W Hotels partners with Ekocycle to promote sustainability with style

Guests at W Hotels will soon be sleeping on sheets and pillow cases partially composed of recycled plastic.

In a new partnership with the Ekocycle brand, the bedding will replace what is currently used in its 46 properties worldwide beginning with its US locations and then rolled out globally. The bedding will also be sold via the W Hotels online store, with full, queen and king size sheets available, at prices ranging from $207 to $267. Pillow cases are $62 to $79.

“W guests want to live a stylish, more sustainable lifestyle and this partnership is a way to allow them to do so when they are on the road,” said Sarah Doyle, global brand director of W Hotels Worldwide, which will expand to 60 properties by 2017. “Plus, it’ll help guests feel like they’re doing good for the environment when they stay with us, which could be a draw for new W guests as well.”

Described by W Hotels as ‘ultra-luxury,’ the sheets are made of 30% recycled polyester, or about 31 plastic 20-oz bottles for a king size sheet set. Cotton represents 60% and 10% is virgin polyester. That translates to approximately 268,000 plastic bottles for its hotel beds in North America alone. The company said guest won’t feel any difference, for the manufacturing process for its sheets remains the same. Use of the recyclable material does not increase their cost.

W Hotels is also introducing the new environmentally-friendly Mobile Charger and Accessory Valet to its nightstands. Made from 32% post-consumer materials - or about 3 recycled 20-oz bottles - it features a USB charger and international adapter, alarm clock, ambient LED light and holds jewellery. It can be purchased for $75. Minwiz, a Taipei-based engineering firm that focuses on using recycled materials, developed the MCAV.

Ekocycle, the environmental brand formed in 2012 by Black Eyed Peas singer will. i. am and Coca-Cola, has been creating lifestyle brands using recycled plastic. The concept was inspired by will.i.am when noticing the garbage left behind after a concert in South America. The first Ekocycle item introduced was a set of headphones with rapper Dr. Dre. There are now also bags, luggage, shoes and apparel.

“The new Ekocycle sheets and chargers that will now be at W are further proof that we can transform so much of the way we live through more sustainable, recycled materials,” stated will. i. am.

“W joining the Ekocycle movement was the perfect choice,” said Doyle. “And once we got to brainstorming, we didn’t need to look much further than the one thing every single guest – whether travelling for work or play – uses: the bed.”