Green Hotels Association

Houston, Texas; January 10, 2006: Hear this! Environmentalism and good health are VERY connected. Very few people realize how important the connection is between our health and environmentalism. Everything we do every day affects our health and the health of others.

+ If we are eating fruits, vegetables, meat and fish items that have not been treated with poisons and toxics, we are not ingesting the residues of those toxins.

+ If we are not using toxic cleaning products, we are not breathing toxic droplets and fumes.

+ If we are spraying any cleaning product INTO a cleaning cloth and not into the air, we are not breathing those fumes and droplets.

+ If we are not using toxic cleaning products such as bleach, ammonia and alcohol, we are not sending toxic waste downstream to our rivers, lakes and oceans, so we are not harming fish and wildlife that we may want to eat.

+ If we are using less energy because we are using fluorescent light bulbs, utility plants burn less coal so we are breathing cleaner air.

+ If our floors are covered with ceramic tile, linoleum, wood, etc. instead of carpet, there is less or no offgassing and the air we breathe is cleaner.

+ If we are not using carpet in our homes and businesses, dust is not collected in the carpet, and the air we breathe is cleaner.

+ If we vacuum insect pests and use sticky traps for mice, etc. instead of toxic pesticides, poisons and their residue are not in our lives.

+ If we replace mowed areas with ground cover, lawnmower and leafblower exhaust fumes in our air will be reduced.

+ If we use vinegar, salt or boiling water to kill weeds growing through our walkways or driveways, we are not pouring toxic weed killers into our soil which can leach down to and contaminate our fresh water aquifers.

+ If we sweep with a broom (NEVER a water hose), we are protecting our fresh water resources.

+ If we are purchasing local food products, those products are not being shipped thousands of miles spouting truck, train and airplane diesel exhaust fumes the whole way.

+ If HVAC filters are kept clean by regular replacement, less energy is being used and less dust is in our lungs.

+ If we’re cooking with stainless steel, cast iron or glass pots and pans, we are not consuming chemically-devised non-stick coatings such as Teflon (an ingredient of which is toxic).

+ If we are landscaping with native grasses, plants and vegetation that need less water, we are conserving fresh water for future generations.

+ If we do our best to not set fire to anything (don’t burn trash, don’t light candles, don’t burn firewood, don’t set off fireworks, put out candles in restaurants), we and everyone around won’t be breathing in toxic fumes and soot.

Further information of “Green” Hotels Association® and its elite corps of hoteliers interested in protecting our environment may be found at www.greenhotels.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Patricia Griffin, 713/789-8889, green@greenhotels.com

Houston, Texas; November 9, 2005: “Green” Hotels Association® has been successful in providing lodging accommodations with information, techniques, ideas and products to help save water, save energy and reduce solid waste since 1993. For properties or individuals not yet involved in a conservation program which saves money and helps protect our environment, GHA offers a Quick Start Environmental Program:

$ Check all tub/showers for water pouring from tub spout when shower is on (especially older fixtures)

$ Provide towel and sheet cards which ask guests to consider reusing towels and not have sheets changed every day

$ Inventory all cleaning products and send all toxics to appropriate disposal entity

$ NEVER buy anything that says “wear rubber gloves” or “use eye protection”

$ Use this general cleaning solution - 50% water, 50% vinegar, few drops liquid kitchen soap

$ Remove all treated wood because the arsenic residue seeps into the ground and send to appropriate disposal entity

$ Schedule PTAC filter changes and be sure inside of PTACs are kept thoroughly clean

$ Dispose of all fluorescent tubes or bulbs properly because they contain mercury

GHA President and Founder Patricia Griffin says, “Very few guests come to a hotel for the hotel itself. Guests come to hotels because of what is nearby, whether it’s a beach, golfing, skiing, scenery, history, cultural events, nature-based events, etc. So, hoteliers must care for and protect the reason their guests come.” That can be accomplished through the hundreds, if not thousands, of ideas, techniques and options provided with “Green” Hotels Association’s membership.

Further information of “Green” Hotels Association® and its elite corps of hoteliers interested in protecting the environment may be found at www.greenhotels.com or by calling 713/789-8889.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Patricia Griffin, 713/789-8889, green@greenhotels.com

Houston, Texas; August 9, 2005: “Green” Hotels Association® has managed to move the massive hospitality industry toward environmentalism by making guests aware of the impact and empowering them to make a choice. GHA has presented enough money-saving ideas to hoteliers to prove that conservation saves money. GHA has proven to the hospitality industry that conservation is wanted and expected by hotel guests.

Through towel and sheet cards and membership offered since 1993, GHA has managed to turn the hospitality industry toward effective and important changes in conserving water, conserving energy and reducing solid waste. Linen cards are now pervasive throughout the hospitality industry, and virtually no guest is surprised to learn of such a program during a hotel stay.

“Hotels have benefited enormously via reducing use of water, detergent, energy, labor, wear and tear on linens and equipment,” says GHA President and Founder Patricia Griffin, “and praise from guests, clients and the media has been almost ecstatic.”

Jeff Hiatt (jhiatt@prosci.com), author of “Change Management: the people side of change," is including GHA as a case study in his next book on management. He says, “GHA's success demonstrates what one person can do when they are passionate about change and use good techniques to manage that change. Prior to 1993 you rarely saw the cards suggesting that hotel guests have a choice about towel reuse. Now, some 12 years later, it is rare that you do not see these conservation reminders in nearly every hotel. What a win-win for both the hotel and the environment!"

Literally every hotel guest now expects to be offered a linen program during hotel stays because of GHA’s continued encouragement and cheering for 12+ years. Any hotel not offering such a program is taking a chance that their lack may be found offensive to all environment, nature, and health-interested and oriented individuals and groups.

Patricia continues, “Very few guests come to a hotel for the hotel itself. Guests come to hotels because of what is nearby, whether it’s a beach, golfing, skiing, scenery, history, cultural events, nature-based events, etc. So, hoteliers must care for and protect the reason their guests come.” That can be accomplished through the hundreds, if not thousands, of ideas, techniques and options provided with “Green” Hotels Association’s membership.

Further information of “Green” Hotels Association® and its elite corps of hoteliers interested in protecting the environment may be found at www.greenhotels.com or by calling 713/789-8889.

“GREEN” HOTELS ASSOCIATION® SAYS,
“HOTELS CAN SAVE OVER $6.50 A DAY PER OCCUPIED GUESTROOM AND HELP PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT.”

September 25, 2002, Houston, Texas – Hotels can save over $6.50 a day per occupied room* on laundry by using a simple towel-rack hanger and sheet-changing card being offered by the “Green” Hotels Association®. The towel-rack hanger encourages guests to use towels more than once, and says “Please decide for yourself. Towels on the rack mean ‘I'll use it again.’ Towels on the floor or in the tub mean ‘please exchange.’” The sheet-changing card says, “Sheets are customarily changed daily, but if you feel that this is unnecessary, leave this card on your pillow in the morning, and your sheets will not be changed that day.”

