Traveling the Green Way

“Hotel guests and clients are driving the greening of the hotel industry”, says the Green Hotels Association.  The organization notes that hotels around the world have their own greening programs.  ‘What can consumers expect to find when they open their green guestroom door?’, asks the association.

 The Green Hotels Association suggests the following features of the “ideal green hotel guestroom”:

-Linen program asking guests to consider reusing towels and not having sheets changed daily

-No smoking

-Low-flow 1.5-2.5 gpm showerhead and 0.5 gpm sink aerators

-Recycling basket

-Fluorescent lighting - CFLs in lamps

-Dispensers for soap and shampoo

-All natural, biodegradable amenities

-Organic cotton or bamboo bed and bath linens

-Energy-management system

-Energy Star PTAC, TV and appliances

-Fresh smell (not the smell of cleaning products), which hopefully means non-toxic cleaning products and HVAC filters changed appropriately

-Houseplant to help clean indoor air

-Washable glasses and cups

-Painted walls (with no-or low-VOC paint) rather than vinyl wall coverings that can encourage mold and mildew

-Recycled bathroom paper products

-Ceiling fan

-Newspaper on request only