Sustainability Never Goes Out Of Fashion At Element Hotels: Launching Element Exchange Clothing Swap Pop-Ups In Celebration Of National Secondhand Wardrobe Day, August 25

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Element® Hotels, part of Marriott International, is proud to support National Secondhand Wardrobe Day on August 25, 2017 by introducing The Element Exchange, a series of secondhand clothing pop-ups. All of the brand's properties in North America will participate, using their public spaces to encourage hotel guests and local communities to swap, not shop, for their next item of clothing.

With the launch of this new initiative, Element Hotels will contribute to combatting the global issue of fashion waste, as well as support the sustainability efforts of the local communities around each of Element's hotels in North America. Each hotel will host their own unique event on August 25 in support of local clothing recycling partners or shelters.

"Clothes are one of the most frequent items purposefully left behind in hotel rooms," said Marlon Whyte, Global Brand Leader of Element Hotels. "The Element Exchange helps to limit the huge environmental impact of fashion sustainability by giving guests and locals in our vibrant communities the option to exchange or recycle clothing and offset their carbon footprint."

At Element Boston Seaport's pop-up, attendees will be able to enjoy sustainable bites in the courtyard and sample organic wine through a sustainable and automated wine cart while they 'shop'. The event will see Boston-based clothing upcycling partners helping guests give their items of clothing a new life. Ministry of Supply, Boston-founded maker of performance dress clothes that supplies underprivileged adults with clothing for the workplace and job interviews, will be on-site for attendees interested in shopping and upcycling through their 1 In, 1 Out initiative.

Fashion sustainability continues to grow as a major environmental issue. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 85% of all discarded textiles – 13 million tons – are sent to U.S. landfills every year.  In addition, it takes 2,700 litres of water to make one cotton t-shirt, that is enough for one person to stay hydrated for 900 days¹.

As an eco-conscious, extended stay brand, Element Hotels are built green from the ground-up using sustainable materials and eco-driven practices. The Element Exchange initiative further highlights the brand's commitment to adopting environmentally friendly practices and supporting their local communities.

As part of The Element Exchange initiative, all of the North American Element Hotels will install donation and upcycling points for clothes, which will remain on property in perpetuity for future guests to recycle their garments.

Since the brand's inception Element Hotels has been an eco-innovation lab, with the brand constantly exploring new ways to better the guest experience while keeping true to its philosophy.  For example, each hotel features a Bikes to Borrow program, electric-vehicle charging stations, saline swimming pools, SPG Keyless access to guestrooms, spa-inspired bathrooms with eco-friendly fixtures, in-room recycling bins, in-room filtered water and workout bikes that allow guests to re-charge their phones as they pedal.

About Element Hotels 
Element® Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., is made to order for guests in the know and on the go. Its bright design defies convention, bathing guest rooms and public spaces in natural light. Stylish and sustainable throughout, Element offers extended stay comfort with a conscience and lots of signature amenities from its healthy RISE breakfast and RELAX evening reception to saline swimming pools, spacious fitness centers, bikes to borrow and electric vehicle charging stations. Element made history in 2008 as the only major hotel brand to pursue LEED certification for high-performance buildings brand-wide.   Element is proud to participate in the industry's award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®. Members can now link accounts with Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. Visit www.ElementHotels.com or connect on Facebook and Instagram.

Marriott International, Inc. MAR is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,200 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 125 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

¹ World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.