“Asking guests to consider using linens more than once is a win, win, win situation for hotels,” says Cornell University Hotel Management Professor Robert Chase. “The first win is an economic one—savings on water, electricity and gas, detergents, toweling, sheets and labor. The second win is a laudable one—taking a commendable and praiseworthy step on the part of the hotel. The third win is for our environment—really doing something to save our planet.”

“This simple recycled-paper towel-rack hanger and sheet card will save money, tons of detergent, millions of gallons of water, energy, labor, wear and tear on linens, wear and tear on equipment, as well as our environment,” says Patricia Griffin, President of “Green” Hotels Association®.” She continues, “Guests as well as hotel management are very enthusiastic about our linen program.”

Hotels are extremely large-volume users of water, detergent, cleansers and other chemicals that can be detrimental to our environment, and hotel managers must be aware of the hotel’s impact on our life resources. Hotel managers must care for and protect the reason their guests come whether it’s a beach, lake, historic district, etc. Hotel managers who ask guests to participate in the hotel’s environmental programs find that guests are pleased and enthusiastic to help protect the beautiful destinations we all love to visit.

Almost none of us wash towels after one use or change sheets every day at home, and guests understand how frivolous a waste it is at a hotel. More hotels should institute a linen program because guests appreciate the hotel being environmentally aware. Hotels have been participating in GHA’s towel and sheet program for over nine years—since 1993, and many properties report 70% to 90% guest participation. An early user of our cards, the Sheraton Rancho Cordova, reported that they were saving 5% on utilities alone.

The towel and sheet cards are available with one side in English and the other with translations into Spanish, French, German and Japanese. A “Third Day” sheet card is available for hotels whose guests’ usual stay is 4 to 7 days. Customized versions, other languages and quantity prices are available on request.

Free samples of the cards are available from “Green” Hotels Association®, P. O. Box 420212, Houston, TX 77242-0212, Fax 713/789-9786, Voice 713/789-8889, www.greenhotels.com or green@greenhotels.com. The laminated towel-rack hanger is available for $45/100 or $185/500. The laminated sheet-changing card is available for $33/100 or $135/500. Save money, laundry expenses, and become GREEN by placing these towel rack hangers and sheet changing cards in your guestrooms.

* National Association of Institutional Linen Management’s Membership Survey 2000-2001

Houston, January 5, 2002 - The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), the world's largest, most prestigious association of travel professionals, presented its celebated Environmental Award for 2001 to Patricia Griffin, President, "Green" Hotels Association® at ASTA's World Travel Congress in New York City November 6.

Patricia, accepting the award, said, ""Green" Hotels Association® is extremely honored and priviledged to be chosen to receive ASTA's distinguished award. GHA looks forward to working with ASTA's 26,000 members worldwide in educating the travel industry and the public regarding the importance of protecting the fabulous destinations we all love to visit." ASTA's prestigious ecology-based annual award is extremely important in encouraging the travel industry to work harder at protecting our environment. The award honors GHA and its members and encourages hoteliers to do more environmentally.

• towel and sheet cards which ask guests to reuse towels and not have sheets changed daily
• catalog of environmental products which offers low-flow aerators, showerheads, recycling baskets, books, etc.
• professional association which provides information and recognition to their elite corps of green hoteliers
• 200+ members representing 18,500+ guestrooms
• "Guidelines and Ideas", a 110+ page booklet containing a cornucopia of smart conservation ideas and techniques
• member newsletter packed with savvy, practical greening information

Lasting GHA contributions include:
• elevating environmentalism in the hospitality industry worldwide since 1993
• creating awareness that hotel guests can help protect beautiful destinations
• partnering with travel agents, tour guides, government agencies and meeting and convention planners in making ecologically-positive choices
• serving Mother Earth by saving millions of gallons of water, lowering energy usage and reducing solid waste through our member and customer hotels
The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents and its affiliate organizations is to enhance the professionalism and profitability of members worldwide through effective representation in industry and government affairs, education and training, and by identifying and meeting the needs of the traveling public. The Society is the world's largest and most influential travel trade association with over 26,000 members in more than 170 countries.

“Green” Hotels Association® encourages, supports and promotes ecological consciousness in the hospitality industry through its trade association and its Catalog of Environmental Products for the Lodging Industry>/i>. “Because general managers, chief engineers and executive housekeepers generally do not have time to seek out all the ideas and suggestions for conserving water and energy and reducing solid waste, “Green” Hotels Association® has devoted itself to that task,” said Griffin.

For further information on “Green” Hotels Association® and its environmental program or a list of its members, fax 713/789-9786, call 713/789-8889, or visit www.greenhotels.com.

“GREEN” HOTELS REPORT THEY ARE BETTER PREPARED FOR ECONOMIC DOWNTURN BECAUSE OF CONSERVATION MEASURES

HOUSTON - November 19, 2001 - With the hospitality industry searching for ways to reduce overhead in the face of falling occupancy and high energy costs, hoteliers who have adopted “green” practices are finding their conservation measures have reduced the negative impact of the latest economic downturn.

“Our member hotels are reporting the impact of reduced revenues has been less severe because of the hundreds of conservation measures they have initiated,” said Patricia Griffin, president of the “Green” Hotels Association®. “While ‘green’ hoteliers know firsthand that conservation saves money and conserves natural resources, their planning has better prepared them to weather this economic downturn.”

The first goal of all GHA member hotels is to save water, save energy and reduce solid waste, said Griffin. Examples include providing drinking water upon request only and installing new HVAC systems and other equipment such as low-flow shower heads and compost systems. “‘Green’ Hotels Association® advocates the greening of the lodging industry,” said Griffin. Member hotels use the hundreds of ideas, options and techniques in the organization’s 80+ page Member Guidelines and Ideas and its bi-monthly newsletter, Greening News, to save thousands of dollars each year.

Some “Green” Hotels Association® member conservation success stories include:

Installing low-flow shower heads and using ink refill kits. Member Scott Crook of the Humuya Inn in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, saved more than $200 the first month with these two practices.

Reusing towels and sheets for guests staying multiple nights. Roger and Genna Wangsness of the Inn at Folkston in Folkston, GA report more time to take care of other aspects of the business since they have less laundry.

Lake Powell Resorts’ conservation has resulted in solid waste reduced by 24 tons, water use lessened by 1,215,780 gallons and electricity use reduced by 500,000 kilowatts, according to member Diana Maris.

Alan and Madeleine Ernst of Aurum Lodge in Alberta, Canada produce 50-90 percent of their electricity by solar and wind power and 90-100 of heat (ambient and water heating) from solar energy and wood, resulting in 90 percent reduction in fossil fuel use.

Member Grand Canyon National Park Lodges composts more than 600 cubic yards of material each year, uses non-toxic chemicals in transportation, cleaning and food service and encourages vendors to eliminate “unfriendly” products such as expanded polystyrene.

