| A green lifestyle does not have to be abandoned | | | | abide by their energy and cost saving measures. |
| just because you leave home. If you are you planning | | | | Many hotels and motels even put suggestion cards in |
| a trip, whether it is a trip for business or pleasure, | | | | the rooms for their guests to fill out with suggestions |
| you can continue to maintain your green lifestyle with | | | | of other measures that can be implemented. Some |
| a little research and planning. Hotels are increasingly | | | | of the best ideas came right from their consumers. |
| focusing on being environmentally friendly. Many | | | | If a hotel is a popular spot for banquets and |
| hotels that want to earn the designation of "Being | | | | meetings, changes as simple as using pourers for |
| Green" do all they can to recycle, reuse and reduce. | | | | sugar and pitchers for cream have been able to cut |
| Hotels commonly request that you reuse your towels | | | | down on the waste of individually wrapped |
| rather than having them laundered every day. This | | | | sweeteners and individual cups of cream. There is |
| has been common in hotels throughout Europe for | | | | also less left over to add to the unused, |
| two decades, but it is now increasingly common in | | | | end-of-the-day waste. Some facilities have gone so |
| the United State as well. There are programs in some | | | | far as to place notices on tables in meeting rooms |
| hotels that have bins for recycling glass, plastic, | | | | and some restaurants to advise customers that |
| aluminum and newspapers. These recycling | | | | water will be poured upon request. |
| receptacles are typically set up for easy access by | | | | There are many ways hotels are creating a more |
| both the guests and the hotel employees. Some | | | | environmentally friendly location that most guests will |
| hotels and motels even provide bags in your room | | | | never see. There are water-saving devices that will |
| for collecting recyclable materials, including | | | | save the water that is flushed by about 75%, never |
| newspapers and paper, bottles, cans, and the like. | | | | affecting the flush in any way, but making quite a |
| Similarly, even bedding does not need to be changed | | | | difference with the utility costs. Devices such as the |
| every day if you are staying multiple nights. Of | | | | toilet tank fill diverter and water-restricting shower |
| course, your bed will be made is you wish, but newly | | | | heads that cut down on the water flow will not be |
| laundered sheets will only be put on if you request it. | | | | noticed by the guests, but they make a big impact |
| Another more recent innovation are key cards that | | | | on the environment. |
| control the power to the hotel room. Once in your | | | | Hospitality venues that are using these kinds of |
| room, your key card is inserted into a slot that | | | | measures to cut back on our waste and are |
| activates the electricity to the room. Only when you | | | | environmentally conscientious should be the places |
| are in the room and have your key card inserted are | | | | we choose to stay when we travel. If we, as |
| you able to turn on the lights and operate the | | | | concerned consumers, focus on patronizing hotels, |
| television. Happily, the electrical outlets still function | | | | motels and even bed and breakfasts that recycle, |
| and you can recharge your computer or DVD player | | | | reuse and reduce waste, we will encourage faster |
| even when you are away from your room. | | | | changes toward greener living throughout the |
| Hotels that have "gone green" are finding that more | | | | industry. It is now easier to exercise your choice |
| than 70% of their customers approve of efforts to | | | | about living a green lifestyle even when you are |
| recycle and save energy and water, and they will | | | | away from home. |