Hyatt announces global efforts to reduce single-use plastic

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced that Hyatt hotels around the world plan to dispose of single-use plastic such as plastic straws and beverage mixers. After September 1, 2018, straws and mixers will be available only to those who request them and ecological alternatives will be provided when available.

"At Hyatt, we take care of people to be their best, and this extends to our communities and the preservation of resources for future generations. The elimination of plastic straws and beverage mixers is based on the environmental sustainability programs we have in place, and also drives our global efforts to reduce environmental impact, "said Frank Lavey, Senior Vice President, Global Operations, Hyatt. "This is a significant step, and our commitment does not stop with the straws and mixers. We will continue to explore viable alternatives where possible. "

This move to leave behind single-use plastics builds on efforts already under way in Hyatt's global portfolio, including minimizing and diverting food waste, responsible distribution chain, and reducing water and energy consumption. Since the Environmental Sustainability Vision was presented in 2014, Hyatt has made great strides towards its objectives, integrating the sustainability guidelines in the purchasing criteria as well as involving suppliers in sustainable practices. Among the advances detailed in the latest Hyatt Corporate Responsibility Indicators:

Nearly 100% of Hyatt Avendra's suppliers and distributors now have sustainability policies.
Hyatt surpassed its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions per square meter by 25% in all regions compared to 2016.
Fitness centers at Hyatt hotels throughout North America now offer hearing aids that are recyclable rather than single-use. In 2017, more than 80 participating Hyatt hotels contributed nearly 65,000 pairs of recycled headphones.

In addition, 2018 marks 10 years of Hyatt's collaboration with Clean the World, a non-profit organization that collects used soap and shampoo products from hotels, recycles and donates them to communities in need. In the past 9 years, Hyatt hotels have donated 475,000 pounds of bar soaps and toiletries. During the hurricanes of 2017, Clean the World donated 175,000 hygiene kits and 250,000 bars of soap.