QUESTIONS
Do hotels provide guests the opportunity to recycle water
bottles, newspapers and batteries with the assurance that these
items are processed in an ethical manner?
Do hotels tell clients of water shortages and provide suggestions
on water conservation?
BACKGROUND
Entrepreneuring hoteliers have implemented energy conservation,
waste recycling, land conservation programs around the world.
Green, eco-friendly hotels have boomed in the past two decades.
And many of these hotels have centers for innovative design.
Ecuador's Alandaluz
was created in the early 1990s as a center for environmental
education. Built with local materials it became a showcase of
green building and inspired other hotels, including the Black
Sheep Inn.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
For hotels and restaurants interested in greening their operations,
we provide the following tips.
HOTELS
Use proper signage.
Help travelers learn the history of your hotel AND your community.
Allow your guests to choose whether they need new towels and
sheets.
Replace individual soaps and shampoos with containers that
can be replaced in bulk.
Share information about local environmental attractions, bioregional
news and local environmental groups.
Use biodegradable soaps and detergents.
Offer green cleaning services.
Provide public recycling
bins -- and make sure that administrative offices take the lead!
RESTAURANTS
Use proper signage.
Let diners know what menu items are local and which items are
produced in an eco-friendly manner.
Separate organic and non-organic waste and recycle your compost.
Provide information about local environmental attractions,
bioregional news and local environmental groups.
Recycle paper
TRAVELERS
Patronize the services which are eco- and people-friendly.
Let others know about your experiences.
WISH LIST
Here's what we would like to see ... a hotels that provide
a place for travelers to deposit used batteries. It's a small
step, but one that can raise environmental awareness and keep
polluting batteries out of the trash!
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