Hotel Moment

Are you doing some traveling this summer? Are you concerned about the hotels and motels you stay in as far as energy and the environment are concerned?

Some companies have been suggesting reuse of towels for some time and, of course, they usually have reminders to turn off lights and air/heat.

One hotel to be opened in San Francisco this month is claiming to be the greenest in the country. They are going beyond recycling and will be the first to be certified by a new standard of rating for green buildings.

They are using maple from nonvirgin forests for furniture and flooring. Their carpeting gives off few of the toxic gases others do, and the guest rooms have a slot inside the front door for your keycard to turn on lights/heat. When you take the keycard out on leaving, systems all turn off. They are looking into organic linens and they say the cost of a room will stay the same because, although the price of organic coffee may be high, the energy control system will save money.

So, when you travel, ask the hotel management if they are on the green bandwagon. Suggest they not change your sheets or towels every day, and that they look for other ways they can conserve energy.