Hilton Garden Inn has announced
the introduction of the ecotainer, an environmentally friendly coffee cup,
in more than 340 locations across North America.Developed by
International Paper, the cup is the only all-natural hot beverage paper cup
available that is coated with a corn-based plastic that requires less
energy and generates less greenhouse gas during manufacturing. The
corn-based coating also allows the cups to be composted, rather than
landfilled.

Hilton Garden Inn locations have already begun receiving the new ecotainer
cups.

 

“Looking ahead to new ways to be more environmentally sensitive while
providing guests with the consistent products, innovative amenities and
friendly service that Hilton Garden Inn is known for, we are proud to be
the first hotel chain in North America to offer the ecotainer in all our
hotels,” said Jim Cone, vice president - marketing for Hilton Garden Inn.

 

American consumers use more than 16 billion disposable hot beverage paper
cups each year.  Unlike conventional cups, the ecotainer is lined with a
coating made from corn, making the cups fully renewable and compostable,
and helping to reduce some of the 25 million pounds of petroleum-based
plastics needed each year to make conventional plastic-lined paper cups.

 

“Hilton Garden Inn’s adoption of ecotainer demonstrates their commitment to
environmental leadership and supports millions of travelers across North
America who want to make more sustainable environmental choices,” said
Austin Lance, VP/GM Foodservice Business of International Paper. 

 

The introduction of the ecotainer to the more than 340 Hilton Garden Inn
hotels which are now open will replace over 6.5 million non-renewable
styro-based cups used each year.

 

As a continued part of the Hilton Garden Inn goal to be a more supportive
environmentally friendly hotel brand, an ecological assessment related to
the brand’s bath amenity program found that:

 

- renewable and 100 percent biodegradable packaging is used for soaps and
shower caps

 

- soy-based ink which is 100 percent biodegradable is used to print on
cartons

 

- liquid formulas are 98.5 percent naturally derived ingredients

 

- soap formulas are 99 percent naturally derived ingredients

 

According to Cone, “As Hilton Garden Inn continues to offer our guests what
they want and need most to make their hotel stays memorable and productive,
we also are striving to find alternative solutions to conduct business
while being environmentally friendly.”
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