EcoGreenHotel

Our GREEN TEAM series is coming to a close soon. We’ve covered numerous topics on how to engage your employees in sustainability, now we’ll take a look at how leading companies are engaging their customers through different mediums and a quick idea on how you can create a green tool kit

Engage Customers to be Part of the Solution

Without customers, you can’t run a business. What would happen if you work together to achieve a goal? eBay realized the most powerful thing they could do as a company would be to invite their consumers into the equation. Many of their customers have green values—when they opened the eBay Green Team (ebay.com/greenteam), 40,000 people signed up over night. The Green Team, along with their corporate commitment to sustainability, has strengthened relationships with their customers and helped them achieve an authentic green identity in the marketplace.

Whether it’s a top down or bottom up approach, at one point or another you can’t avoid your guest’s needs. Start taking action by creating a Green Team at your hotel and explore creative ways you can engage your guests during their stay and away. Create a space for them to express themselves about your initiatives and allow them to make recommendations or participate in one way or another. Who knows, they might have some good ideas too.

As part of Intuit’s sustainability strategy, which reaches millions of small businesses with its software programs, have made a commitment to helping their customers be more sustainable. They developed Green Snapshot, a new free tool to help small businesses quickly and easily estimate a company’s carbon footprint and identify recommended actions to shrink it, saving customers money in the process.

Simple idea from Yahoo!. They make green relevant to its consumers through Yahoo! for Good, a campaign that offers tips and resources for going green, and Yahoo! Green, one of the most popular environmental sites on the Web. I’ve seen many hotels take this idea and incorporate it into their own green hotel initiative.

Use Art to Raise Awareness

Here are a few examples of how Yahoo! and eBay raised company awareness.

At Yahoo!, “Chuck the Cup” Day was held at four of their campuses to raise awareness about the environmental impact of using paper cups and highlight the things employees can do to create a more sustainable workplace. The project is the brainchild of Kai Haley, a Yahoo! Green Team member and the “Andy Goldsworthy “ of trash. She calculated how many paper cups are consumed every 15 minutes on Yahoo!’s main campus and created hexagon globes out of thrown away cups.

Along with providing incentives to encourage employees to bring their own mug, Yahoo! put the attention‐getting sculptures that Kai created on their main lawn, each of them representing the number of coffee cups (over 100) used in 15 minutes at their headquarters.

One of eBay’s local Green Teams was determined to phase bottled water out of their office. Prior to installing filters and chillers and removing water bottles from break rooms, they invited employees’ children to participate in a poster contest with the theme “what does water mean to you?” Winning posters were displayed around the office, along with facts and statistics to educate employees on the environmental impact of bottled water production and consumption. The team credits the poster campaign with increasing awareness and support for the project and allowing for a successful transition.

Create a Toolkit to Support and Guide Green Teams

To make it easier for your Green Team (or all your employees), consider cmpling a “Greening Toolkit.” For example, Deloitte’s green program toolkit includes 37 suggested best practices and greening projects, focused on energy consumption, paper consumption, daily product consumption, waste reduction, recycling and travel.

The program is monitored through a “Greening the Dot” Web site, which charts the number of toolkit projects that have been completed, kicking up competition between office locations. In the first six months, over half of the workforce engaged in the implementation of over a thousand greening projects across nearly 100 offices, and reducing energy, water, paper use and travel and increasing recycling.

In the end, they saved resources, reduced waste and realized savings. Everyone won! Being sustainable justmakes economical sense.

Next months newsletter will close this series with: Alighn Green Teams with Corporate Sustainability Goals. Don’t miss it!

Six Things No Green Hotel Should be Without–By Scott Parisi, President, EcoGreenHotel

It seems as if you can’t turn around anymore without running into something “green.”  Nowhere is that more true than in lodging.  Green hotels – or at least, those calling themselves green – are sprouting up everywhere, and travelers are becoming increasingly more aware of what to look for and how to judge whether or not a green hotel actually is… well, green!

