More travelers than ever seem to want to stay in hotels that keep the environment in mind. Although many hotel chains have taken steps toward reducing their impact on the planet, there are a few that stand out above the rest. Check out these three hotel chains to see how they pursue green initiatives and hold their properties accountable for sustainability improvements.
Wyndham Hotels’ Constant Green Improvements
Many Wyndham hotels are located near picturesque natural destinations, from pristine beaches teeming with tropical fish to Rocky Mountain backdrops perfect for hiking. It only makes sense that the hotel chain would want to establish clean initiatives to preserve these locations with for generations to come.
All Wyndham resorts commit to completing landscaping and watering between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. in order to reduce evaporation. Inside the properties, Wyndham staff members use environmentally friendly cleaners and tissues. The hotel group has also replaced outdated faucets and lightbulbs with low-flow and low-energy options in every room. Even the uniforms for Wyndham staff members are eco-friendly, made with recycled plastics that don’t require professional laundering — resulting in substantial money and water savings.
Days Inn Joins the Green Key Eco-Rating Program
Days Inn has been committed to environmental improvements for more than a decade. It was the first mid-range hotel chain to participate in the HAC Green Key Eco-Rating Program organized by the Hotel Association of Canada. To do this, Days Inn upgraded all 87 of its Canadian locations to meet eco-friendly standards. The hotel group approached this in a twofold manner by reducing energy waste and output and maximizing the efficiency tied to existing standards.
Participating hotels receive a key rating based on their efforts, from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most eco-friendly. Most Days Inn locations were given a rating of 2 or 3 when they entered the program, which gave Days Inn the information it needed to improve its rating through eco-friendly upgrades.
Starwood Makes a Green Commitment
Starwood Hotels and Resorts has built many of its resorts from the ground up with green design in mind. Some of the group’s hotels have 100 percent recycled carpeting, recycling bins in the guest rooms, and saline pools to reduce chlorine usage. All of Starwood’s cleaning supplies and tools are also eco-friendly, helping reduce the facilities’ chemical impact.
In addition to these existing conservation efforts, Starwood plans to reduce energy consumption by 30 percent and water consumption by 20 percent by the year 2020. To accomplish this, the hotel group has identified six key areas for improvement, from facilities to general operations. Starwood continues building long-term projects to hit these goals.
When left unchecked, hotels can become massive consumers of water and energy while generating excessive amounts of waste from guests, events, and daily operations. It’s exciting to see so many companies working together to save the environment and keep these destinations as beautiful as they have always been.
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