Wyndham in Puerto Rico eliminating plastic straws
Feb 15, 2019
Photo: Relax by the pool at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort Credit Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort to Eliminate Plastic Straws
Resort joins movement to protect natural resources from the dangers of disposable plastic
(Río Grande, February 2019) Reaffirming its commitment to its community and the restoration of Puerto Rico, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort announces a new initiative to eliminate plastic straw use on the resort. As part of its continued efforts to support Puerto Rico’s natural wildlife and sustainable future, the team at Wyndham Grand began an initiative last year to deplete its existing supply of plastic straws by the start of 2019. The resort now offers guests biodegradable straws to be used in cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. Plastic straws will be available by guest request.
“We are fully committed to do everything we can to protect the wonderful natural resources that surround Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort and inspire the magic of this island,” said General Manager Nils Stolzlechner. “Our guests are interested in the local ecology and appreciative of our efforts to support it – and many of them look for ways to participate. This initiative helps us take a step towards a safer environment for wildlife that our teams and guests can all be part of, while changing our processes for the better.”
Plastic straws are not biodegradable and take hundreds of years to break down. Thousands end up in the oceans, posing real danger to animals such as sea turtles and fish. According to the World Economic Forum, the plastic in our oceans will outweigh the fish by 2050. The resort, which offers community education around annual sea turtle (tinglar) nesting season in partnership with the Dept. of Natural and Environmental Resources, actively works to protect sea turtle nests by blocking access to the beach at sunset each summer.
The resort, recently named one of TIME Magazine’s 2018 World’s Greatest Places for its groundbreaking efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, participates in a variety of local environmental efforts to support the island. Earlier this year, the resort presented a donation of $16,000 to the National Forest Foundation (NFF), to aid in the restoration and recovery of neighboring El Yunque National Rainforest, which was damaged during Hurricane María. Last July, a group of volunteers from the resort visited María de la Cruz Cave in Loíza to help the ecological restoration of the bee community there, and plant endemic trees in the local park.
The resort, its golf courses, and restaurants, are fully operational after multi-million dollar renovations were completed earlier this year.
Learn more about Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort online at WyndhamGrandRioMar.comor call (800) 474-6627.
Photo: Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort is a beauty on the beach, Credit: Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico
About Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort:
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort is nestled on 500 acres along a mile-long section of golden beach adjacent to the El Yunque National Rainforest and the Mameyes River. The lush resort features a 48,000-sq. ft. oceanfront conference center, a 7,000-square-foot casino; two world-class 18-hole golf courses; a 7,000 square foot spa and fitness center; multiple lounges and entertainment venues; international tennis center; water sports center; and two beachfront pools.
About Wyndham Grand:
Travel is the best excuse to enjoy the grand things in life. With locations in some of the world’s most sought after vacation destinations – including Shanghai, Istanbul, Doha, Salzburg and Orlando – Wyndham Grand® hotels transform ordinary moments into unforgettable experiences. Decidedly not stuffy, but approachable by design, this upper-upscale hotel brand helps travelers make every moment count.
