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Summertime is right around the corner, and for many people, that means the time has come to finalize vacation plans. You've picked a destination, but where are you going to stay? Whether it's a quaint bed-and-breakfast or a high-rise luxury resort, hotels consume large amounts of energy and water, and create large amounts of solid waste. In response to consumer interest and rising utility costs, many of these businesses are taking steps to reduce their ecological footprint. The result: "green" hotels, which provide an opportunity to make responsible lodging choices while ensuring a comfortable stay for you and your family.
One of the simplest green practices, asking guests to use their linens more than once instead of having them washed daily, is already used in thousands of hotels around the country. Self-described green hotels go further, however, by installing compact fluorescent light bulbs and occupancy sensors to maximize lighting and climate efficiency, and low-flow showerheads and toilets to reduce water use. Replacing single-use, disposable plastic bottles of soap and shampoo with refillable dispensers helps reduce solid waste.
The greenest of hotels offer courtesy vans that run on alternative fuels, eco-friendly cleaning products, recycling bins in guest rooms, and even "climate-neutral" rooms. Hotels offering this feature attempt to eliminate or offset all heat-trapping gas emissions associated with their rooms' materials or operations by investing in renewable energy.
Some of these greening efforts, such as linen reuse, are inexpensive and easy to implement, and yield immediate savings. Others require a substantial commitment of time and money, but the long-term benefits greatly outweigh the initial costs. Many guests respond favorably to these efforts and are enthusiastic about helping conserve natural resources, which fosters a loyal customer base. In short, green hotels are a win-win situation for everyone involved.
If you've already booked a hotel that isn't green, or your travel destination has no green hotels, you can still make a difference. Ask housekeeping to refrain from changing your towels and sheets every day. Save energy by turning off lights and turning down the thermostat in your room when you are away. Also, avoid needless waste by bringing your own toiletries instead of using those provided by the hotel.
Most importantly, let the hotel management know what you think of their environmental practices. If you stayed in a green hotel, thank the management for its commitment to the environment. Knowing that they're doing the right thing encourages continued improvements. If your hotel is not participating in a green program, ask the management why. Let them know that, as a paying customer, you want to stay in environmentally responsible hotels and suggest the initiatives described above. Hoteliers strive for customer satisfaction and loyalty, and take the concerns and suggestions of their guests seriously. Working together, hotels and their guests can help protect the travel destinations we all enjoy.
For more information on green hotels, visit the websites of the "Green" Hotels Association and Green Seal.
Also in this issue of Earthwise:
Dialogue
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pest-free garden without chemical
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