Green lodging

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Green lodging refers to environmentally conscientious hospitality facilities which meet standards for environmental responsibility established by public and/or private organizations while maintaining a profitable and healthy environment.

List of Existing Standards

Environmental standards focus on sustainable practices through conserving natural resources such as energy and water, minimizing waste and pollution, and efficient management of hazardous substances.

Regulatory Standards are set in order to mandate the lodging industry to meet public environmental standards set by government agencies. Several states currently have state certification programs for green lodging and some of them provide monetary incentives to participate. Federal standards are set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA currently offers a voluntary Energy Star certification for the hospitality industry striving to be environmentally responsible.

Proprietary Standards are set by companies that have created private standards that help the hospitality industry meet state or federal standards and to help them save money while being environmentally responsible. Green Seal for Hospitality is a national organization that offers a Green Seal certification to environmentally responsible properties. Cradle to Cradle is another nationally used certification program. The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) has created a Green Key Eco-Rating Program to recognize environmental responsibility. Organizations that have created international certification programs include Green Leaf Eco-Rating by Audubon International, Green Hotel Certification by Green Globe International, and EcoTel Certification by EcoTel International. Regulatory and proprietary standards have been developed outside voluntary consensus and are not necessarily widely accepted as universal standards.

Voluntary consensus standards are set by an integrated group of organizations that come together and create widely accepted standards based on a diverse range of information. No current voluntary consensus national industry standard has been established for green lodging. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) international sustainability subcommittee has nine proposed new standards that apply to the hospitality sector.

Rating and Assessment Tools

The Green Building Initiative (GBI) is the only green building organization formally recognized by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an accredited national standards developer. GBI developed the American National Standard 01-200XP for commercial buildings and uses Green GlobesTM national rating system to evaluate buildings according to this ANSI recognized standard. The US Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the Standard 189P (Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings) and uses Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as its national rating system. USGBC's Standard 189P is still pending accreditation through ANSI. USGBC is also working with American Hotel and Lodging Association in order to create an LEED rating system specifically for the hospitality industry.

Green Globes Rating System

Environmental Impact

Hotels in the United States spend close to $4 billion in energy costs per year according to the American Hotel and Lodging Association. The EPA estimates that reducing energy consumption an average of 10% across the hospitality industry would save $285 million annually.

The average hotel guest uses 218 gallons of water a day according to the California Integrated Waste Management Board. Studies estimate that the hospitality industry can reduce water usage by 20-30% without compromising guest satisfaction through the use of water saving programs and devices.

The average solid waste output every year in the United States is over 200 million tons. The hospitality industry creates a significant amount of that waste material. Green buildings can potentially lower solid waste output by 70% using an effective waste management system according to green building research.

Best Practices

The following areas are common to most recommended practices:

Environmental Policy

Establishing a suitable sustainability policy statement that complies with government environmental regulations, utilizes natural resources efficiently, protects the health and safety of communities and ecosystems and continually improves environmental performance of conducting business.

Conserving Natural Resources

Energy Management-Increasing energy efficiency and reducing the amount of energy consumed by using energy efficient methods for temperature control, lighting, space optimization, building envelopes, and electronic equipment as well as designing and operating buildings that are LEED certified.

Water Management-Conserving water by installing water saving devices with water conserving features on toilets, showerheads and faucets and instituting a towel/sheet reuse program. Landscaping with native vegetation that requires minimum irrigation also significantly reduces water usage.

Waste Management-Reducing waste production by developing an efficient waste management plan that includes a recycling and composting facility as well as using high efficiency products and building materials from post-consumer material.

Air Management-Maintaining healthy air quality by conducting clean air practices in order to reduce health related liability and indoor air pollution.

Procurement

Establish policies for environmentally and socially sensitive purchasing and use products from local vendors and green supply organizations that provide Eco-friendly products or services that minimize environmental impact of manufacturing, transport and disposal.

Site Management

General Operations-Attempt to maintain sustainability goals by conducting lean, efficient business operations and frequently perform sustainability evaluations of general business operations. Publish sustainability goals, practices, and policies on company website as well as information on hosting green conferences and events in order to enhance public image and maintain successful community partnerships.

Landscaping-Incorporate the use of native plants and vegetation and create an irrigation system that has a run-off and re-use system in order to ensure responsible water usage while protecting ground water and run off quality.

Management of Hazardous Substances-Minimizing the production of hazardous substances by utilizing environmentally preferable purchasing, toxic material substitution, or integrated pest management techniques.

Transportation-Provide guests with information about public transportation and walking guides as well as building passenger loading zones for taxis and shuttles that utilize more fuel efficient vehicles. Offering green commuting incentives for employees and reducing space needed for parking helps reduce the hotel's environmental footprint.

List of Environmental Guidelines and Best Practices for Going Green is available at American Hotel and Lodging Association

Savings associated with best practices are also available at this site

Most Common Environmental Practices

• A solid waste management plan

• A recycling program and use of recyclable products communicated to guests

• Purchasing policy favoring environmentally friendly products

• Bio-based or biodegradable products

• Reusable food service ware

• Paperless check-in & check-out for guests

• Energy efficiency program

• High efficiency appliances/electronics

• High efficiency lighting installed