Green Hotels Make Good Sense The hospitality industry doesn't really make or grow anything, so why would any hotel business need a green label? The simple answer is that as the world becomes more aware that our planet’s resources are finite, everyone is starting to realise that we cannot afford to indulge in wasteful consumption any more. From charging for plastic bags in supermarkets to discourage their use, to eliminating foam packaging in the fast-food industry, it appears that more and more organisations are waking up to the fact that green initiatives are not just a tree-hugger’s priority... They are a real necessity. And why should the hospitality industry be any different? Not only can hotels trim their costs by reducing waste, but also, they are aware that many of their guests observe green practices at home, and want to see the hotels they stay in follow suit. Either way, it’s becoming more obvious that being environmentally aware is good for business. Several organisations have grown out of this trend. An example is the Texas-based Green Hotels Association which now counts more than a hundred hotel chains as members in the United States alone. These associations promote a range of initiatives that reduce waste, save resources and ultimately deliver better business practices. Such practices include the use of guestroom towel-rack hangers and sheet-changing cards to encourage guests to consider using towels more than once and not having bed linens changed every day; the recycling of kitchen waste oil into bio-diesel; the recycling of printer cartridges, alkaline batteries and computer components; the replacement of conventional 75-watt bulbs with dimmable 15-watt fluorescent bulbs; and the installation of motion sensors on stairwell light fixtures. Langham Hotels International has also enthusiastically embraced the idea of introducing green initiatives, and each of its properties worldwide now has an Environmental Champion appointed from its senior management ranks. One of the duties of an Environmental Champion is to encourage everyone in the hotel workforce to join the Green Team and come up with suggestions as to how better to adopt green initiatives. Environmental Champions also compile information on energy use, water, gas, waste and recycling, and monitor paper and chemical products usage on a daily basis. This information helps each property compare its current consumption against international best practice standards for the industry. Eight Langham properties participate in Green Globe Benchmarking. For example, The Langham, Boston has made notable progress towards improved environmental and social performance and was awarded Green Globe Benchmark (Bronze) Status in September. Other Langham properties are doing their bit, too. The Langham, Auckland recently hosted New Zealand’s largest clothes-swapping event, in which women had the opportunity to exchange and re-use still-fashionable clothes. Eaton Hotel Hong Kong, an affiliate of Langham Hotels International, supported Friends of the Earth during the Chinese New Year festivities by using an online electronic greeting card in place of a traditional paper-based greeting. Also, in October, staff from The Langham, Hong Kong; Langham Place, Mongkok, Hong Kong; and Eaton Hotel Hong Kong volunteered their time in the form of community service to help clean up a popular local beach. Today more and more hotels are joining Langham Hotels International in becoming more committed to the idea that, when it comes to the environment, every little bit helps.