Monday, June 3, 2013

Green Hotels

Green Initiatives In Hotels Create Superior Stays


By Sam Marquit, Independent ‘green’ contractor and co-author of Fair Marquit Value 

Summer time is vacation time for many of us.  As you are making your reservations, it would be worth your while to see if there are any green hotels in the area at your destination.  Green hotels are usually the same price as non-green hotels but you can feel better about staying there!   Green America Program is one organization working towards an environmentally sustainable society by collectively demanding an end to corporate thoughtlessness and irresponsibility. Hotels, with their economic buying power and community-like atmosphere, are increasingly adopting the initiatives of green programs. Green America Program clients are open to new ideas and eager to gain the advantages offered by using green technology.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in North Carolina routinely operates with eco-friendly practices. The hotel conserves precious water resources by using low flowing toilets and showerheads. A linen reuse policy further reduces water consumption. Additionally, those same linens come from recycled materials. The hotel also extends an opportunity to be green to their guests by offering bikes for local transportation and free valet parking for hybrid and electric vehicles. The seamless integration of eco-friendly advances within the hotel has earned them the LEED Gold certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for the healthy living environment within the hotel. As well as it’s reduced environmental impact. The cherry on top of this hotel is actually a roof garden with more than 60,000 honeybees. Not only are these bees necessary for pollination, but they also produce the honey used to make tasty treats in the facility's kitchens.

Another green hotel resides in the western part of the U.S. The Palazzo Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas is the largest structure in the United States with LEED certification. Named the "Most Eco-Friendly Hotel in America," it uses the best practices counseled by organizations such as Eco-Innovation-Europe and the Green America Program. Solar panels provide heat and efficient water and waste-recycling process dramatically reduces consumption. Each year, more than 41.6 million gallons of water are conserved. The use of environmentally sound paints, sealants, and adhesives creates a healthier interior.

In addition to these green facilities, green programs and initiatives exist throughout the world. Eco-Innovation-Europe enables exciting green research ideas to enter the market. Rapid commercialization of products, processes, and services engineered to protect the environment is the goal of this group. This initiative boosts environmentally sound business practices while spurring economic growth. A product or service that reduces CO2 emissions, promotes recycling efforts, or uses resources efficiently is eligible for assistance. The focus is on helping business adopt green practices, distributing and treating water resources more efficiently, increasing the amount of recycling by upgrades to the recycling process, supporting sustainable building products, and working with producers of food and drink.

Building with sustainable practices makes sense for the world and the bottom-line. Green Las Vegas hotels are especially thriving due to lowered operating costs and the welcoming environment a sustainable hotel creates. It is important for other businesses to continue to follow suit.
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