You want your guests to know without a doubt that there’s no green-washing happening at your green hotel.  I’ve put together a green hotel checklist so you can see how your property stacks up.  Does your property have:

• Staff Buy-In and Ongoing Education: In a truly green hotel, everyone – from the front desk staff to the owner and everyone in between – fully understands, supports, practices and can communicate the property’s environmental policies.
•   A Working (and funded!) Energy Strategy: Today’s green hotelsgo beyond just changing a few light bulbs and implementing a linen reuse policy.  They analyze their energy efficiency – including conducting Energy Star benchmarking –  and then seek out and apply for incentives, rebates and loans that allow them to make meaningful changes in their consumption.
•   A Green Purchasing Plan: From locally-grown organic produce for its banquet salads to environmentally sensitive cleaning products and furnishings, green hotels know where and how to source the most cost-effective earth-friendly products.
• Green Hotel Certification: A green hotel designation from a certifying body that does on-site audits assures your guests that your property has met rigorous environmental standards.
• Specialized Marketing: Green hotels recognize that expertly targeted internet marketing is vital to their ongoing success in an increasingly competitive industry.

So how does your property stack up?  I know it seems daunting to meet all those requirements, to track down trustworthy, LEED-Accredited Professional advisors, find rebates and incentives, train everybody, and still manage to run a lodging facility… who has time for that?

That’s why I created EcoGreenHotel to be a one-stop shop.  We have trainers, engineers, financial advisors, purchasing and marketing specialists, thousands of quality green products and a certification program to meet the needs of every type and size of lodging facility at all stages in the green hotel process. We are LEED-Accredited Professionals specializing in energy efficiency.  We can help your property achieve all of the above in the most cost-effective way possible, and we can start today.

Company Develops New Energy Efficiency Program for the Hospitality Industry

ROBBINSVILLE, N.J. – EcoGreenHotel President, Scott Parisi, announced the launch of his company’s new Energy Efficiency Analysis program, or E2A, designed to help green hotels assess their exact energy usage and develop cost-effective ways to reduce it.

“As other industries look to reduce their negative impacts on the environment, hotels have struggled to do the same without it having an adverse effect on the guest experience and the bottom line. Energy efficiency programs that have been good for other industries have not necessarily been applicable to hospitality for those reasons,” Parisi said. “Our goal was to develop a hospitality-specific program for evaluating and increasing the energy efficiency of hotels without sacrificing guest satisfaction or the hotel’s financial wellbeing, and we’ve achieved that with E2A.”

The energy efficiency process begins with EcoGreenHotel analyzing a year’s worth of each property’s utility bills using ENERGY STARS benchmarking system. An EcoGreenHotel E2A professional conducts an on-site visit to evaluate the property’s operations and efficiency. EcoGreenHotel then creates a customized, cost-effective energy efficiency strategytaking industry-specific factors, property specifics and region into account.

Once the analysis is complete, each hotel receives a comprehensive report, a cost-benefit breakdown for each of the recommended Energy Conservation Measures (ECM’s), a five-year cash flow analysis for each of the ECM’s, and a list of federal, state, local and utility-sponsored rebates, grants, incentives and loans that will help pay for them.

“Our mission is to encourage greater energy efficiency throughout the hospitality industry, and our new partnership with EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program will greatly enhance that effort,” Parisi said.

“Another thing that sets EcoGreenHotel’s E2A program apart is that it’s completely vendor neutral,” Parisi said. “Our recommendations for products, services and technology are based solely upon our clients’ best interests, and nothing more. We guarantee that each E2A program will result in an actionable plan that will save our clients money, lessen the impact on the environment and improve cash flow.”

To learn more about EcoGreenHotel’s E2A program, visit Energy Efficiency Analysis for Green Hotels.

June 7, 2010, Robbinsville, NJ – EcoGreenHotel today announced a fundamental commitment to protect the environment by becoming an ENERGY STAR partner. Through its voluntary partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Program, will work to improve energy efficiency and fight global warming.  EcoGreenHotel believes that a strategic, corporate energy management program will help us enhance our financial health and aid in preserving the environment for future generations.

