tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36562935439504623822024-02-20T06:38:00.225-08:00HospitalityGreenTBaberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02382177300713086811noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-76343637320969366542015-09-10T18:58:00.001-07:002015-09-10T19:10:00.029-07:00Recycling Begins at Cooke Elementary School <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7ackevFkeeUa1hsI5msSv3xaJDhXttCX6gdQttkIPTdF6Ahd1vaWv4f7oB1XteWf9xtxbu1j1LD-HFSgxv_EyocFaah6QCVsRoEeHUAZTobx-Qr5e6pNYk2_Noe3rFH1cwvdsZ6xyPEx/s1600/Jane+at+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7ackevFkeeUa1hsI5msSv3xaJDhXttCX6gdQttkIPTdF6Ahd1vaWv4f7oB1XteWf9xtxbu1j1LD-HFSgxv_EyocFaah6QCVsRoEeHUAZTobx-Qr5e6pNYk2_Noe3rFH1cwvdsZ6xyPEx/s320/Jane+at+Station.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jane Sorensen, School District EPIC Coordinator shows off the new cafeteria sorting station</td></tr>
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September 10th and Cooke Elementary School's recycling program is off to a good start. Students, teachers and the administration attended an assembly today to kick off the event. Ms. Sondra Johnson Fields, Principal of Cooke welcomed the stakeholders in the initiative: Colleen Emery of Sullivan Renaissance, Christy Walsh of Thompson Sanitation, Evadne Giannini of HospitalityGreen and John Travis, District Director of Facilities.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglI7MARzenvrBVMjJm5vUntTTlM4c6wcnA5U-fxhZSIBWGDCrRb19JcNzXQFcXojKHzvdmL6wCZNmY35863HNQs6cSn6FxEKeng26ithcvhEAk7HE1FDDK2xoGCkSZMKrFjzkuxSn3WAc1/s1600/Draining+MIlk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglI7MARzenvrBVMjJm5vUntTTlM4c6wcnA5U-fxhZSIBWGDCrRb19JcNzXQFcXojKHzvdmL6wCZNmY35863HNQs6cSn6FxEKeng26ithcvhEAk7HE1FDDK2xoGCkSZMKrFjzkuxSn3WAc1/s200/Draining+MIlk.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Draining the milk before tossing it in recycling</td></tr>
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For two days students have been learning how to use the new cafeteria sorting station. Evadne, Jane, Sandra, teachers and aids have been working with the students to show them how to use the new station. <br />
The station also features a cart for uneaten fruit and milk. The "cafeteria sorter" designed by Leo Giannini features a drain for partially used milk, a smiley face with holes for the recycling of milk cartons, plastic containers and unsoiled papers, and a tray stacker for styrofoam trays.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclirTpu592V6a-GDVxPblDHZRzkLZowg1s4ZrT1R5EfPRuQuX1rrNu2Pwf2-r5OyZ11-cgDrqaVT8O_DN-J6pRJS-RaOg5ESoz6URun-3X4FF190wH87njFupWQeDan2J6U576TF8XsHz/s1600/IMG_20150904_151225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclirTpu592V6a-GDVxPblDHZRzkLZowg1s4ZrT1R5EfPRuQuX1rrNu2Pwf2-r5OyZ11-cgDrqaVT8O_DN-J6pRJS-RaOg5ESoz6URun-3X4FF190wH87njFupWQeDan2J6U576TF8XsHz/s200/IMG_20150904_151225.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Custodians prep for first day of school</td></tr>
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The stacker allows students to stack their trays and has reduced bulky bags of garbage by over 70%. Students "Tip and Tap" their garbage in the Oscar Bin to the right of the sorter and then insert their tray in the stacker. On the first day of school, custodians removed two bags of recyclables, 2 bags of trays and two bags of garbage. Last year with a hundred less children, custodians removed after lunch daily 12-15 bags of garbage and no recycling.<br />
