Sustainability & Community Engagement at Zurich Marriott Hotel

Sustainability is an integral part of our daily operations. From how we serve food to how we power our rooms, eco-conscious choices help create a guest experience that is both comfortable and responsible. These efforts have been recognized through our Green Key, Swisstainable Level III, and ISO 14001 certifications, reflecting a thoughtful and structured approach to environmental responsibility.

Our culinary philosophy starts at the top, literally. Our rooftop garden supplies the kitchen with fresh, organic herbs and vegetables, harvested just steps from your plate. Nestled among the greenery, you’ll also find a large insect hotel and our own beehive, producing honey used not only in our dishes but also in our cocktails, crafted with our house-made, honey-infused Lenox gin.

In our restaurants, we prioritize seasonal and regional ingredients to ensure freshness and quality while minimizing delivery distances. By sourcing locally, nearby producers are supported and our environmental footprint is reduced, resulting in meals that are both delicious and sustainable. In addition, single-use plastics such as straws, cups and unnecessary packaging have been eliminated.

Our guest rooms and hotel operations incorporate a range of sustainability-focused features, including biogas energy, electric vehicle charging stations, refillable in-room amenities, and compostable coffee capsules. Extensive recycling programs support waste reduction, while digital touchpoints and mobile key access help reduce the use of printed materials.

We are committed to reducing food waste through innovative practices. In partnership with the “Too Good To Go” app, quality meals are enjoyed rather than discarded, while the AI-powered KITRO solution helps optimize kitchen operations. The technology reduced food waste by 18% in just 10 months. Additional measures include repurposing unused baked goods and breakfast grains.

At the Zurich Marriott Hotel, we are committed to sustainable meetings and events. To reduce waste, we use pencils made from recycled newspaper, have eliminated tablecloths, and provide meeting pads only upon request. By embracing digital solutions such as electronic signage, digital offers, and streamlined billing, we have reduced our paper use in all hotel areas by over 90% since 2018.

Since 2005, the Zurich Marriott Hotel, together with partner hotels in Southern Germany and Switzerland, has been supporting the “Star of Hope” orphanage in Alba Iulia, Romania. Each year, hotel representatives personally deliver tons of donated goods, along with a financial contribution. In addition, the hotel organizes several fundraising initiatives among staff throughout the year to support the orphanage.

Each year, the hotel team dedicates its free time to preparing a festive Advent brunch. Around 600 guests attend annually, enjoying live music and free haircuts provided by volunteer hairdressers from Barber Angels. Held since 2004 in collaboration with Sozialwerk Pfarrer Sieber, the event creates an opportunity for people to come together and share a special Advent experience in a welcoming environment.

In addition to various year-round cleaning initiatives and participation in charity runs supporting breast cancer awareness, the hotel team also takes part annually in the Water Lover Challenge - a global initiative aimed at combating cigarette butt pollution and protecting ecosystems.

Ready to explore on two wheels? Complimentary bike rentals nearby make it easy to discover the city, the shores of Lake Zurich, and the surrounding nature at your own pace. Our concierge will be happy to recommend scenic routes, from a relaxed ride to the Werdinsel to a longer trip to Kloster Fahr. Cycling paths start just moments from the hotel, and secure bicycle parking is available for your convenience.

Feeling thirsty? No need for bottled water - just turn on the tap. Zurich’s drinking water is among the finest in the world: clean, fresh, and naturally filtered to the highest standards. Even when you’re out and about, plastic bottles aren’t necessary. With over 1,200 public fountains across the city, safe drinking water is always within reach. Skip single-use plastic, refill your bottle, and stay refreshed.

Take advantage of Zurich’s excellent public transportation system with the Zürich Card, offering free travel and exclusive benefits. The Zurich Marriott Hotel has a prime city-center location near the main train and central bus stations, making sustainable travel to the hotel and throughout Switzerland effortless. Guests can arrive easily by public transport and explore many of the city’s highlights on foot.