“The EcoGreenHotel team is excited to partner with the EPA and the DOE through their highly-regarded ENERGY STAR program, which is recognized worldwide for its excellence,” said Scott Parisi, President of EcoGreenHotel. “ENERGY STAR is among the most trusted and demanding certifying bodies there is, so earning partnership status with them means a great deal to us and the industry we serve.”

In partnership with ENERGY STAR, EcoGreenHotel will:

• Measure and track the energy performance of our client’s facilities where possible by using tools such as those offered through ENERGY STAR;
• Develop and implement a plan consistent with the ENERGY STAR Energy Management Guidelines to achieve energy savings;
• Help spread the word about the importance of energy efficiency to our staff and community;
• Support the ENERGY STAR Challenge, a national call-to-action to help improve the energy efficiency of America’s commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more;
• Highlight our client’s achievements with recognition offered through ENERGY STAR.

“Environmental responsibility is everyone’s responsibility – and today I’m pleased EcoGreenHotel is taking this motto to heart,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.  “By making smart energy choices, EcoGreenHotel is helping improve our nation’s energy and environmental outlook.”

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 50 different kinds of products, new homes and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2007, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved about $16 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 27 million vehicles.

For more information about EcoGreenHotel, visit www.EcoGreenHotel.com or call 1-888-229-0213 for program details. Visit www.energystar.gov for more information about ENERGY STAR.

Robinsville, NJ – June 3, 2010 – EcoGreenHotel LLC is pleased to announce that Mark R. Hahn has been appointed Vice President of Energy Solutions. Mr. Hahn will be responsible for providing comprehensive energy efficiency solutions to the hospitality industry, expanding EcoGreenHotel’s growing portfolio of clients who have reduced their energy use and operating costs.

Scott Parisi, President of EcoGreenHotel LLC stated, “the Green Hotel movement continues to gain momentum as a growing list of corporate and public entities encourage their employees to conduct business with certified ‘green’ properties. As the established online booking engines, such as Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz announce their Green Hotel criteria, there is no doubt that hotels and resorts that embrace sustainable practices will gain market share. Forward thinking management companies and hotel owners have found our energy solutions to be very valuable, cost effective and profitable. With a growing pipeline of new business, we are building our team to support this growth.”

Mr. Parisi continued, “The addition of Mr. Hahn to our team enhances the direction of the Energy Solutions Division and positions the organization to be fully versatile in assisting hotels in all services related to Green Hospitality. The Energy Solutions Division conducts Energy Star Benchmarking, Energy Efficiency Analysis and Energy Performance Project Management. EcoGreenHotel is proficient in identifying federal, state and local utility rebates, incentives, grants and loans. By leveraging available programs, we are able to assist properties to inject capital towards energy conservation measures that create positive cash flow. With new technologies rapidly being introduced into the market and new programs for funding and subsidizing projects, it was time to add an individual with Mark’s experience to our team.”

Mr. Hahn brings a deep commitment to the energy business to his role at EcoGreenHotel, along with extensive experience in financial management. Mr. Hahn studied renewable energy, with an emphasis on solar and thermal efficiency, earning degrees in environmental science and business. He designed and built one of the first solar heated structures in New Jersey. Prior to joining EcoGreenHotel, Mr. Hahn was Executive Vice President with at an energy performance company in New York State where he led a team bringing comprehensive energy solutions to the public sector.

Mr. Hahn commented on his new role; “Through a collaborative process with facility managers, engineers, technology specialists, financial experts and legal counsel, EcoGreenHotel will assist facility owners and property management to conduct energy analysis, develop project scope, arrange financing and incentives, and improve their properties. Our mission is to develop and implement actionable plans that save energy, lessenimpact on the environment and improve cash flow for our clients in the hospitality industry.”

We’ve looked backwards and forwards with our last two book recommendations. Now that we have the foundation set lets take a look at “now.” How to create a company that not only sustains, but surpasses the norm and is an all-around “good” steward – truly.

Seventh Generation’s Jeffrey Hollender and Bill Breen have co-authored a fun read. It serves as a blue print for creating a socially responsible business in this new age. This is Hollender’s push for more responsibility—of the ‘bigger’ kind. Whether you are an owner, leader, executive, general manager, junior employee or staff – this book will show you can green your practices and still make a profit.

