Sustainability

The DTECH® team strives to create an experience that is cleaner and more sustainable from start to finish. Our mission is to impact change through our conference programming as well as our event planning processes and onsite practices wherever possible. Our team and our vendors are committed to mitigating environmental impacts and supporting social change whenever and wherever we hold DTECH® today and in the future. Check out a few of our efforts at DTECH Reliability & Resiliency.

Waste reduction

  • 100% recycled note paper
  • Pens made from recycled materials
  • Recycling program for office paper, plastic, glass
  • Use of commercial trash compactor + waste‑minimizing practices
  • Eco‑friendly water service (reduction of single‑use plastics)
  • Event‑space recycling
  • Paperless billing
  • Illy cups made from post‑consumer recycled paper
  • Residential Amenities program reducing plastic by >35%
  • Waste oil from kitchens converted into biofuel via RTI
  • Linenless meeting setups minimize laundry cycles, reducing water, energy, and chemical use while cutting overall textile waste.

Energy efficiency

  • Replaced light bulbs with energy‑efficient bulbs
  • ENERGY STAR® certified properties (Marriott overall + Marriott Marquis Chicago)
  • Motion sensor and timed light switches in offices & storage rooms
  • Room energy‑saving sensors that adjust lighting based on time of day
  • Energy‑saving showers & water‑efficient toilets
  • Lights and air conditioning turned off automatically when leaving guest rooms and meeting spaces

Water conservation Initiatives

  • Low‑flow showerheads and toilets (Marriott Hotels & Resorts)
  • Water‑saving showerheads in all guest rooms (Marriott Marquis Chicago)
  • Water‑conserving 1.6 gpf toilets
  • Sensor‑activated faucets in public restrooms

Sustainable F&B Practices

  • Local purchasing within a 200‑mile radius via Testa Produce
  • Compliance with USDA / NOP standards for organic purchasing
  • Use of eco‑friendly disposable vessels & cutlery in grab‑and‑go locations

Community, Certifications & Responsible Operations

  • LEED Silver Certification for Marriott Marquis Chicago
  • Marriott’s commitment to environmental leadership & eco‑volunteerism
  • Emissions reduction partnership with South Pole (forestry, renewables, waste management, energy access)
  • Marriott’s global sustainability work (ENERGY STAR leadership, linen programs, water/energy savings initiatives)
  • Green cleaning products under the Ecolab Green Program (Glass Cleaner, Zephair White Cotton, Clean and Smooth Hand Soap)
  • Guest education signage encouraging them to “Make an impact”
  • Online event menus
  • Detailed information available at marriott.com/environment