First BWI hotel makes LEED grade
The TownePlace Suites by Marriott at the BWI/Marshall Airport will receive LEED existing building certification, making it the first property at the airport to have that distinction.
The 3-year-old hotel is undergoing a makeover to win the certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, says Bethesda-based Marriott International Inc. Changes include composting all breakfast waste, using sustainable and environmentally friendly cleaning products, installing low-flow plumbing hardware and buying renewable energy wind credits.
“Because we host so many business and leisure travelers every day, we have the opportunity to set a great example and teach people the easy steps they can take to make their own homes more environmentally friendly,” said hotel manager Michelle Emley in a statement.
In November, Marriott announced a prototype of its Courtyard by Marriott brand that will be pre-certified LEED compliant. The first of those properties opens in Pittsburgh this spring.
Marriott (NYSE: MAR) currently has 50 hotels registered for LEED, with 15 open or set to open by the end of this year.
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