The DeSoto

Some of the “green” initiatives that take place here at The DeSoto come from many areas- some are seen and many are not visible to the public: • Linen Re-use program giving guests the option to reuse their linens; card in room describing program. • Lights and equipment awareness program to ensure that public areas are ‘darkened’ when not in use. • All lights are turned out in vacant guest rooms, guest room sheer curtain and black out curtain are pulled completely closed in order to help maintain temperature. • Office purchasing of recycled paper and participate in recycling of ink cartridges for printers. • Utilization of an all-in-one copier, fax, scanner to save on electricity. • Recycling of paper for interoffice reports, in addition to printing on back and front as an office best practice • Implementation of fluorescent energy efficient lighting. • All lobby restroom toilets and urinals have been retrofitted to automatic, low flush (water flow). • All lobby restroom sinks operate with motion detecting valves and the valve orifices reduce the amount of water sent to the drain. • Variable frequency drives are installed on facility pumps, motors, and other operating systems to reduce electrical demand and deliver only the power required. • Heating/Cooling System allows for air quality, heating ventilation, and cooling system efficiency through sequencing of facility chiller units, carbon dioxide checks, and reporting. • Use of drip irrigation to reduce water usage • Starting to implement process on converting waste cooking oil into fuel for boilers • Super efficient low NOX boilers • Durable Service Items: We use dishes, cups, glasses, mugs, tableware and serving pieces that are long-lasting, not disposable. • Purchase of local seafood whenever possible • Purchase of local organic vegetables when available • Sustainable banquet menu available with free-range chicken, seasonal and signature South Georgia ingredients, Wild Georgia Shrimp • Donate extra food to associate cafeteria • Use of eMenus, eProposals, and digital contracts • Linens and guest room hard/soft goods donated to charity seasonally to cut down on landfill waste • The DeSoto recommends using pitchers of water at meetings, rather than bottled water • Energy/safety steering committee comprised of an employee representative from each are of the hotel meets monthly to discuss and brainstorm on ways we can conserve