Apr 24, 2014

HMSHost Plants Trees in Honor of Company’s Followers and Fans in Celebration of Earth Day

HMSHost to plant a tree for every new Follower and Fan on social media, to bring awareness to Earth Day and the importance of being green

BETHESDA, MD—When you “Like” a company on Facebook or “Follow” an organization on Twitter, do you think someone hears you? HMSHost is listening, and showing appreciation for your support in an impactful way! To celebrate this year’s Earth Day, global restaurateur HMSHost will plant 10,000 trees—a commitment to all of the new “Likes” or “Follows” we’ve received on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, from April 19th through April 22nd. HMSHost is partnering with the national non-profit organization, American Forests to plant the trees.

“Earth Day is such an impactful day, to remind people of the importance of sustainability efforts in support of a healthy environment,” said Linda Dunn, Vice President of Supply Chain & Sustainability for HMSHost. “With more and more ways to share this message through social media, this initiative was a great opportunity to bring these audiences together in this shared goal. We thank all of our new fans and followers, and are thrilled to celebrate your support with the planting of these trees.”

“American Forests thanks HMSHost for its support in protecting and restoring forests,” said Lea Sloan, Vice President of Communications, American Forests. “Planting trees is an important and impactful way to help ensure clean air, clean water, reduce soil erosion and stormwater runoff and to mitigate the effects of our changing climate.”

In further support of Earth Day, HMSHost asked each of its restaurant locations in the 100 airports, 99 motorway travel plazas and 6 malls across the nation where it operates, as well as its headquarters offices, to turn off non-essential lights and gadgets between 2pm and 3pm.

HMSHost’s startsomewhere® sustainability initiative continues to support the environment and community every day. The program, with the objective of making the world a better place, focuses on three pillars—the environment, nutrition and wellness, and community partnerships. Since its inception in 2010, startsomewhere® has made significant contributions, and continues to expand every year.

In 2013, HMSHost recycled approximately:

• 1.8 million gallons of cooking oil
• 7.5 million pounds of cardboard
• 1.9 million pounds of coffee
• 2.0 million bottles and cans recycled back of house (e.g., commissary, kitchen)
• 1.9 million milk jugs
• 333 thousand pounds of paper
• 249 thousand individual pallets
• 64 thousand pounds of plastic film / shrink wrap
• 18 thousand pounds of whip cream chargers
• 5 thousand individual printer ink cartridges

and donated approximately:

• 2.4 million pounds of food to community food banks
• 1.9 million pounds of back of house composting

HMSHost is also the proud recipient of the Port of Seattle Commission’s fourth annual Green Gateway Environmental Excellence Award for the company’s environmental performance at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This award honors airport business partners who best champion sustainability. HMSHost was recognized for leading Sea-Tac’s 2013 food donation effort for the second year in a row, donating a total of 21,790 pounds of food—the equivalent of 335, meals a week; and for reducing waste at five casual dining restaurants by replacing disposable items with reusable alternatives.