By Susan Patel
After reading Joe Ascanlo’s article titled: Truly sustainable: How resorts can “go beyond green,” I started wondering about how many hotels and resorts are taking sustainability to the next level right now, today. After some research, I came across some “truly sustainable” green hotels that are worth noting:
The Resort at Isla PalenqueOf course I look into the green initiatives of this resort as it was noted as a great example in Ascanlo’s article. A secluded preserve for rare primary forest and hundreds of species of plants, flowers, animals and birds, the resorts’ efforts, aside from preservation, include:
- Striving for LEED platinum Certification
- On-site solar and wind power
- Protect 220 acres of the forest, lagoons and mangroves as private forest preserves
- Native plants for landscaping
- Guest education on sustainability practices, island flora and fauna, pre-Columbian history and archeology, the culture of nearby tribe, local arts and artisans
- Partner with non-profit organization to support local community and environmental projects
- Battery powered electric cards
- Integrate organic product farm into the existing ecosystems
Developed by environmentalists ahead of their time, this 1,350 acre Florida beach resort is an optimum fit between topography, animal life and plant ecology. Top scientists were consulted from nine fields to produce a plan to protect tidal marshes, conserve oceanfront dunes, and leave sea oats, grasslands and savannahs undisturbed. This green hotel’s initiatives includes:
- Florida Green Lodging Certification
- Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program that promotes ecologically south land management and the conservation of natural resources on established golf courses
- Protect 220 acres of the forest, lagoons and mangroves as private forest preserves
- Reclaimed water for irrigating its landscaping and golf courses
- Evaluating golf carts, service vehicles and guest shuttles
- Offer organic and locally grown food including self-sustaining wine
- Nature Center’s staff naturalists with backgrounds in biology, ecotourism and environmentalism educate guests through children programs, presentations and tours
- Nature Center houses rescued native animals and staff fosters wildlife
Located in Mangolia, this eco-resort is located in the middle of the Gobi Desert. The green hotel serves as a base for scientific research and wildlife monitoring and actively fights against animal poaching and the unauthorized removal of dinosaur fossils from paleontological sites. Aside from this, other sustainable initiatives include:
- Planting over 6,000 native plants and threes throughout to provide for the migratory birds that visit nearby Mt. Bulagtai
- Recycles organic waste to local farmers for use as fertilizer
- Builds and supports greenhouse projects
- Launched a “No Plastic Bags in Gobi” program and its working with local residents and small businesses to encourage the use of cloth shopping bags
- Electricity mainly powered by solar power
This ITC hotel located in India has been awarded the largest LEED Platinum certification in the world.
- Rain water harvesting and drip irrigation used for all landscaping needs
- Energy efficiency guest room systems
- Close to achieving zero water discharge
- Vertical garden conserving water and maintenance friendly
- Electric cards used for hotel concierge operations
- Recycling of solid waste with organic waste converter (produces manure) and is close to zero waste
About EcoGreenHotel
EcoGreenHotel is a company dedicated to helping lodging facilities address energy and environmental solutions. Sustainability services are strategically designed to help hotels identify incentives, rebates, and grants to allocate toward energy efficient solutions to decrease energy costs and achieve the Triple Bottom Line. EcoGreenHotel also offers Energy Star Benchmarking and Energy Efficiency Analysis. For further information visit www.EcoGreenHotel.com or call 888.229.0213
