Here at Hyatt, we enthusiastically embrace our responsibility to protect and renew the places that we call home.

We want to be a good citizen in our communities, which means minimizing our environmental impact. We've set goals for reducing energy and water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing waste at our properties around the world.

One way we've made progress toward these goals is by integrating sustainable practices into the design and construction of our properties. We are proud to have earned LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council at two of our hotels: Hyatt at Olive 8 and Hyatt Place Grand Rapids-South. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized green building certification system verifying that your building or community is designed with strategies that improve performance in important areas, including:

• Energy savings
• Water efficiency
• CO2 emissions reduction
• Improved indoor environmental quality
• Stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts

In early 2009, Hyatt at Olive 8 earned LEED Silver certification, a first for any condominium/hotel in the area. The eco-chic hotel sports many sustainable features like low-flow plumbing fixtures, dual-flush toilets, a low-chemical mechanical water system, a super-efficient irrigation system and even a green roof garden (see photo below) —which are all expected to help Hyatt at Olive 8 have energy savings of 23 percent more than a building of similar size and occupancy and a water savings of about 36 percent, or 2.4 million gallons each year.

Then in October 2009, Hyatt Place Grand Rapids-South earned LEED certification as well—the first for the brand and for the area. The hotel achieved its ranking for energy use, lighting, water and material use. Grand Rapids-South implemented other sustainable elements, like occupancy sensors in all guestrooms to automatically adjust heating, cooling and lighting, low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets, preferred parking for fuel efficient and carpool vehicles and using locally sourced bricks and other materials to build the property.

Both Hyatt at Olive 8 and Hyatt Place Grand Rapids-South are testaments to our progress and commitment to environmental responsibility. If you're interested in Hyatt's environmental initiatives and accomplishments, make sure to check out our other hotels and resorts that are receiving distinction in their communities for their eco-friendly initiatives.