Three California hotels have earned LEED certification. The InterContinental San Francisco has earned gold-level status in the Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (EBOM) category. The hotel’s sustainable practices include:
- Floor to ceiling windows throughout the entire property that offer an abundance of natural light
- Public transportation, used by more than 95 percent of the hotel’s staff, reduces the CO2 emitted by commuting.
- Energy Star appliances
- Bringing in a third party to evaluate and upgrade its current energy systems, making them more efficient
- Motion sensors in guestrooms, meeting spaces, and other areas to reduce power and conserve energy.
- Implementation of a comprehensive recycling and composting program, diverting 80 percent of the hotel’s generated waste away from landfills and utilizing solar powered compactors.
- Guestroom eco-features such as linen and towel reuse program; reusable laundry, shoe, and newspaper bags; recycling bins; and sustainable bathroom amenities
- Green cleaning methods
Meanwhile, the new JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE and the Ritz-Carlton have achieved LEED Silver by implementing initiatives that reduce water and energy use, as well as waste.