Yellowstone National Park Lodges recycled more than 361 tons of materials during 2000 and purchases 100 percent post-consumer paper products including all toilet tissue for more than 2,200 guestrooms, towels for dispensers and napkins in employee dining areas.

Hotel Mocking Bird co-managers Barbara Walker and Shireen Aga indicate their Jamaican hotel’s environmental program has generated goodwill within the community and has resulted in a significant number of referrals from taxi drivers and shopkeepers.

“Green” Hotels Association® encourages, supports and promotes ecological consciousness in the hospitality industry through its trade association and its Catalog of Environmental Products for the Lodging Industry. “Because general managers, chief engineers and executive housekeepers generally do not have time to seek out all the ideas and suggestions for conserving water and energy and reducing solid waste, “Green” Hotels Association® has devoted itself to that task,” said Griffin.

Cost of membership is $1 per guestroom per year with a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $750. “Green” Hotels Association® guarantees that members will save more money than the membership costs by using its Member Guidelines and Ideas. GHA also works at bringing new business to member hotels' doors through media attention, mailed and faxed listings and a web site listing.

For further information on “Green” Hotels Association® and its environmental program or a list of its members, fax 713/789-9786, call 713/789-8889, or visit www.greenhotels.com.

April 10, 2000, Houston, Texas - Thousands of tons of slightly-used bar soap is discarded each day by hotels around the world. A usable product is being wasted and filling our already burdened landfills. "Green" Hotels Association® suggests that hotel guests take the partially-used soap home to use it themselves.

Bar soap is one amenity offered by hotels that is in actuality all but mandatory. The reason that hotels feel they must offer bar soaps is because travel associations such as AAA and Mobil set requirements for hotels listed in their guidebooks. The hotels want the business that the guidebooks bring, so they offer bar soap and other amenities as required for the diamond or star level at which they operate. For instance, if a hotel chooses to reach AAA's Three Diamond level, they must offer "two bars of soap greater than 3/4 oz." in each guest bath.

Any used bars of soap are, unfortunately, usually discarded by the housekeeper. Every conceivable idea has been batted about as to how to make use of these discards. Some of the ideas for making use of used bars of soap include making it into liquid soap by chopping it or flaking it and soaking in water. The soap can also be given to homeless shelters, or carried to less fortunate countries to be given away. The bars can be used in crafts projects to make carvings. However, none of these ideas make use of more than a tiny percentage of the tons of bar soap discarded every day.

The simplest, most obvious answer to this problem has clearly been overlooked. Hotels should ask their guests to take the partially used soap home.

"Green" Hotels Association® suggests that hotels post a sign saying "Save the Wrapper." The card should inform the guest of the waste, and ask them to take the soap home in the wrapper in which it came and use it.

"Green" Hotels Association® suggests that soap manufacturers print on the wrapper "Save the Wrapper So You Can Take the Soap Home." "Green" Hotels Association® suggests that soap manufacturers imprint the hotel soap bars with "Take Me Home and Use Me."

Help stop the waste. Help save our one and only Earth and all our valuable resources. Patronize "Green" Hotels Association® member hotels and participate in their environmental programs.

"Green" Hotels Association® (encourages, supports and promotes ecological consciousness in the hospitality industry through its trade association and its "Catalog of Environmental Products for the Lodging Industry". Because general managers, chief engineers and executive housekeepers generally do not have time to seek out all the ideas and suggestions for conserving water and energy and reducing solid waste, "Green" Hotels Association® (has devoted itself to that task.

For further information on "Green" Hotels Association® (and its environmental program or a list of its members, call 713/789-8889, fax 713/789-9786 or visit www.greenhotels.com.

February 7, 2000, Houston, Texas - 20+ lodging properties located in America's most awesome, breathtaking national and state parks have joined the elite corps of "Green" Hotels Association® members. All the resorts, hotels and lodging properties in Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Ohio State Park Resorts & Conference Centers and North Georgia State Parks and Conference Centers and others managed by Amfac Parks & Resorts have recently joined "Green" Hotels Association®.

Commitment by the management of these fabulous properties and their staff for "greening" these properties is the result of their enthusiasm for learning and instituting important, new ways to protect and preserve these locations for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.

Located in national and state parks stretching through nine states (Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Utah and Wyoming) and encompassing 37 lodging properties with 5,723 guestrooms, many of these properties are popular throughout the year.

Amfac is the largest park-management company in the US, and employs approximately 7,200 people during the peak season. Their mission is to be recognized as the leader in park and resort hospitality, and they want guests to be assured of professionally-managed hotels. With continued emphasis on environmentally-friendly tourism, Amfac's environmental preservation and recycling programs at national parks have achieved widespread acclaim. More than 341 tons was recycled at Yellowstone in 1997, including aluminum, glass, cardboard, newspaper, computer paper, office paper and magazines. The Lied Conference Center uses bio-mass, a renewable fuel source, to generate heat, cooling and hot water.

With over 5,700 rooms committed, these properties normally accommodate hundreds of thousands of guests each year. Over 2,100 guestrooms in 9 locations at Yellowstone National Park and over 1,100 guestrooms at 9 sites in Grand Canyon National Park are included in the new membership. When the environmental program is in place, these guests will be able to participate which will help care for and protect these fabulous destinations. The overall results are expected to be far-reaching because guests, employees and vendor's representatives will take new "green" ideas to their homes, businesses and communities.

"Green" Hotels Association® encourages all lodging guests to participate in environmental programs. Guest participation can mean not having towels and sheets changed every day. Guest participation can mean participating in lodging recycling programs. Guest participation can mean enjoying spectacular destinations while helping to protect them "by taking nothing but photographs, and by leaving nothing but footprints".

Amfac Parks and Resorts' Judi Lages, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, stated, "We are reaching out to our guests, employees and vendors with our environmental program to help safeguard and preserve these majestic locations for future generations' enjoyment."

"Green" Hotels Association® President, Patricia Griffin, says, "GHA is proud and pleased to have this extraordinary and impressive group of properties in locations of unique natural grandeur join our association. Their decision to join will result in clearer water, cleaner air and less litter as well as reduced use of our natural resources at these pristine locations."

The first goal of all GHA member hotels is to save water, save energy and reduce solid waste. Then, we work in every other area of the hotel and its setting to care for and protect the environment. "From adding "drinking water served on request only" to the menu to installing new HVAC systems, and every measure in between, "Green" Hotels Association® advocates the greening of the lodging industry," says President Patricia Griffin.

"Green" Hotels Association® encourages, supports and promotes ecological consciousness in the hospitality industry through its trade association and its "Catalog of Environmental Products for the Lodging Industry". Because general managers, chief engineers and executive housekeepers generally do not have time to seek out all the ideas and suggestions for conserving water and energy and reducing solid waste, "Green" Hotels Association® has devoted itself to that task.

For further information on "Green" Hotels Association® and its environmental program or a list of its members, fax 713/789-9786, call 713/789-8889, or visit www.greenhotels.com.

