Environmentally-friendly Practices Set Green Hotels Apart

Seven hotels recently received Delaware Green Lodging certification for implementing basic green lodging practices that conserve natural resources, save money and enhance their marketing potentials as environmentally-responsible businesses. The announcement, which brings the total number of Green Lodging Hotels in Delaware to twelve, was made by program partners – the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Delaware Hotel and Lodging Association.

“Green hotels have responded to consumer demands by changing to more environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices,” said Crystal Nagyiski, Delaware Green Lodging program manager. “By incorporating green practices in the way they do business, green hotels have set themselves apart from the competition.”

The seven hotels recognized were: Quality Inn & Suites, New Castle; Holiday Inn Express, Bethany Beach and Rehoboth Beach; the Atlantis Inn, Rehoboth Beach; Embassy Suites, Newark; the Awaken Inn, Millsboro; and The Biden Environmental Training Center, Lewes. To qualify for the program, the hotels implemented five basic green lodging practices – recycling, water conservation, optional linen service, energy conservation and a “green events” package.

DNREC’s website includes an overview of the Delaware Green Lodging program, the checklist businesses need to complete to qualify and other information. A list of participating businesses and environmentally-friendly practices implemented is also included. Visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/p2/Pages/GreenLodging.aspx.

The Delaware Green Lodging Program is a voluntary, self-certifying program that encourages hotels, resorts and other hospitality facilities to understand their impacts to the environment and implement pollution prevention practices. Facilities that meet the requirements receive a certificate and window decals and can display the Delaware Green Lodging logo on marketing materials. In addition, Green
Lodging hotels are listed on the program website and are eligible to participate in grant opportunities.

For more information on the Green Lodging or other Pollution Prevention programs, contact Crystal Nagyiski at (302) 739-9072 or crystal.nagyiski@state.de.us.

The first thing to do if you are concerned about helping the environment is think about where your food comes from – and I mean that in more than one sense. If you shop in supermarkets, for example, you should take a close look at the packaging on what you’re buying. Firstly, how much packaging is there? Often supermarkets will package goods in lots of plastic wrapping – how often, for example, do you see a packet of tomatoes on a plastic tray, wrapped around with a few feet of cling film? This is wholly unnecessary, takes up space, uses energy and has very little practical benefit.

Another consideration ought to be where in the world your food was grown. Some fruit and veg are not grown nearby and if you need to buy – for example – a pineapple then it is hard to find locally-sourced tropical fruit if you live closer to the North Pole than the Equator. If possible, however, it is extremely beneficial to buy locally-grown fruit and veg. The reasons for this are simple. Firstly, if potatoes have just travelled two-and-a-half miles in a van, their impact on the environment is much less than if they’ve travelled from overseas by air or ship. Chances are you won’t have to pay as much for them, as well.

Buying food grown locally needn’t be any hassle. If you have a farm shop near you then why not check out their deals – the relatively low overheads these shops have enable them to keep prices low. If you don’t have a farm shop, then your local greengrocer will have a wide selection of locally-sourced fruit and veg. Next time you’re in, ask them – it’s better for you, better for your wallet and better for the planet.