(Marketwired) - Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN), one of the world's largest hospitality companies, today announced that nearly half of its domestic real estate portfolio by square footage now holds certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

Most recently, Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the Company's vacation ownership business unit, received its first-ever gold certification for its headquarters building, Sea Harbor Office Center, in Orlando, Fla. The certification makes the building the largest LEED Commercial Interiors Gold level certified project in the state of Florida. And in December, RCI, a division of Wyndham Exchange & Rentals achieved LEED certification for Existing Buildings, Operations and Maintenance for its Carmel, Ind., Vacation Plaza corporate offices.

"These two certifications mark another fantastic win for us in our ongoing dedication to sustainability and facility operational excellence," said Frank Campana, senior vice president, Corporate Real Estate & Facilities, Wyndham Worldwide. "It reflects our overall commitment to adopt innovative practices that improve and sustain positive environmental results over time, as well as enhance our associates' work-life environment."

Wyndham Worldwide also received a gold certification for its newest building on its corporate headquarters campus in Parsippany, N.J., in addition to its two previously received silver-level LEED designations, making it the first and only company in New Jersey to hold LEED Certifications in both Commercial Interiors and Existing Building Operations and Maintenance. As a result of the energy efficiency measures implemented, the ENERGY STAR score for the corporate headquarters property was increased from 90 to 97, indicating it's in the top 3 percent of buildings across the nation. Most recently, the Company was named as the recipient of the 2013 Middle Atlantic Region Outstanding Building of the Year Award (TOBY) for best managed building from the Building Owners and Managers Association, and advances as a finalist in the International Awards. This award recognizes excellence in building management, operational efficiency, tenant retention, emergency planning and community impact.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership, Orlando, Fla.
The Sea Harbor Office Center underwent an impressive build-to-suit renovation, including sustainable design and office furnishings, energy efficiency and superior employee comfort, and diversion of construction waste from local landfills. The company uses LED and fluorescent lighting, is located near local public transportation, offers a carpooling program and has shaded garage parking.

Receiving 66 points out of 100, WVO achieved Gold Certification through:

• reducing its energy use for lighting by 32 percent and its energy use for HVAC by 31 percent;
• reducing water consumption 41 percent through the use of low-flow toilets, faucets and fitness center showers;
• controlling 88 percent of lighting through occupancy sensors;
• installing a heat reflective ENERGY STAR-rated cool roof;
• Using 97 percent new ENERGY STAR equipment and appliances;
• maximizing daylight and access to views;
• using low-emitting materials such as paints, sealants, adhesives, flooring, and engineered wood products; and
• Implementing an ergonomics program focused on furniture options and associate coaching.

RCI, Wyndham Exchange & Rentals, Carmel, Ind.
Since 2004, the Facilities Management team has been committed to making Vacation Plaza a more environmentally-friendly workplace through energy and water efficient building improvements – no small feat for a 41-year-old facility that originally served as a warehouse.

The Vacation Plaza certification was achieved through:

• reducing energy consumption by 29 percent;
• reducing domestic water consumption by more than 15 percent through water-efficient faucets; and fixtures, and reducing outside water consumption by 50 percent with water-efficient irrigation and plant selections;
• developing an exterior building site maintenance program that requires the use of natural fertilizers, landscape waste to be diverted from landfills and the limited use of gas-powered tools; and
• instituting a sustainable purchasing policy that encourages the purchase of items such as lamps and other electronic goods and furniture which are environmentally friendly, conserve natural resources, minimize waste and reduce toxicity.

To further reduce its carbon footprint and energy usage, the office participates in a local electric utility service in which 100 percent of its electricity is generated by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.

Believing that you can do well by doing good, Wyndham Worldwide's corporate social responsibility program integrates sustainability, diversity, philanthropy, human rights and responsible corporate governance and business practices into its culture and how its businesses operate around the world since its introduction on the NYSE in 2006.

Recognized as an industry leader in sustainability, the Company was recognized as a 2014 Silver Class Sustainability Leader by RobecoSAM, named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index and ranked number one among hotels and restaurants by Newsweek magazine in its annual Greenest Companies in America survey two years in a row.

"We are proud of the ongoing recognition for our work in sustainability, which is the result of the collective commitment and efforts by so many individuals throughout our company who work together to reduce our carbon footprint and drive leadership in the industry," said Faith Taylor, senior vice president, sustainability and innovation, Wyndham Worldwide. "Being green is literally 'built in' to Wyndham Worldwide and is a critical piece of our corporate social responsibility."

About Wyndham Worldwide
One of the world's largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) provides a wide range of hospitality products and services through its global portfolio of world-renowned brands. The world's largest hotel company based on the number of properties, Wyndham Hotel Group is home to many of the world's best-known hotel brands, with approximately 7,490 franchised hotels and over 645,400 hotel rooms worldwide. Wyndham Exchange & Rentals is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the world's largest professionally managed vacation rentals business, providing more than 5 million leisure-bound families annually with access to over 107,000 vacation properties in over 100 countries through its prominent exchange and vacation rental brands. The industry and timeshare ownership market leader, Wyndham Vacation Ownership develops, markets, and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its network of over 190 vacation ownership resorts serving approximately 907,000 owners throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Based in Parsippany, NJ, Wyndham Worldwide employs approximately 32,800 associates globally. For more information, please visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com.

Wyndham Worldwide Corporation

Wyndham Worldwide Corporation

One of the world's largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) provides a wide range of hospitality products and services through its global portfolio of world-renowned brands.

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