Green Lodging Part II : What Should I Look For?

Did you ever think about the amount of water used to wash the towels and sheets in a hotel? Especially if they are washed everyday?

Where do all those water bottles go that sit on the counter? 

Are the lights really kept on while I am not in the room?

These might be some of the questions you ask yourself while you are staying in a hotel.  If not, these are exactly the things you should ask when you go to stay at a hotel.

Here is a list of items to consider when being conscious of your eco-foot print at a hotel:

• Does the hotel have a linen re-use program?  If so, do they communicate to you, as a guest?

A linen reuse program is where the guest has the option of if their sheets and towels are changed during their stay.  Normally, the hotel will only change the sheets after 3 days or upon check out.  As for towels, if the towels are on the floor- they get washed.  If you hang them up, their yours to continue to use.  It is very important that you are a responsible guest and do what you can to help the eco-friendly efforts of your hotel.

• Does the hotel recycle? What do they recycle and where do they recycle it?

Ask the front desk, they should know.   A lot of hotels will have a seperate recycle bin or bag in the guestroom to collect bottles.  If you don’t see a bin, don’t be shy – ASK.  Some hotels recycle in the back of the house or are only able to recycle certain items due to their waste management provider. Further, there should be some form of communication in the guestroom to inform you of your recycling options.  I know of one upscale hotel that tells their guests to leave their unwanted newspapers on the shelf of the nightstand in order for it to be recycled.  The housekeepers then place this in a seperate bag to dispose of in a recycling bin as they clean the rooms.

• When no one is in the room, do the lights stay on?  What about the t.v.? The air conditioning?  Does that happen in the meeting rooms too?

Some hotels do have a safety requirement that a light is on in case someone enters the room in the dark.  Otherwise, the lights should be turned off.  A lot of hotels have their air conditioning units on a sensor that detects when someone has left the room, the air temperature will automatically rise to save on the electricity used.  Ever wonder why the room is warmer when you return?  It is in the interest of Earth, do not call the front desk to complain, give it a minute to cool down.  As for meeting rooms, if the hotel doesn’t have an energy mangement system that controls the lights and the air from one control room – then it should be the hotel employee’s responsibility to turn off the meeting room lights when no one is available.  If you see lights on, again, don’t be shy – tell someone & tell them why it is important.

Do your research before you stay at a hotel.  Check out their website for any specific green certifications, look for any literature you can to determine their environmental impact.

If you can’t find what you are looking for, ask someone.  Most hotels are very proud of the steps they are taking to save the planet, they would love to share their efforts with you.

Lastly, be a responsible traveller and do your part. 

Happy travels!!