The Green Hotel Association- www.greenhotels.com; finding green hotels- www.istaygreen.org and information about green hotels- www.greenlodgingnews.com were all useful in my research. “Green hotels are environmentally-friendly properties whose managers are eager to institute programs that save water, energy and reduce solid waste- while saving money- to help PROTECT OUR ONE AND ONLY EARTH. Being green goes directly to a higher long-term value of ones property. Being green goes directly to the front doors which opens wide to bring guests back again and again. Being green goes directly to keeping staff long-term because management clearly cares for their health and well being. Fluorescent bulbs, ceiling fans, linen cards, lights off cards, motion sensors for public rest rooms, meeting rooms and exercise rooms all help reduce energy bills. Low-flow showerheads and toilets, serving water on request only in restaurants, waterless urinals all reduce water bills. Recycling and avoiding wastefully packaged products can reduce waste hauling. Minimal wrapping of delivery items and delivering products one day and picking up the packaging material the next day cuts expenses. Being green means guests, staff and management are healthier. When odors, fumes, soot and residues of toxic, poisonous chemicals are not in the air, on the food or on anything we touch, we are not absorbing or breathing them. Green properties will demand a higher price. The Green Hotel Association brings together hotels interested in environmental issues and they research environmentally-friendly energy and water-saving products and choose the best for their members.”

Lapa  Rios Ecolodge is the first Costa Rican hotel to earn a “five leaves” rating in sustainability. This 16-bungalow ecolodge has conserved over 1,000 acres of rain forest. Environmental education is fundamental to the 50-plus staff members and they have funded the local primary school as well as using biodiesel-powered electricity. www.laparios.com

These are only a small sampling of the responses I received. I know there are thousands of other examples out there. But, this piece has come to an end. I have given websites after each example for you to read more about the green effort in hotels and resorts.

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