Joie de Vivre Green Dreams

Joie de Vivre's environmental program - "Joie de Vivre Green Dreams" -- is focused on preserving the environment by incorporating sustainability into the company's core business operations.  As California's largest boutique hotel collection, the company is working toward green certification for all of its 29 properties. Ten hotels are expected to be green certified by the end of 2009 by their city or county authorities. 

The mission of the Joie de Vivre Green Dreams program is to adhere to the strictest environmental standards, engage in sustainable practices, and maintain an impeccable quality of guest experience.  It is centered on four main policy and practice areas: reduce, reuse and recycle; purchase environmentally friendly products; conserve energy, water and natural resources; and generate clean energy through on-site solar production.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

• Increase waste diversion by recycling all paper, bottles and cans, and composting all food and landscape waste.

• Reduce the waste generated by donating reusable items (furniture, stationery) to charitable organizations.

Toxics Reduction

• Minimize the use of toxic materials to protect employee and guest health, and the health of the environment.  Specifically:
  - Dispose of or recycle toxic products safely.
  - Choose less toxic or non-toxic janitorial products.
  - Recycle waste: lamps, batteries, electronics and other universal waste.
  - Purchase low or no mercury lamps whenever possible.

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

• When possible, we purchase/use:
  - Remanufactured toner cartridges.
  - Paper products with 35%-100% recycled content.
  - Energy Star rated appliances, electronics and office equipment.
  - Water efficient toilets, showerheads and faucet aerators.

Conserve

• We conserve fossil fuels by:
  - Promoting the use of public transport for our employees and guests.
  - Offering telecommuting options.
  - Encouraging carpooling among employees.
  - Participating in Spare the Air campaigns.

Employee Education

• We educate employees on resource conservation and pollution prevention through:
  - Training programs to educate employees on proper recycling, reuse and composting practices, resource conservation ideas, importance of low toxic purchasing, etc.
  - Informing employees of environmental issues in company newsletters and staff meetings
  - Offering environmental incentives and benefits to employees
  
  

For more information on Joie de Vivre Green Dreams, please visit www.jdvhotels.com/greendreams

About Joie de Vivre

Based in San Francisco, Joie de Vivre (http://www.jdvhotels.com) is a creative collection of lifestyle businesses. As California’s largest independent boutique hotel collection, Joie de Vivre encompasses other hospitality businesses such as restaurants and spas. Celebrating 21 years of creating joy, Joie de Vivre is expanding its California presence in Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Sunnyvale, Huntington Beach and beyond.

Lori Lincoln, Director of Public Relations
415.773.1067
llincoln@jdvhospitality.com

Alexis Evans, Public Relations Manager
415.248.5951
aevans@jdvhospitality.com