Eco-friendly
Hotels Are More Green Than Ever
Being
a green eco-friendly hotel can help you save the environment,
your guests and can even save money.
Kingman,
AZ (PRWEB) October 11, 2005 -- You may conserve at home but
how do you follow that philosophy on the road when it is out
of your control? Or is it? Staying at a eco-friendly hotel,
also known as green lodging, is one way enforce your own viewpoint.
Hotels
around the world are massive consumers of water and producers
of waste. It is up to the hotel to set their own policies and
practices about how they deal with the environment. Of course
you change the sheets after having houseguests, but do you change
your sheets every day on your own bed? Many hotels, even ones
that aren't a eco-friendly hotel otherwise, give you the option
of re-using your bedding while at your hotel for a few nights.
It is usually done by positioning a card left in the room or
leaving towels and linens in a particular manner. Or you may
just throw the towels on the floor if you want them washed every
time they are used. We've all felt those abrasive sandpaper-like
towels in some chains so perhaps this would actually help them
stay a towel longer as well.
A
hotel may use fluorescent light bulbs, which do not waste most
of their energy producing heat like incandescent bulbs do. This
change is the most significant big money saver on the utility
bill. Fluorescent bulbs also rarely need to be replaced, saving
the eco-friendly hotel on maintenance in addition to electricity.
A eco-friendly hotel policy may conserve water and reduce carbon
dioxide gas emissions.
Many
common cleaning products can hazardous to both consumers and
the environment, so a eco-friendly hotel may use eco-friendly
products similar to consumer lines by Seventh Generation (http://www.seventhgeneration.com)
or Ecover (http://www.ecover.com).
"Most
guests do not know or pay close attention to what is happening
behind closed doors of the back rooms, but they may feel better
about staying at a place that is concerned for their welfare
and the environment," says Adam Longfellow of AllStays.com,
a worldwide hotel lodging directory with a focus on green lodging
(http://www.allstays.com/green-hotels/green-hotels.htm). "It
may be just the owners or staff that feel strongly about these
issues, but more and more guests are paying attention to this
whenever possible. The hard part is finding the properties that
have implemented good practices. We've made it a priority to
help with that information."
Going
to green lodging doesn't have to be more costly. It will most
likely save the eco-friendly hotel big money every year. They
could save up to 40 percent on energy bills with another 20
percent savings on waste and water bills. And from a consumer
standpoint, there are eco-friendly hotels in all price ranges.
From a small bed and breakfast to a large luxury hotel, you
can find something to make you sleep easier at night.
Almost
every aspect of lodging can be improved upon for both guests
and the environment. Most of which can save money as well and
that is a ingredient in the foundation of any world change.
Hotels can go green from the ground up if they are built more
efficiently from the start. From orientation of the building
to the sun to the use of environmentally friendly and locally
sourced building materials. Instead of watering a plain lawn,
water fruits and vegetables that can be given to guests. Or
use natural landscaping that doesn't require extra watering
at all. A better use of technology and insulation can mean for
lower bills and a more quiet guest environment. Hotels can use
low or no-VOC (Volatile Organic Chemicals) paints for a more
healthy interior. Providing recycle bins for guests to use makes
for a more visible statement. Buying "energy star"
(http://www.energystar.gov) appliances whenever possible is
good for all and saves on utility bills. Use solar water heaters
and pumps for pools. Providing maps, information on public transportation
and things within walking distance encourages less consumption
of fuel. Skylights can save on energy and provide for more pleasant
public areas. Use Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights whenever
possible, such as exit signage and night lights. They use almost
no electricity and last thousands of hours.
If
this can become more of a trend, everyone will benefit. Look
for a green hotel next time you travel. You may or may not find
one where you need to sleep but it's worth a moment to check
first. Ask about environmental policies and show appreciation
to the staff when you see green policies in implementation.
What's
the next step? Perhaps a major car rental company can start
renting hybrid cars on a large scale basis.
AllStays.com,
online since 2000 and based in Arizona (US), lists all kinds
of lodging, from bed & breakfasts to yoga retreats and luxury
hotels, from primitive campgrounds to motels, haunted hotels
and spa resorts. AllStays also links directly to official websites
to make sure you have the real scoop on the latest and most
accurate information from around the world.
Research,
Browse, and book online to stay anywhere on Earth. http://www.allstays.com
AllStays.com
8824 Ironwood Drive
Kingman, AZ 86401
Phone (928) 727-1312
