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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
4.19.2007 - 12:24pm ET
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CSR News from:
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Carbonfund.org
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News Category:
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Orbitz Goes Green, from the Inside-Out
Eco-Friendly Travel Microsite and Carbonfund.org Partnership Will Help Travelers Find Green Vacation Options
(CSRwire) CHICAGO, IL – April 19, 2007 – Thinking "green" when you travel? Earth
Day is a brief period of time when environmental concerns are top of mind
in America. Orbitz (www.orbitz.com) has been working to make
this a year-round priority, committing to help Protect Planet Earth from
the inside-out. This innovative approach has been driven by employees'
passion for major internal recycling and energy-saving efforts. The
program has now grown into the launch of a pervasive corporate citizenship
initiative to raise environmental awareness, beginning with the
announcement of company-sponsored "voluntourism" vacations and now
extending to offer travelers eco-friendly opportunities to make a
difference of their own.
A recent Orbitz survey* found that more than half of Americans feel the
U.S. tourist industry is lagging when it comes to being "eco-friendly."
This reconfirmed the Orbitz Worldwide efforts already under way, in
offices from Chicago to Sydney to London, to curb its own environmental
impact, and the development, from the inside-out of eco-friendly travel
tools and environmentally-focused content on-site.
"Today, Orbitz invites travelers to join our own employees around the
world in making a difference when you travel," said Steve Barnhart, CEO
and president of Orbitz Worldwide, a division of Travelport Ltd (www.travelport.com).
"Orbitz Worldwide is committed to being a vocal proponent within the
travel community, working to offset the impact our industry has on the
environment, so we're enthusiastic about our partnership with a highly
respected organization like CarbonFund.org and the launch of Version 1.0
of our eco-microsite."
The first stage of the Orbitz eco-travel microsite is a comprehensive
resource for travelers who want to find everything from eco-friendly
hotels to environmental volunteer opportunities. Travelers who visit the
Orbitz eco-travel microsite (eco.orbitz.com), will have access to the
following information and tools:
- Articles on eco-travel. It's important to understand exactly what
"eco-tourism" means, how it effects local environments and communities
throughout the world and how everyone can make a difference. Read
articles from the experts at Away.com and Gorp.com to expand your
knowledge on this important topic.
- Top eco-friendly destinations. Editors from Away.com give their top
picks for destinations that are doing their part to create a sustainable
environment. Learn where to go and what to expect at some amazing
eco-friendly destinations around the world.
- Top "green" hotels. Orbitz hotel experts give picks on lodging
properties that operate with environmentally-friendly practices and
products. From using wind and solar power as energy sources to purchasing
only environmentally-friendly products such as “green” detergents for
linens and soaps, these hotels are great options for the environmentally
conscious traveler.
- Eco volunteer opportunities. Orbitz is linking travelers to the
National Park Service volunteer website where they can find rewarding
opportunities to become involved in conservation initiatives during their
travels.
- Eco-travel tips. Making big contributions to the environment on your
own can seem overwhelming, but there are plenty of simple things any
traveler can do to make a difference when you’re on the road. Whether
renting a hybrid car or taking a "to-go" coffee cup with you, Orbitz gives
travelers suggestions for easy things they can do on any trip.
Orbitz is also proud to be working with its partners at Carbonfund.org, a
not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. Carbonfund.org offsets travelers CO2
emissions by supporting viable renewable energy development, re-forestation
projects and other initiatives focused on turning back the clock on global
climate change.
"The travel industry has impacted the environment, and as a responsible
corporate citizen, Orbitz is committing to make a difference," said Eric
Carlson, Executive Director of CarbonFund.org. "We look forward to working
with Orbitz and its customers to help offset carbon emissions and make
environmental awareness a part of their standard operational procedures."
Protect Planet Earth is the theme of the internal as well as eco-awareness
campaign, and is being supported by reviving and repurposing one of the
Orbitz brand's original print ads launched in 2001. Orbitz Worldwide has
been actively working to reduce the impact of business operations on the
environment by:
Recycling efforts:
- Recycling bins in each kitchen for aluminum cans. 95% of the
products in our vending machines are cans, not plastic
- Discontinued use of all Styrofoam cups, bowls and plates. Using
recyclable paper products
- Distributed to every employee and contractor their own beverage cup
and insulated coffee mug to eliminate disposable cups, reducing amount of
garbage tremendously, as well as resulting in facility cost savings
- Recycling can at every desk, printer and conference room for paper
- Collection bins in each supply room for batteries
Energy savings:
- Motion sensor lights in offices and conference rooms, turn off
when no activity in room
- Lights in entire facility turn off at 10pm, turn on at 7:00am
- High Performance lighting throughout the common seating areas,
compliant with the International Energy code
- Water saving filters on kitchen taps
*The Orbitz poll was conducted online using MarketTool's Zommerang panel
of 320 adults ages 19-65, who are regular travelers. Zommerang is a market
research service, owned by MarketTool, that directly manages a
nationally-representative online panel of more than 2.5 million
individuals, with a global network extending to more than 8 million
consumers worldwide.
About Orbitz:
Orbitz (www.orbitz.com) is a leading online
travel company that enables travelers to search for and purchase a broad
array of travel products, including airline tickets, lodging, rental cars,
cruises and vacation packages. Since launching its website www.orbitz.com to the
general public in June 2001, Orbitz has become the third largest online
travel site based on gross travel bookings. On Orbitz, consumers can
search more than 400 airlines, more than 65,000 lodging properties
worldwide and 13 car rental companies. Orbitz is a Travelport brand.
Travelport (www.travelport.com) is one of the
largest and most geographically diverse travel companies, dedicated to
creating the exceptional travel experiences the world demands.
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