Today at the assembly Ms.Sorensen Coordinator for Cooke's School Recycling Program congratulated students and staff for being chosen to be Sullivan County's model program and led everyone in a pledge.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Our Environmental Pledge</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMAWo3aWWEbphjELEfrxRfKjuCx2s1pQ7iq1yxfiJGnzIjWdGbWGCsGGidce2GV4xxL3h1AoF_cNHQQu_o8dBaJNCHJUjdfTTNxMndv82Uk2Sn9DzOhpsIBRYe-F2baaaI5VC15MwUsg0/s1600/hands-up-air-voting-volunteering-4202040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMAWo3aWWEbphjELEfrxRfKjuCx2s1pQ7iq1yxfiJGnzIjWdGbWGCsGGidce2GV4xxL3h1AoF_cNHQQu_o8dBaJNCHJUjdfTTNxMndv82Uk2Sn9DzOhpsIBRYe-F2baaaI5VC15MwUsg0/s200/hands-up-air-voting-volunteering-4202040.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I pledge by the show of my hand to conserve water, to preserve our endangered species, to reserve our natural resources by recycling, and to share with my fellow citizens the responsibility </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for a cleaner and greener community."</span><br />
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Watch for daily updates on the school twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/CookePride" target="_blank">#cookepride</a><br />
<br />HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-53395716036707804502015-04-30T18:43:00.000-07:002015-04-30T18:43:17.002-07:00A Great Green Hump Day<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WqMHYXR_U9_khQrngGwTPAbCzEZvYgSXKiy6jJacqZKASuJkQNmespAEBKt6vTpAToRvwoZT4HYjlxN2RGLiX84jM7hEadPO997iut3XXfSrAXKpBlx-E_YRQs7fXgcts4Iso4hbH8sa/s1600/IMG_3313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WqMHYXR_U9_khQrngGwTPAbCzEZvYgSXKiy6jJacqZKASuJkQNmespAEBKt6vTpAToRvwoZT4HYjlxN2RGLiX84jM7hEadPO997iut3XXfSrAXKpBlx-E_YRQs7fXgcts4Iso4hbH8sa/s1600/IMG_3313.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>Everybody needs a good “hump day” once in a while. Yesterday
was one of those unforgettable Wednesdays. I had started to get disenchanted in
my work as an environmental consultant. What did the work really mean? What was
its real value? Granted I am tired of cajoling and fighting with business owners
to get them to see the cost savings in conservation. God forbid you mention the
environmental benefits.</div>
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Business is hard, and we all are so involved in our day to
day concerns. Our actions have direct consequences. But do we stop to really
care or take concern? When do we look to the outside to evaluate or see the possible
ramifications on our future? “Think of your
children.” has become an empty rant repeated in the “green” vernacular. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3JNkCmKBJQ_Tu-Am6TCOxzS-oZCKGXYfaNmAvPjQMXV2SPY3T7s4lTVy-dBgpZQRuBP9A1hEP2fT50LEwmYAWF4xGDagb8rr7oC-AK5kJFKOa5kc50bYiBYHI_U2EljRDbqxsndNb3Ii/s1600/IMG_3321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3JNkCmKBJQ_Tu-Am6TCOxzS-oZCKGXYfaNmAvPjQMXV2SPY3T7s4lTVy-dBgpZQRuBP9A1hEP2fT50LEwmYAWF4xGDagb8rr7oC-AK5kJFKOa5kc50bYiBYHI_U2EljRDbqxsndNb3Ii/s1600/IMG_3321.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a> It’s been almost 20 years since I stood in a room full of
little ones to try and teach them the importance of recycling and
conservation.</div>
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I went in with full vigor
and prepared. To the 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> grade we were orienting
them to the different kinds of plastics and where and how to find the numbers.