May 26, 1998, Houston, Texas - "Green" Hotels Association® is encouraging all travelers to green up their travel. The U. S. Travel Data Center estimates that 43 million US travelers are "ecologically concerned." These travelers will be especially interested, but all travelers can take part in this important mission(the greening of the travel industry-whether away for business or pleasure.

Managers of all businesses react and respond to requests of guests, customers and clients who voice their concerns. So, when you write a note or speak directly to management regarding our environment, you are casting a vote. You can write a note to the general manager of the hotel, to the captain of the airplane and to the manager of a tour company or cruise line with compliments or comments regarding their green program. Thank them for their green program if they have one. Or, ask why they don't have a green program. As a paying customer, it is important that you let them know that you want them to lower water and energy usage and reduce solid waste-and that you want to participate.

"Encourage businesses to think as you do by choosing where to spend your travel dollars. Spend your dollars with travel businesses that are interested in protecting the beautiful destinations we all love to visit", suggests President Patricia Griffin.

Hotels and airlines which have an environmental agenda deserve your patronization. Book your guestrooms and meeting rooms with hotels that are clearly interested in protecting our environment, and let management know that's why you've chosen their hotel. "Green" Hotels Association® member hotels are encouraged to implement water-saving measures, execute energy-saving techniques and reduce solid waste. Rather than putting all these measures into effect "behind the doors", GHA encourages all lodging accommodations to get guests and clients involved. Hotels can offer towel and sheet-changing options, soap and shampoo dispensers, guestroom recycling baskets and reduced food-related waste. Almost all guests realize that we need to help protect our favorite destinations. Those guests are more than willing to participate in a hotel's green program. Choose "green" hotels by calling or faxing "Green" Hotels Association® for a list of members. Or, check out GHA's Internet site-www.greenhotels.com.

"Further ideas for greener individual travel", says Patricia Griffin, "include: during your hotel stay, let management know that it is not necessary to change your towels and sheets every day. When you leave the room, turn off the AC/heat, lights and TV. Leave the little bottles of shampoo, if you don't use them. Avoid room service."

Book flights with airlines that recycle the waste created when serving food and beverages to passengers. British Airways, for instance, has a very strong environmental agenda. Southwest Airlines recycles all cabin waste, and was the first to offer electronic ticketing systemwide.

Use the hotel van instead of renting a car. Use public transportation in your destination city.

Before you leave home, you can take the first steps to green up your travel by turning down the thermostat on your hot water heater, adjusting your AC/heat thermostat and stopping your newspaper.

You can help protect the beautiful business and pleasure destinations we all love to visit. You can help protect Mother Earth. You can help protect our environment for future generations. For a free list of "green" ideas for travelers or a free list of member hotels, contact "Green" Hotels Association® by writing to P. O. Box 420212, Houston, TX 77242-0212, faxing 713/789-9786 or calling 713/789-8889.

Turn water off at outside connection (to prevent flooding should a pipe break while you're gone). When you return, turn on the water slowly and check for problems.

Appliances, such as TVs and cable converter boxes, should be unplugged because they can draw or "leak" as much as 40 watts per hour even when they're off.

Turn icemaker off (lift wire) to prevent flooding should it break while you're away.

Purchase electronic-tickets for airline travel whenever possible. Less waste. If paper tickets are lost, they may cost $75-100 to have replaced.

Use the hotel van instead of renting a car. Use the bus or local transit system. Share taxis. Less pollution, and you can leave the driving to others.

If you're driving, turn your motor off when idling. Encourage tour/bus drivers to turn the motor off when idling.

Participate in hotel linen programs, or let the hotel know that it's not necessary to change your sheets and towels every day.

To keep track of which towel belongs to which family member, pack a handful of safety pins and small colored beads. Attach a pin and bead to each towel, using a designated color for each family member. Remove the pins before checkout.

When you leave your hotel room, turn off the AC/heat, lights, TV and radio. Close the drapes.

Participate in hotel recycling programs by placing recyclables in appropriate bins.

Carry a dry cleaning or grocery bag with you in which to carry dirty laundry home.

Pack a permanent marker and write each person's name on the cups in the hotel bathroom. It's also handy for writing names on water bottles and lots of other things.

Let hotel management know, by speaking directly to management or writing them a note, that you want them to conserve and that you want to participate.

Patronize hotels, airlines, tour operators who support "greening" programs. (contact "Green" Hotels Association® at 713/789-8889 or go to their web site for a current listing of hotel members (www.greenhotels.com/members.htm).

Instead of leaving bathroom lights (and fans) on all night, it's wise to pack night lights for hotel stays.

If the hotel provides complimentary newspapers, pass yours on to someone else, or leave it in the lobby for another reader. Ask the hotel to see that it's recycled.

Be sure to turn off exercise equipment, sauna, whirlpool, Jacuzzi or tennis court lights when you're through.

Check out of the hotel via the hotel's electronic program available on the TV in some hotels. You can view your bill, approve it, and help reduce paperwork.

Environmental programs or events may be listed on "things to do in the area" portion of the in-house TV programming.

Pack a few plastic bags. They come in handy for saving half-eaten treats, used hotel bar soaps, keeping salt and pepper packets dry in the cooler, and many other uses.

If you commonly take home leftovers from restaurant meals, carry a container, a square of aluminum foil or waxpaper with you. You'll be responsible for putting less styrofoam into the waste stream.

Don't buy endangered species products such as tortoise shell, ivory, animal skins or feathers. Don't purchase star fish or turtle-shell related souvenirs or any creature that may have been put to death for the sake of a gift shop sale. These animals may have been killed specifically for tourist trade. Sea shells are questionable. The U. S. Customs office offers a list of items which cannot be imported or brought into the country.

Make a pledge to yourself not to maim or kill any living creature other than enemy or pest insects. Educate yourself as to which are "beneficials" and which are truly "pests."

Take only photographs. Do not take "souvenirs" from natural areas, historical areas or hotels.

Leave only footprints. Take everything out that you brought with you. No graffiti, no litter.

Pick up at least one piece of litter every day-especially at national tourist locations which are vulnerable to huge tourist populations.

Take photos with a regular camera. Disposable cameras are very wasteful and expensive.

Buy rolls of film with 36 shots rather than 12 or 24. Packaging waste is reduced, and you'll save about 40%*.

Write legibly on your film package. Kodak discards 400,000 rolls of film annually because the return address is illegible.*

Expensive cosmetic bags are unnecessary and often do not prevent or control spills. Use zippable plastic bags for cosmetics. Separate bath needs and makeup needs.

Rather than buying small size toothpaste tubes, squeeze some toothpaste into a clean contact lens case or contact lens cleaning capsule. These are also handy for carrying salves or pills. Be sure to mark appropriately.

Give yourself a pat on the back for doing all you can to help protect the beautiful destinations we all love to visit and Mother Earth!

