Marriott's time-share division launches corporate Green Initiative

Harry Wessel | Orlando Sentinel Staff Writer

February 26, 2008

Roughly 1,500 employees in the Westwood Corporate Center, including 900 who work for Marriott Vacation Club International, officially went "green" Monday, February 25.

Marriott's time-share division -- the dominant tenant in the five-building office complex across the street from SeaWorld Orlando -- launched a corporate Green Initiative that includes a recycling program for paper, plastic and aluminum products used in the business center.

All Marriott employees in the Orlando office are receiving thermal travel mugs to replace Styrofoam cups, and plastic utensils in the break rooms will be replaced by biodegradable equivalents known as "SpudWare" and made from potatoes.

SpudWare utensils can be washed and reused, said a Marriott spokesman, who added: "They really smell like potatoes."

Marriott Vacation Club International, which has 12,000 employees worldwide, plans to spread its Green Initiative to its other corporate locations during the next year.

"By making strategic yet relatively small changes to our workspace habits and practices, our collective efforts can make a huge impact on preserving our environment," said Lani Kane-Hanan, a Marriott senior vice president.

Harry Wessel can be reached at 407-420-5506 or hwessel@orlandosentinel.com.