Image: iStockphoto.com/Ryan KC Wong
Green guidelines for hotels
Green hotels are a hot trend in the travel industry, and naturally, everyone is eager to slap on the green label, but check out their claims beforehand. Organizations such as the Green Hotels Association, Green Globe 21 and Green Leaf have accreditation programs for hotels that follow certain green standards and practices.
Your hotel should be following at least half of these guidelines:
- Conserving water through using low-flow showerheads and toilets.
- Offer a linen and towel reuse program on a two- to three-day cycle.
- Use refillable hair and skin-care dispensers.
- Supply glass cups and ceramic mugs (instead of plastic) for in-room beverages.
- Install compact fluorescent lights and sensors/timers on lights.
- Have a recycle program and put recycling baskets in all the rooms.
- Use recycled paper and chlorine-free paper products.
- Keep a chemical-free area by using non-toxic cleaners, sanitizers, paints and pesticides throughout the hotel.
- Sell organic and fair-trade products in the hotel shop.
- Include cloth napkins, glass cups, ceramic dishes and other reusable items with room service.
- Use ENERGY STAR appliances.
- Compost and recycle
- Have some kind of solar water-heating system for pools and hot tubs.
- Have an energy-management system (EMS) for the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system
- Offer organic, locally grown food in the hotel restaurant.
Ecolodges
Another way green wannabees try to impress potential visitors is by advertising themselves as an ecolodge. These establishments are a step up from green hotels and have very specific criteria. Your ecolodge should offer a carefully preserved natural setting with architecture that reflects the heritage of the local culture. Structures should be made using locally harvested and sustainable/recyclable material and there should enviro-friendly energy, water and waste systems.
Be a green guest
When a green hotel is not available, you can still be a green guest. Let housekeeping know they don’t need to change your sheets and towels every day. Turn off the AC, heat, lights and TV when you leave your room. Leave the little bottles of shampoo and soaps alone and ask for non-disposable dishes, cutlery and glasses when ordering room service. Pass on your complementary newspaper or ask the hotel to recycle it. Turn off the sauna, whirlpool, exercise equipment and Jacuzzi when you’re finished with them. Let the hotel management know you would like to see them lower water and energy usage and reduce solid waste, and that you prefer to patronize hotels that have gone green.
To find enviro-friendly hotels, contact the Green Hotel association for your destination:
- Africa: Eco Resorts
- Australia: Ecotourism Association of Australia
- British Isles: Green Tourism Business
- Canada/USA: Audubon Green LeafTM Eco-Rating Program
- China, Caribbean, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand and South America: Green Globe
- Europe: Voluntary Initiative for Sustainability in Tourism (VISIT) or Ecotrans
- USA: Green Hotels Association Worldwide: International Eco-tourism Society/Travel Choice
Green Living Network