* ULS Report, Use Less Stuff, P. O. Box 130116, Ann Arbor, MI 48113
(c) 2003 "Green" Hotels Association®

September 30, 1996, Houston, Texas - "Green" Hotels Association® is celebrating its success in filling its Charter Member posts with its first 100 hotelier members. These environmental leaders within the hospitality industry deserve to be recognized. "These leaders represent the most devoted environmental leaders in the hospitality industry, and they deserve to be honored", says Patricia Griffin, president.

Regarding GHA membership, Janet Byrd, Director of Marketing/Environmental Program at The Colony Hotel, Kennebunkport, Maine, says, "Being environmentally responsible really does increase the bottom line and guest satisfaction at knowing they are contributing to helping our planet. Business has increased 15%+ since 1994". "My favorite benefit of GHA membership is the savings we've achieved in the few months we have been members", reports Russell Hong, Sales Manager/Owner, Econo Lodge Silicon Valley Suites, Santa Clara, California.

Each member received a copy of GHA's Membership Conservation Guidelines and Ideas, a booklet filled with bulleted lists of ideas and suggestions on ways lodging accommodations can save water and energy and reduce solid waste. Guideline areas covered include employees, guestrooms, public areas, lawn and garden, pest control, restaurants, laundry, swimming pool, solid waste, composting, offices, purchasing, maintenance, meetings, new construction/refurbishing, community, periodicals and contacts. The Guidelines grow in a continuous, evolving process, so that as members renew, the list of ideas has expanded. LTC Jim Anderson is at the NATO School (SHAPE), NS(S) in Oberammergau, Germany, a GHA member where military personnel from 14 countries are trained. He says of the Guidelines, "The cross-fertilization or sharing of ideas within a specific industry has proven very beneficial in that all activities mentioned blend service, the bottom line and their environmental responsibility into a common goal".

"Specifics of accomplishments resulting from use of the Guidelines include use of towel and sheet cards which allow guests to decide when linens will be changed, using a non-toxic ionization process in a swimming pool and purchase of a mulcher to chop up all landscaping clippings. We are extremely proud of the earth-saving ideas, suggestions and tactics that our Membership Guidelines and Ideas encompass", Patricia continues.

Approximately 75% of the members are in the United States-from the Atlantic coast of Maine to the Florida Keys to California's beaches and Washington's mountain lodges. International properties are located in Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guyana, Germany and eleven islands in the Caribbean. The properties range in size from 4 guestrooms to 1,820 guestrooms.

Chains represented by "Green" Hotels Association® Charter Members include Best Western, Clarion, Colony Hotels, Comfort Inn and Suites, Days Inn, DoubleTree, Econo Lodge, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hyatt, Quality Hotels and Inns, Radisson, Sleep Inns, Super 8 Lodges, SuperClubs, TraveLodge and Wyndham. Many independent hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts have joined with GHA in their commitment to help save our planet. The first 100 Charter Member properties represent 15,338 guestrooms in 25 states of the US plus members in the Caribbean and around the world.

An up-to-date list of GHA members along with other pertinent information will soon be found on the Internet at http://www.greenhotels.com.

Cost of membership for hotels is $1 per guestroom per year, with a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $750. GHA guarantees that members will save more money than the membership costs through implementation of the ideas and suggestions offered in the Guidelines.

"Green" Hotels Association® encourages, supports and promotes ecological consciousness in the hospitality industry through its trade association and its "Catalog of Environmental Products for the Lodging Industry". "Green" Hotels Association® welcomes all hoteliers who are committed to helping the environment through reducing energy and water usage and lessening the burden on landfills through reduced solid waste. For further information, contact "Green" Hotels Association®, P. O. Box 420212, Houston, TX 77242-0212, Internet: http://www/greenhotels.com, e-mail: green@greenhotels.com, 713/789-8889, Fax 713/789-9786.

June 3, 1996, Houston, Texas - "Green" Hotels Association® is offering a free Meeting Planner's Questionnaire to all meeting planners, convention coordinators, tour guides, travel agents and individuals who are interested in helping save our planet. Anyone who is interested in our environment and spends money with hotels can do more by choosing "green" hotels for guest stays, meetings, conventions and family events.

The "Meeting Planner's Questionnaire for "Green" Lodging Establishments" asks 36 pertinent questions which will reveal the "greenness" of a hotel, lodging establishment or convention center. Areas covered by the questionnaire include recycling, purchasing of recycled or recyclable items, food and beverage service, bottle deposits, leftover food, meeting materials, guestroom amenities, guestroom linens, water and energy conservation. Each question may be answered "Yes" or "No" and examples or further information may be inserted.

"When planning meetings or conventions", "Green" Hotels Association®'s President Patricia Griffin suggests, "the questionnaire can be faxed to four or five hotels. When the planner is making a final decision between perhaps two hotels, the planner should call or fax again to ask management if there is one further "green" accomplishment the hotel will offer to obtain this business. The hotel can perhaps install low-flow aerators on one floor of rooms, add a recycling bin for aluminum by the pool or in a public area, stop using paper doilies on serving trays, delamp vending machines or even contact "Green" Hotels Association® for further information."

Any environmentally-interested group can "walk their talk" by choosing a "green" hotel for meeting and convention sites. Meeting planners heavily impact hotels' bottom lines by spending millions of dollars each year with hotels. These meeting planners can very easily and simply influence the environmental awareness of the whole lodging industry by the careful placement of their meeting dollars with hotels that are "green". Demands by environmentally-aware meeting planners will help "green" the lodging industry by making lodging management aware that conservation by hotels is required and appreciated.

Individuals interested in our environment can have an impact by choosing "green" properties when planning weddings, family reunions, church events, bar mitzvahs, association meetings, etc.

Patricia Griffin further suggests that "hoteliers use the form to their benefit in order to obtain environmental organizations' meeting and convention business. Hoteliers should fill out the form, keep it updated and make the "green" information a part of their meeting-planner package so that all environmentally-interested groups will be immediately aware of the property's greenness".

This questionnaire was adapted from one developed by the National Recycling Coalition, Alexandria, Virginia, with their generous permission.

A free "Meeting Planners' Questionnaire for "Green" Lodging Establishments" along with a list of "Green" Hotels Association® members-hoteliers who are committed to helping save our planet-may be obtained by contacting "Green" Hotels Association®.

