COLUMBIA - The Courtyard Marriott in Columbia has been recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly in Mid-Missouri.

The Courtyard Marriott in Columbia has been recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly in Mid-Missouri.

The Missouri Hotel and Lodging Association certified the Courtyard Marriott as 'green'. It all came from saving energy.

Around 4 p.m. the hotel kicked off an event to celebrate being green-certified.

The hotel installed motion detector lights that switch off when no one is in the room. Traditional halogen lights need replacing every two years and give off a lot of wasted heat. But the new LED lights they've put in are more efficient and last seven years.

The staff says don't be scared off by the initial high costs for installing green products and say all the improvements greatly cut down on utilities costs, and also labor time from installation.

Taking a two-minute shower with a water saver saves 4 to 5 gallons of water. It restricts some of the water coming out, so you use less of it with the same amount of pressure. This saves the Courtyard Marriott in Columbia 40 percent of their water supply.

Solar powered lighting and water conservation are important but letting the guests play a role helps the hotel stay energy efficient.

"So we give the guests an option, well would you like us to change them every day or would you like us to go ahead and save some water and change them every two or three days," Spicer said.

"We save probably 40 percent water supply by doing more the energy efficient and more of the shower heads," Carrie Spicer of the Courtyard Marriott said.

"Installation is very quick and simple, plus they're rated a 20-year life expectancy," Ralph Green of the Courtyard Marriott maintenance said.

The outdoor lamps are only $25 from Wal-Mart.

All the other Earth Day celebrations in Columbia kick off at the Peace Park on Sunday.

SOURCE: The Courtyard Marriott