Programs both by the government and more so by businesses have been created to bring about the social and environmental change needed in the world and the workplace. Is it really enough?

Using stories and principles from companies who are doing interesting and radical things (Linden Labs, Timberland, Etsy – to name a few), Hollender gives us ideas and methods for sustainable social responsibility. He makes a clear case for Community and Collaboration.

Two points to note are:

1. It’s a competitive advantage for your hotel to be seriously responsible (both as resources dwindle and traveler/guests demand more); and
2. “Sustainability” includes social initiatives. It starts with being green, supply chains and energy efficiency – but there is definitely more to it.

Whether you call it ‘People, Planet, Profit’ or ‘Tripple Bottom Line,’ Profits will follow when we make responsible decisions. We at EcoGreenHotel definitely believe and know the impact of that. This book will get your started, or take you further – either way, you win!

A good start to your hotel’s green waste management initiatives is by first quantifying where you are right now. Without knowing your starting point, you won’t be able to know the impact of your green initiatives.

The Excel Food Waste Management Calculator | The Food Waste Management Calculator (PDF) (13 pp, 97K, about PDF) estimates the cost competitiveness of alternatives to food waste disposal, including source reduction, donation, composting, and recycling of yellow grease. Specifically, the calculator:

• Develops an alternative food waste management scenario based on:
• Your waste profile;
• Availability of diversion methods; and
• Preferences, and
• Compares cost estimates for a disposal versus an alternative scenario.

The Calculator demonstrates that environmentally and socially responsible food waste management is cost-effective for many facilities, including hotels, and waste streams. The more you know about your current waste management costs, the more accurate the calculator’s estimate will be, but default values are provided for many variables.

The focus on greening operations is evolving and some green teams are beginning to focus their efforts on integrating sustainability into employees’ personal lives, while others are aligning their efforts to support broader corporate sustainability objectives.

The business value of these three levels includes: cost savings by integrating energy efficiency into the workplace and products and services; attracting and retaining the best and brightest talent who want to for companies and hotels with an authentic green commitment; and increased market share and revenues resulting from a stronger brand and new, innovative green products and services.

This GREEN TEAM series will provide a summary of the emerging trends and outlines the best practices for green teams:

• Start with the visible and tangible: focus on internal operations
• Get senior management involved, but don’t lose the grassroots energy
• Engage employees to capture ideas
• Communicate and share best practices
• Engage employees with their bellies: The low carbon diet campaign
• Engage employees in their personal lives
• Engage guests to be part of the solution
• Use art to raise awareness
• Create a toolkit to support and guide green teams
• Align green teams with corporate and hotel sustainability goals

This is a resource for companies, organizations and individual hotels just getting started and for those who want to take their existing green program to its next level. It is based on interviews with green team leaders, as well as a review of the latest literature and reports on employee engagement and green hotel teams.

GREEN TEAMS: Introduction

Keeping employees engaged, happy and productive has always been a priority for leading companies, organizations and individual hotels.

Today, as green becomes more mainstream, a growing number of employees want to work for a company committed to sustainability and seek a work setting where the green practices they value at home are being implemented at their workplace.

In a survey commissioned by National Geographic magazine, more than 80 percent of U.S. workers polled said they believe it is important to work for a company or organization that makes the environment a top priority. In 2009, many graduating Harvard MBAs signed an “MBA oath” showing their interest for companies that “strive to create sustainable economic, social and environmental prosperity worldwide.”

Green teams – self-organized, grassroots and cross-functional groups of employees who voluntarily come together to educate and build awareness about sustainability issues and to implement programs that encourage employees and hotel guests to take action – are increasing in popularity as a tool for both keeping employees engaged and showing your commitment to sustainability.

This GREEN TEAMS series provides an overview of some of the best green practices companies and hotels are using to support and guide green teams, without squashing their grassroots passion and energy. It is divided into four key sections:

• Making the business case for green teams;
• Getting started;
• Four emerging trends; and
• Green hotel team best practices.

Look out for EcoGreenHotel’s May Eco Newsletter as we bring you: Making the business case for green teams.