Item/Question	Yes	No	Example(s)
Does your property regularly purchase reusable and durable products?
Does your property regularly purchase products that can be recycled?
Does your property regularly purchase recycled products?
Does your property have an in-house recycling program? If yes, what materials are collected for recycling?
Does your property have a recycling program which allows guests to participate? If yes, what materials are included?
Does your property recycle any other materials (linens, phone books, oil, pallets, etc.)?
Will your property provide recycling bins for our meeting? Circle which materials we will have recycling bins for: aluminum, glass, newspaper, white paper, plastic, steel cans
Will your property commit to seeing that the above items collected from our meeting are actually recycled?
Does your property have a contract with a recycling hauler or business?
Does your property donate, sell, or recycle old "durables" (i.e., furnishings, etc.)?
Will your food and beverage services use reusable items such as cloth, glass, ceramic, etc. rather than disposable items such as styrofoam or plastic for our meeting?
Will your property serve food buffet-style? One large plate? Without garnishes?
Will your property use cream pitchers, sugar pourers and reusable spoons rather than individual creamer and sugar packets, etc. for our meeting? Jelly servers rather than individual packets? Other?
Will your kitchen purchase fresh rather than packaged produce?
Are vegetarian or vegan menus available?
Does your property purchase and serve beverages in returnable refillable containers?
Who pays for bottle deposits-the client or the property?
Does your property donate leftover food to a local non-profit organization?
At the close of our meeting, is your property willing to distribute meeting materials and sample products left behind to a local charity that can put them to good use?
Will you provide cloth rather than disposable table drapes for display tables?
Will you provide meeting tables WITHOUT tablecloths?
Will your property use chips or coins rather than disposable paper tickets for coat checking and auto parking?
Does your property have guestroom dispensers for soap and shampoo?
Is your property willing to remove all small plastic amenity bottles from the guestrooms which our participants will occupy?
Does your property give guests a choice on having bath linens exchanged?
Does your property offer guests a choice on having bedsheets changed?
Do guestrooms have low-flow showerheads? Low-flow sink aerators?
What other water conservation measures have been taken?
What are you doing to reduce dry cleaning and laundry paraphernalia?
Does your property offer double-sided copying at a reduced rate (less than two single sheets)?
At the close of our meeting, is your property willing to distribute meeting materials and sample products left behind to a local charity that can put them to good use?
What percentage of your property's lighting is fluorescent?
What other energy conservation measures have been taken?
What other conservation measures have you incorporated?
Is your property a member of "Green" Hotels Association®?
Has your property contacted "Green" Hotels Association® (713/789-8889) for information regarding being "green"?
Is there anything further in regard to being "green" that your property will offer us?
Property Name:
Address:
Contact:
Phone:		Fax:

February 1, 1996, Houston, Texas - Earth Day '96 is coming soon-as usual, on April 22. Prepare now to celebrate by accomplishing something special for our world, other people, our communities, our properties, our employees and for guests. Here are some ideas offered by "Green" Hotels Association® to celebrate Earth Day '96:

( For Our World: Toilet Paper and Baby Birds: The Lindsay Museum in California is the largest and oldest wildlife rehabilitator in the world. They rehabilitate and release 7 to 10 thousand injured and orphaned animals each year. Laurel Anderson of The Lindsay Museum said, "When the birds are nesting, thousands of baby birds fall from their nests, and we help them through the critical period. Each baby bird is placed on a pad of wadded toilet paper in a margarine dish. The paper must be changed several times each day to keep the babies clean." The Lindsay Museum's tight finances could be spent on saving more animals if hotels would send leftover toilet paper rolls that have been removed from guest rooms. You may send leftover toilet paper to Susan Heckly, Wildlife Director, The Lindsay Museum, 1931 First Avenue, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, 510/935-1978, Fax 510/935-8015.

( For Others: Eyeglasses in Lost and Found: Eyeglasses that have been left in your Lost and Found Department too long can be used by someone else. After all reasonable efforts to return eyeglasses to their owner have been made, you can let them be used by someone else by sending the eyeglasses to New Eyes for the Needy, Inc., 549 Milburn Avenue, P. O. Box 332, Short Hills, NJ 07078.

( For Our Communities: Litter Picker Uppers: Encourage all employees to pick up just one piece of litter every day. Anyone picking up litter is not dropping it. Just imagine how clean our communities will be if we each pick up only one piece of litter every day.

( For Our Properties: WaterWiser Hotline: Questions about how to reduce water usage? whether to install 1.6 gallon toilets? how to assess a property and implement a plan to conserve water? Here's a phone number that can give you all the answers to any questions regarding water. EPA's WAVE (Water Alliance for Voluntary Efficiency) has recently funded a free water-efficiency clearinghouse. Any water questions can be directed to Waterwiser (at American Water Works), 6666 West Quincy Avenue, Denver, CO 80235, 800/559-9855, Fax 303/795-1440, Internet HTTP://WWW.WATERWISER.ORG or E-Mail BEWISER@WATERWISER.ORG.

( For Our Employees: Offer prepared foods or flowers left after a banquet or meeting to employees. Offer employees who carpool, ride a bus or a bike or walk to work an extra 4 to 8 hours of paid vacation each quarter. Allow employees to do volunteer work on 4 to 8 hours of company time each quarter. Perhaps they could wear a shirt or hat with your company logo while doing the volunteer work so that the hotel would get recognition.

( For Our Guests: Commit to Ten "Greener" Rooms in '96: Commit to making ten rooms or one floor of your property "green". Here's our suggestions for turning "green". 1. Provide towel and sheet cards for your guests so that they may decide when their linens will be changed. You'll save water, energy, labor, wear and tear on your equipment and linens, and your guests will appreciate having a choice. 2. Provide dispensers for soap and shampoo-hundreds or thousands of little plastic bottles will not go in your dumpster or into our landfills. 3. Replace your sink aerators with 1.5 or 2.5 gpm aerators, or toggle aerators. You'll reduce your water bill, and your guests will be pleased. 4. Install low-flow showerheads, i.e., 2.5 to 3.0 gpm, adjustable outside the spray, and with a white plastic case rather than metal. Again, you'll reduce water usage.

Remember, few hotels guests come to a hotel because of the hotel itself. Most guests come to a hotel because of the climate, beautiful beaches, clean lakes, oceans and watereways, fine weather, or area sporting events such as surfing, skiing or hiking. Extend your property's boundaries by helping to protect ALL THE REASONS your guests come to your hotel. Work with area lodging organizations and convention and visitor bureaus to safeguard and preserve air and water quality and reduce demands on Mother Earth.

January 29, 1996, Houston, Texas - "Green" Hotels Association® is offering travelers a NEW set of linen cards which can be used to let hotel management know that changing linens every day is not necessary. By using these cards, travelers can now effectively participate in the "greening" of the lodging industry.

Must we have towels and sheets changed every day during hotel stays? Few of us change our linens every day at home. Why should we be so wasteful when we are staying at a hotel?

"Hotels all over the world use millions of gallons of water and tons of detergent washing linens that have been used only once", says Patricia Griffin, President of "Green" Hotels Association® "Because of this waste, hotels have a huge impact on our environment and on our planet", she continues. Travelers can MAKE A DIFFERENCE by letting hotel management know that they want hotels to conserve and that the traveler wants to participate.

"Green" Hotels Association®'s set of linen cards are addressed from the guest to the housekeeper. The set of two cards-one for towels and one for sheets-plus a letter to hotel management are packaged in a reclosable plastic bag for ease of packing and reusing. Each linen card has translations into Spanish, French, German and Japanese on the reverse for worldwide use. The letter to hotel management lets the front desk and management know that the guest wishes to be allowed to decide when linens will be changed.

