom bathroom amenities and soap recycled through donation to a non-profit

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

100% smoke free policy within building
Eco-friendly cleaning products in guestrooms and stewarding
All laundry cleaning detergents and chemicals are non-toxic, phosphate free and completely biodegradable in addition to being Green Seal Certified
Optimized ventilation system provides enhanced indoor air quality
Low-emitting materials, adhesive & sealants, paints & coatings, and carpet systems (Green Label)
Ample access to daylight and views to the outdoors that promote a sense of well-being
Live plants in public areas to improve air quality
All sustainable cleaning equipment is ergonomically friendly and energy efficient

Certification & Awards

Green Seal Environmental Standard for Lodging Properties - Gold (GS-33, 2008) by Green Seal
Full Time LEED AP O+M on Staff
Registered LEED EB O&M Project
2 palm Leadership Level Award by California Green Lodging Program
Nominated Best Green Hotel 2009 by Meetings West Magazine
Emerging Green Hotel of the Year by PCMA Capital Chapter
Good Earthkeeping Award 2007 by American Hotel & Lodging Association
Green Hotel Of The Year 2008 by Host Hotels & Resorts