| Sustainable living is an essential part of the modern | | | | where new technology revolving around solar energy |
| world, as society and the various industries strive to | | | | or wind energy is used. Sadly, not every establishment |
| reduce the overall carbon footprint by conservation of | | | | has funding to support this, and not all countries have |
| energy and natural resources. As such, even hotels | | | | the necessary technology or infrastructure as well. |
| nowadays are gearing up to help save the earth's | | | | The use of cotton that is 100% organic is also one of |
| environment. These eco hotels and green lodges are | | | | the most common practices. Since hotels use a lot of |
| vital for the preservation of our planet. | | | | cotton for many applications-bed sheets, bathing |
| Hotels need to have a number of characteristics that | | | | towels, bathrobes, mattresses, et cetera-making sure |
| must be achieved before they can be classified as | | | | everything is organic ensures there is no fallout out of |
| "eco hotels." The first thing is being certified by a | | | | using synthetic fabrics. |
| government unit or an acknowledged third-party | | | | Fostering a non-smoking environment, designating |
| organization. | | | | recycling bins throughout an establishment, using |
| Originally, eco hotels started off as a term for Eco | | | | energy-efficient appliances such as lighting fixtures, the |
| Lodges-with design and location that is heavily | | | | application of green vehicle technology for in-hotel |
| nature-focused, as some of them can even be found | | | | transportation-all of these and more also fall under the |
| in jungles. Currently, however, eco hotels as a term | | | | practices of a green hotel. |
| has enveloped even hotels in urban locations that have | | | | Of course, if the hotel does its part to keep the |
| embraced the green philosophy and have established | | | | environment clean and green, the guests themselves |
| programs to preserve the environment. | | | | can also do their part to contribute to the success of |
| There are many ways by which the philosophies of | | | | the program. By abiding by the rules of the hotel's |
| different eco hotels can be applied. In fact, some of | | | | green program, guests also help out. Guests can also |
| these practices are quite simple that even those | | | | opt for particular practices to help conserve energy |
| establishments not seeking certification can use them | | | | and water, such as re-using towels after only slight |
| to do their own part to preserve the environment-even | | | | usage or turning off the light in their rooms when they |
| if those are just small ways. | | | | go outside to eat or shop. |
| For example, simply using non-toxic cleaning agents | | | | Everyone has a role when it comes to helping maintain |
| and other stuff used for housekeeping, such as | | | | our fragile environment. That is why it is important to |
| laundry detergent and dishwashing liquids, can go a | | | | consider green hotels the next time you are looking for |
| long way towards helping the environment. This is one | | | | a place to stay in during your travels. These eco hotels |
| of the most common practices used by green hotels. | | | | represent a noble initiative by the travel industry in |
| One of the biggest methods of greening an | | | | general and the hotel industry in particular-especially |
| establishment is to make sure the place relies | | | | since going green is the way of the future. |
| extensively on renewable energy sources. This is | | | | |