11 Minimum Guidelines for Going Green
The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA) publishes a list of eleven guidelines to help member properties become more eco-friendly.
- Each hotel should form an Environmental Committee that is responsible for developing an Environmental Green Plan for energy, water, and solid waste use.
- Manage your hotel’s environmental performance by monitoring the electric, gas, water, and waste usage information on a monthly and annual basis. Review with key personnel.
- Replace incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps wherever possible.
- Install digital thermostats in guestrooms and throughout the hotel.
- Implement a towel and/or linen reuse program.
- Install 2.5-gallons per minute showerheads or less in all guestroom baths and any employee shower areas.
- Install 1.6-gallon toilets in all guestrooms.
- Implement a recycling program --including public spaces -- to the full extent available in your municipality; document your efforts.
- Implement a recycling program for hazardous materials found in fluorescent bulbs, batteries, and lighting ballasts through licensed service providers.
- Purchase Energy Star labeled appliances and equipment.
- All office paper products should have 20% or more post consumer recycled content.