For fear of insulting even ONE guest, most hoteliers are very hesitant to make any changes that affect their guests. Travelers' participation will help management make decisions that are "greener". Guests should let hoteliers know that we want all lodging establishments to conserve, and that we want to participate in that conservation. Lodging management will respond to guests' wishes.

The linen cards save hotels water, energy, detergent, labor, wear and tear on equipment and wear and tear on linens. Residue from using tons of detergent is kept out of our waterways. A reader's poll in a recent National Geographic Traveler concerning linen cards resulted in an overwhelming majority responding that they would be willing to save water and energy by reusing towels and sheets during a hotel stay.

"Green" Hotels Association® encourages, supports and promotes ecological consciousness in the hospitality industry through its trade association and its "Catalog of Environmental Products for the Lodging Industry". Because general managers, executive housekeepers and chief engineers generally do not have time to seek out the many ways to conserve water and energy, "Green" Hotels Association® has devoted itself to that important task.

A perfect gift for any traveler, the set of two linen cards along with a letter to management may be obtained by sending a $3.50 check or money order to "Green" Hotels Association®, P. O. Box 420212, Houston, TX 77242-0212.

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Patricia Griffin, "Green" Hotels Association®, 713/789-8889
Contact: Terry Marler, The Travel Council of the World, Inc., 619/226-4618

"GREEN" HOTELS ASSOCIATION® RECEIVES THE TRAVEL COUNCIL OF THE WORLD'S ENVIRONMENTAL "E" AWARD

January 10, 1996, Houston, Texas - The Executive Board of The Travel Council of the World announced the awarding of the coveted "E" for Excellence Environmental Award to the "Green" Hotels Association® based in Houston, Texas.

The award honors private and public endeavors to promote environmentally responsible travel. Over the past twenty years, award winners have ranged from Conde' Nast's Traveler magazine to the Queen of England. Mr. Tom Florio, at that time publisher of Traveler, called it a "great honor to be recognized by some of the greatest leaders in the travel industry".

Internationally famous travel environmentalist Mr. James M. Beasley chairs the council, and expressed his hope that the fine work of the "Green" Hotels Association® will spawn greater awareness and participation in elective environmental programs throughout the hotel industry, not only in America but abroad. Patricia Griffin, president of the "Green" Hotels Association®, which urges hotels across the country to offer their guests "environmental choices", graciously accepted the award in the hope that "it will encourage environmental endeavors to become an integral part of the travel experience".

The Travel Council of the World is the leading international membership organization that promotes environmentally responsible travel. The Council is dedicated to the preservation of the environment, the promotion of environmental travel responsibility, non-discrimination and environmental safety. The Council, founded in 1976, is non-profit, and through communications and publications both domestic and foreign, supplies information to the world of travel on matters of concern to the industry and, most importantly, to those who travel or book travel on behalf of others.

Patricia continues, "We are thrilled and honored to accept this award for our members, who are leaders in the environmental transition within the hospitality industry for committing to the greening of their properties. We ask all travelers, travel agents, tour guides, meeting and convention planners interested in protecting our beautiful planet to choose "Green" hotels when placing their hospitality dollars-we can MAKE A DIFFERENCE!" For a list of "Green" hotels, write "Green" Hotels Association®, P. O. Box 420212, Houston, TX 77242-0212.

August 15, 1995, Houston, Texas - "Green" Hotels Association® is now seeking environmentally-aware hoteliers who, as leaders in the industry, want to become Charter Members of "Green" Hotels Association®. The first 100 hotelier members will qualify as Charter Members, and their properties will forever be distinguished as landmarks within the lodging industry's ecological history.

"The hotel industry has become increasingly conscious of waste reduction strategies, including several that focus on reuse. It is one of the few business sectors to actually band together around an environmental platform, which is promoted by "Green" Hotels Association", says Nikki and David Goldbeck in their recently-published Choose to Reuse, a Book-of-the-Month-Club choice. The lodging industry has reason to be extremely proud of its leadership position in the business world by committing to work together to help save our planet.

"We urge all hoteliers to "green up" with small good-practice measures such as serving drinking water on request only as well as with major renovations to all-fluorescent lighting and by every measure in between. Owners, managers and executive housekeepers do not have time to search out all of the water, energy and land-saving strategies, so "Green" Hotels Association® is devoted to assisting the lodging industry by providing that service", says Patricia Griffin, President. "We are extremely proud of the earth-saving ideas, suggestions and tactics that our Membership Guidelines and Ideas encompass", Patricia continues.

Some of the membership benefits are: Notifies guests of strong concern for our planet. Praise from ecologically-sensitive guests for awareness. Money-saving environmental products and services offered. Co-op buying of ecological products. Shared information on Earth-saving ideas. "Green" Hotels Association® flags for pole and front desk to show awareness. A comprehensive list of conservation ideas and guidelines is offered free to members. "Green" Hotels Association® membership fees are $1 per guestroom per year with a minimum fee of $100 and a maximum fee of $750. Early members include Charter Members Loews Anatole Dallas (1,620 rooms) and the Hyatt Regency Maui (a AAA Five-Diamond property).

Free copies of membership information along with the "Catalog of Environmental Products for the Lodging Industry" are available to hoteliers from the "Green" Hotels Association®, P. O. Box 420212, Houston, TX 77242-0212, Fax 713/789-9786, Voice 713/789-8889. We encourage, support and promote ecological consciousness in the hospitality industry. Save money, water, energy, and become GREEN by getting your property involved in the "green" environmental movement within the lodging industry starting TODAY!

May 15, 1995, Houston, Texas - It's possible for a hotel to save approximately $1.50 cents per day per occupied room* on laundry and toweling costs by using a simple towel-rack hanger and sheet-changing card being offered by the "Green" Hotels Association®. The towel-rack hanger encourages guests to use towels more than once, and says "Please decide for yourself. Towels on the towel rack mean "I'll use it again". Towels on the floor or in the tub mean "please exchange"." The sheet-changing card says, "Sheets are customarily changed daily, but if you feel that this is unnecessary, leave this card on your pillow in the morning, and your sheets will not be changed that day".

"Asking guests to consider using linens more than once is a win, win, win situation for hotels!", says Cornell University Professor Robert Chase. "The first win is an economic one-savings on water, electricity and gas, detergents, toweling, sheets and labor. The second win is a laudable one-taking a commendable and praiseworthy step on the part of the hotel. The third win is for our environment-really doing something to save our planet!"

"This simple recycled-paper towel-rack hanger and sheet card will save money, towels, sheets, tons of detergent, millions of gallons of water, utilities, labor, as well as our environment!," says Patricia Griffin, President of "Green" Hotels Association®, "and guests have been most enthusiastic about it".

Because hotels are extremely large-volume users of water, detergents, cleansers and other solutions detrimental to our habitat, hotel management must be especially conscious of the impact on our life resources. Hotel management can make an important change by asking guests to accept responsibility in this cycle by being conservationists during hotel stays.

