How can hotels "green" their businesses? First bring their operations into compliance with all environmental regulations, then adopt pollution prevention and resource conservation practices. The program checklists offer a variety of options for meeting program standards. Here are some examples of what you can do.
Top 10 Green Hotel Practices
Good Housekeeping and Pollution Prevention
- Monitor, record and post rates of energy and water use. Watch for changes that may indicate a need to repair or change equipment.
- Evaluate cleaners, sanitizers, paints, pesticides and other chemicals used throughout your facility. Can a safer product be substituted? Can a product be eliminated? Are chemicals being stored safely?
Solid Waste Reduction
- Buy recycled-content products for the office, construction and remodeling projects.
- Buy in bulk, whether it's guest amenities or food for the kitchen.
- Start a recycling program for trash from guest rooms, the kitchen and your business office. Target materials: paper of all kinds, bottles and cans, plastics and cardboard.
Encourage Green Practices in both Employees and Guests
- Provide incentives to encourage staff participation in efforts to "green" the establishment.
- Institute a linen reuse program in guestrooms.
Conserve Energy and Water
- Install energy efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs, heating and air conditioning, washers and dryers, and other electrical equipment.
- Install water conserving showerheads and toilets in guestrooms.
Minimize Food Waste
- Donate leftover food, amenities and other "extras" to local shelters or other recipients.
