One of the best things about Sweet co-founder Jen Rainin is that she doesn’t let it lie. Wherever she goes, she wants to make a difference. Recently, she has been spending a lot of time in Corpus Christi, Texas (don’t ask). When she learned that her hotel didn’t have a recycling program, our favorite squeaky wheel found a way to get some grease.
Here’s the story in her own words:
I have met the coolest people in Corpus Christi, Texas. Recently, I had the good fortune to stay at the beautiful Omni Bayfront Hotel in downtown Corpus Christi, where I was showered with that famous southern charm. The doormen greeted me by name every morning, the housekeeper went out of her way to make me feel at home by leaving little notes on my desk, and the chef at the fabulous Republic of Texas restaurant upstairs accommodated my difficult dietary issues.
Everyone at the hotel really seemed caring and thoughtful. So I was blown away by the blank stares I got when I showed up in the lobby with a paper bag full of newspapers and plastic water bottles to ask where the hotel’s recycling bin was.
“Um, we don’t recycle here,” was the sheepish response. I knew that there was a city recycling program because I’d seen bins at the airport and the mall, but the hotel was not participating. I asked them what they did with all the newspapers that are put out daily in front of each of the 475 guest rooms. They said that they throw them in the trash along with the Styrofoam cups and containers they serve and the cardboard waste generated.
I marched back to my room, logged on to my computer and emailed hotel management with links to the city’s recycling program and a strong request that the hotel institute their own program.
Within 24 hours, I got this response, “We have been in contact with Waste Management with regard to recycling at our hotel and are in possession of a recycling container for paper and plastic products at our Bayfront Tower. We are working out the logistics of this program and are hopeful that we will be able to move forward at both Towers before your return to Corpus Christi in July.”
Woohoo! Thank you, Omni. You’ve earned a loyal customer and a special seat in the green section of heaven. I can’t wait to check out your shiny new recycling bins when I return. We can talk about the styrofoam then, too.
Way to go, Jen. Keep squeaking, Sweeties.
Tags: Jen Rainin
