Wyndham Worldwide Ranked Among Top Green Companies by Newsweek

By: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | 0 Shares 159 Reads

October 13, 2009 // Franchising.com // PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), one the world's largest hospitality companies, has been ranked among the top 100 greenest companies in America by Newsweek magazine, which also ranked the company in the top 10 of its Media, Travel and Entertainment category.

The Newsweek Green Rankings, the magazine's first such report, is based on the environmental footprint, policies and practices of America's 500 largest publicly traded companies as measured by revenue, market capitalization and number of employees.

Newsweek ranked Wyndham Worldwide number 81 on its list based on a number of criteria including greenhouse gas emissions, toxic waste emissions, use of other natural resources, management of environmental issues and policies, regulatory compliance and policies concerning climate change.

The report, published Sept. 28, also factored the results of Newsweek's reputational survey of chief executive officers, corporate social responsibility officers, the news media, academicians and members of key environmental groups.

"We are honored to be recognized by Newsweek as a national leader in sustainability," said Stephen P. Holmes, Wyndham Worldwide chairman and chief executive officer. "We are committed to conserving our natural resources, preserving our habitats and preventing pollution. With more than 70,000 locations in 100 countries, we can make a tremendous impact in our communities around the globe."

WyndhamGreen by Wyndham Worldwide, the company's sustainability program, aims to manage energy consumption as a part of the company's overall green strategy across its businesses and brands. Due to the Company's numerous brands, properties and distribution points, WyndhamGreen is expected to have a large impact on the Company's overall carbon footprint.

The recently released WyndhamGreen Global Best Practices document showcases the company's initiatives in energy and water conservation, recycling, education, community programs and innovation. It notes that Wyndham Worldwide's new 250,000-square-foot headquarters, located in Parsippany, New Jersey, is on target to achieve Silver LEED certification for its interior. The building is expected to reduce water, energy and waste by 10 to 30 percent. The Company also recently received the "Green Pioneer" award from ConEdison Solutions for purchasing 100 percent of the building's electricity from wind generation.

Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company with more than 7,000 hotels and 11 brands, is implementing the EarthSmart linen reuse program to save resources and operational costs. The company's Super 8®, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge®, Days Inn® and Ramada® brands currently participate.

The Wyndham® Hotels and Resorts brand developed uniforms spun from recycled plastic bottles. Each uniform requires 66 percent less energy and 90 percent less water to produce than a standard uniform. The upscale hotel chain's Wyndham ClearAirsm initiative features allergy-friendly rooms designed at improving air quality.

Group RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals, saved 1.3 million kilowatts annually at its Parsippany headquarters and Indianapolis call center by replacing lighting fixtures and bulbs and installing motion sensors to control lighting and heating, ventilation and air conditioning units. Last year, RCI was the first in the vacation exchange industry to begin printing all of its resort directories and Endless Vacation magazines for members on FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) paper. RCI also converted vacation confirmations and notifications to members from direct mail to e-mail, saving more than 5 million pieces of paper and an estimated 435 trees.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the world's largest vacation ownership business, provides low- and no-phosphate laundry and dish detergent in its resorts, an initiative that has reduced pollutants by 90,000 pounds since its inception in 2008.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership's Asia Pacific division developed a sustainable destination resort on the Australian island Tasmania that practices conservation of biodiversity and restoration of the natural habitat. The resort utilizes a state-of-the art wastewater treatment plant, and its villas were designed to resemble sea shells to fit into the environment.

"We have made tremendous progress in a short period of time," said Faith Taylor, Wyndham Worldwide vice president of sustainability and innovation. "Although we still have much to accomplish as we evolve our strategy, we our proud of our associates and partnerships that have helped us make this world a better place."

About Wyndham Worldwide

As one of the world's largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide offers individual consumers and business–to–business customers a broad suite of hospitality products and services across various accommodation alternatives and price ranges through its premier portfolio of world–renowned brands.

Wyndham Hotel Group encompasses over 7,000 franchised hotels and approximately 590,200 hotel rooms worldwide. Group RCI offers its 3.8 million members access to more than 73,000 vacation properties located in approximately 100 countries. Wyndham Vacation Ownership develops, markets and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its network of over 150 vacation ownership resorts serving over 830,000 owners throughout North America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Wyndham Worldwide, headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., employs approximately 25,500 employees globally.

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