Sunday, December 19, 2010

Ways Hotels Can Be Eco-Friendly

As we learn more about the threats to our environment, more people are embracing a 'Green' lifestyle. Businesses are now realizing that they also need to make changes in order to adopt a more environmentally friendly operation. One business area that is beginning to recognize the need to be more 'green' is the hotel industry. Many hotels are responding to consumer demands for a healthier and greener lifestyle by making their businesses more environmentally friendly.

Ways you can include your business environment friendly hotels:

1) Implement a towel and linen reuse program. Recycle stained tablecloths into napkins and aprons. You can also linen cloth bags from old records.

2) Take a non smoking policy throughout the hotel.

3) Enter rooms baskets and containers for newspaper, white paper, glass, aluminum cans, cardboard and plastic. Enter bins in publicareas.

4) Use fluorescent lights instead of incandescent bulbs. Install devices that power down heating and cooling systems when guests leave the room.

5) Adopt the use of nontoxic cleaners by housekeepers. Adopt other cleaning practices such as cleaning the windows with vinegar instead of chemicals. Dispense shampoo and soap from large containers instead of disposable plastic bottles.

6) Offer guests walking maps and information on public transportation.

7) Provide bicycles to guests for sight seeing excursions

8) Use electric or battery operated lawnmowers. Use a mulcher to chop up the garden clippings to make your own mulch. Ban the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizer. Use only organic products on the lawn and garden. Use 'Gray' water from the showers and sinks for ponds and landscaping. Compost food waste and use it as fertilizer.

9) Create an organically-grown vegetable garden for the restaurant.

10) If the hotel has a pool and/or hot tub, install a solar water heating system and use pool and hot tub covers when the pool area is closed

11) Use recycled paper and pens with soy ink. Use recycled paper products that are either unbleached or bleached using a chlorine free process. (brochures, menus, comment cards, stationary products)

12) Stock mini-bars with organic or natural snacks and beverages.

13) Install low flow toilets and shower heads.

14) Replace old washing machines with both Water and energy-efficient models.

15) use light as a source of natural light as much as possible. You can use solar energy as a light source and a source of energy. Install dimmers on light switches to save energy.

16) sponsor environmental education programs for visitors and surrounding communities.

17) keep the property, the extent of a more natural state as possible. Planting trees and flowers.

18) Earn 'green' credentials Hotel. Used the hotel as a certified "green" byorganisation such as an independent, national, and state organization that certifies eco-hotels. An example is the Washington-based Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), an architectural and building organization.

19) Use furniture made from responsibly harvested 'new growth' wood such as bamboo.

20) Use low emission paints and other material

21) Stock the rooms with toilet paper and facial tissue made from recycled products.

22) Buy products and services from eco-friendly vendors.

Being green means 'Green' hotels are adopting environmentally friendly practices and programs that will reduce energy, water, and waste. Hotels use a tremendous amount of energy and water as well as collect a huge amount of waste. By doing their part to conserve, recycle, and reduce, they are protecting the planet as well as providing a great place for eco-friendly guests to stay.

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