Almost none of us wash towels after one use or change sheets every day at home, and guests must understand what that frivilious waste at a hotel does to our planet. Most hotels are ready to make these changes if guests will accept them. So, it's a matter of changing guests' mind-set, and asking guests to help hotels make this transition.

Though environmental-awareness ideas within the hotel industry are innovative in the United States, they have been successful in Europe for some time. Eleven hotel chains with a million rooms have promised to put into practice a voluntary code of ethics for hotel management relating to the environment .

The towel and sheet cards are currently available with one side in English and the other in English, Spanish or 4-languages (Spanish/French/German/Japanese). Customized versions, other languages and quantity prices are available on request.

Free samples of the items are available from the "Green" Hotels Association®, P. O. Box 420212, Houston, TX 77242-0212, Fax 713/789-9786, Voice 713/789-8889. The towel-rack hanger is available at a prepaid cost of $35 per hundred or $135 per 500. The sheet-changing card is available at a prepaid cost of $25 per hundred or $95 per 500. Save money, laundry expenses, and become GREEN by placing these towel rack hangers in your guest rooms!

December 1, 1994, Houston, Texas - "Green" Hotels Assocation®'s "Catalog of Environmental Products for the Lodging Industry" is now available. "After much research and field testing, "Green" Hotels has pulled together a catalog of environmental products and ideas that make choosing "green" an easy option for the hotelier", says Ray Hankamer, Jr., CHA and Managing General Partner of Southwest Hotel Management, Holiday Inn owner and environmentalist.

The need for just such a catalog became apparent after a recent "Green" Hotels survey of owners and managers at a Days Inn convention. The survey asked these owners and managers what their properties were currently doing to help the environment and what they were planning to do in the future. Most respondents felt that they had pretty much "done it all" if showerheads had been changed out and fluorescent lighting had been installed in the lobby. As one owner said, however, "We don't know what else to do. If we are offered environmentally-friendly products, we will install them or use them in our hotels". "Hotels have a huge impact on our environment, and "Green" Hotels Association® is assisting them in becoming more ecologically attuned by offering ideas and products that will help conserve water, energy and all life resources", responds Patricia Griffin, President of "Green" Hotels Association®.

The catalog includes both products specific to the needs of the lodging industry, as well as "Green Ideas" which offer suggestions and ideas for further savings. The products include everything from cards asking guests to use bath and bed linens more than once, to water saving devices, to dispensers for hair and skin-care products, to pencils made from recycled cardboard, to environmental handbooks.

Some of the "Green Ideas . . . " include, (1) if your swimming pool and/or cooling tower are submetered, wastewater charges should be rebated, (2) small soap bars are just the right size for children's hands and leftover bars could be donated to local daycare centers and schools, and (3) a cure for water loss when the shower is on and water is also coming out of the bathtub spout.

Meeting and convention planners should be aware that they can very effectively impact hotels, resorts and convention centers environmentally with the careful placement of their coveted convention and meeting dollars. "Green" Hotels Association® urges meeting planners to take this ecologically-attuned stance by using "Green" Hotels Association®'s Guidelines/Suggestions to check the hotels' ecological sensitivity.

Membership in the "Green" Hotels Association® is introduced on Page 6 of the catalog. Charter membership is being offered to the first 100 hotelier members-charter members' hotel name, location and phone numbers will be included in all marketing materials that "Green" Hotels Association® mails out for two full years. Other membership benefits include co-op buying of ecological products, shared Earth-saving ideas and information, "Green" Hotels Association® flags for pole and front desk and referral of all members along with other benefits.

Free copies of the catalog and the association's guidelines are available to hoteliers and meeting planners from the "Green" Hotels Association®, P. O. Box 420212, Houston, TX 77242-0212, Fax 713/789-9786, Voice 713/789-8889. We encourage, support and promote ecological consciousness in the hospitality industry. Save money, water, energy, and become GREEN by getting your property involved in the "green" environmental movement within the lodging industry starting TODAY!

January 24, 1994, Houston, Texas - 1994's Earth Day on April 22 is the 24th anniversary of Earth Day! Patty Griffin, President of Green Hotels Associationâ says, "Hotels will want to know that this year's theme is "The Time is Now"." "Let's make a special effort to make "world-class" changes during 1994 in preparation for 1 995's 25th anniversary", she adds.

Hotels have a major impact on our environment through water usage, energy consumed and waste dumped, and must take responsibility for this usage. One way to show management's environmental consciousness is for your establishment to celebrate Earth Day 1994. Here are ten suggestions:

1. Start recycling now-in your offices, guest rooms and restaurants. You won't be paying to send those cans, bottles, etc. to the dump.

2. Have a plumber check every water outlet on your facility for leaks. Install water conservation appliances such as toilet dams, aerators and low-flow showerheads and low-flow toilets. You'll reduce your water bill.

3. Buy recycled items-we must help complete the cycle. Boycott polluting companies.

4. Restaurants should offer Chinese-food paper cartons and paper cups rather than foam for takeout foods.

5. Offer an incentive to encourage employees to use public transportation, carpool, bike or walk to work-perhaps 4 extra vacation hours each quarter or a transportation allowance.

6. Offer shampoo, conditioner and soap from bulk dispensers-do your part to stop the hotel industry from putting millions of little plastic bottles into our waste stream.

7. Use natural rather than toxic chemical cleansers-it's healthier for your employees and your guests. Vinegar cuts through mildew, stains and wax. Baking soda cleans, deoderizes, polishes, removes stains and softens fabrics.

8. Try alternative or less frequent use of pesticides on lawns and inside buildings. Boric acid provides substantial control of cockroaches and fleas.

9. Plant trees and/or offer them to your guests. Contact the American Forests Global ReLeaf Program, P. O.Box 2000, Washington, DC 20013, 202/667-3300, Fax 202/667-7751 for information on who to contact in your state forestry program. For information on starting a Free Tree Project in your area, contact American Free Tree Program, In c., P. O. Box 9079, Canton, OH 44711, 216/492-2387, Fax 216/492-3052.

10. Put a "Take the Earth Day Pledge" poster in your lobby where guests and employees can write their resolutions. Ask guests to make suggestions for your hotel.

Any person or organization can write or call Earth Day, 2 Elm Street, P. O. Box 470, Peterborough, NH 03458, 603/924-7720, Fax 603/924-7855 to make a contribution or to order an Earth Day Information Kit.

"Your suggestions of ways the hotel industry can celebrate Earth Day in the future may be sent to Green Hotels Associationâ, P. O. Box 420212, Houston, TX 77242-0212, 713/789-8889 or Fax 713/789-9786 for sharing with other hotels," says Patty Griffin. Green Hotels Associationâ offers towel-rack hangers, sheet-changing cards and other items to hotels which save water, energy, labor, detergents, utilities, linens and money.

Make a tangible, measurable, demonstrable change for the better. Commit to making every day Earth Day!