We passed out all kinds of plastics and gave them a chance to identify the number on their item. </div>
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Great excitement filled the room as the discoveries were
made. We even put a few trick items in our collection. Each child that had
caught or gotten an item came to the front and got to put the item in the
recycling bin or the trash. We complimented and cheered as the kids figured it
out. Then one little boy came up and showed me his item, a bag that had contained dog food. He explained
that there was no number on his bag. I, of course, repeated that if it had no
number it was to go in the trash. He then said to me, “But <u>it</u> could be reused.”</div>
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Stunned, I congratulated him and told him that
was excellent. And because he knew that it could be reused; I would give him
the item to re-use however he wanted. Off he went, and we conducted the third
assembly of the day with 5<sup>th</sup> graders, an introduction to composting and reuse. At the end of the 5<sup>th</sup>
grade assembly, we looked up and standing at the door was the little boy,
Thomas. He had something to show us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsesnXn5TWeSMWjWr23b73WO99gZ0AJVwG154FxXFK2c_cArvEkwaYkPfTYUXsWjOI6kVXYa-h27FZ4t7Rtk113q5gVrjYmv2ZO11UXqd5_UPBwet7S8Yt7LLgMgm9ChbvRMzjtdFsrwHH/s1600/IMG_3331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsesnXn5TWeSMWjWr23b73WO99gZ0AJVwG154FxXFK2c_cArvEkwaYkPfTYUXsWjOI6kVXYa-h27FZ4t7Rtk113q5gVrjYmv2ZO11UXqd5_UPBwet7S8Yt7LLgMgm9ChbvRMzjtdFsrwHH/s1600/IMG_3331.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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What can I say? For all of us “Green folks” who have lost
our way or the meaning of why we are doing what we are doing; I promise you, we
are doing it for the children. And those adults who can’t seem to figure out the
value or the ROI of this “green stuff,” move over, the next generation gets it,
and they mean business.<br />
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Have a great weekend! It's coming soon.</div>
HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-47566120077431233902014-06-10T10:24:00.002-07:002014-06-10T10:24:34.496-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4xzZDGxozhkRksrNuSU0p1aZXBMChTsR_zWtENOfC7K9CRh_HN4wsrtXy7p85N3V_4k2xpqbfLtEiQG6cI-jNylBY_0VIAU1DJdXeP6wXOdjm_TabVPA_quvDFBkB2bxE5A6BIFYRWFg/s1600/Outside+the+Box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4xzZDGxozhkRksrNuSU0p1aZXBMChTsR_zWtENOfC7K9CRh_HN4wsrtXy7p85N3V_4k2xpqbfLtEiQG6cI-jNylBY_0VIAU1DJdXeP6wXOdjm_TabVPA_quvDFBkB2bxE5A6BIFYRWFg/s1600/Outside+the+Box.JPG" height="183" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thinking <a href="https://twitter.com/Hospitality_Grn" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">#Outside the Box#</span></a></h2>
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It is almost Summer and the perfect time to get outside! Take a walk or admire a flower garden. Here in the Catskills our surroundings are constantly changing. The mild days and cool nights allow us ample time to get outside. </div>
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In winter we can feel trapped in the comfort of our warm house and or our car. Now is the time to use our beautiful surroundings to unleash our creativity and think outside the box. </div>
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Check out our Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Hospitality_Grn" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">@Hospitality_Grn</span></a> and we will inspire you with ideas, businesses and people who are Thinking<a href="https://twitter.com/Hospitality_Grn" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> #outside the box#</span></a></div>
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And of course, we welcome your additions. Follow us, retweet, add to your favorites or send us yours. </div>
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We look forward to the shared inspiration. Enjoy summer and spending time, Thinking<span style="color: #b45f06;"> <a href="https://twitter.com/Hospitality_Grn" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">#Outside the Box# </span></a></span></div>
HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-71402632478673843142014-05-09T21:55:00.000-07:002014-05-09T21:55:03.523-07:00It’s Earth Day Every Day for Santa Fe’s Green Lodging Participants <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilegZDr11kloRqHOebAZaNSHKJ1Q9-Ok3B-TsQstHUV8NObppS1Z-mA51tkr7j1dmAl104eCv-ykNcCBzf__xKR3E14ZOmanmpyG53UyhoMQESY9dUhtpkBCseN7v_QAX4bZaipeBm4Mpx/s1600/Santa+Fe+Green+Lodging+Participants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilegZDr11kloRqHOebAZaNSHKJ1Q9-Ok3B-TsQstHUV8NObppS1Z-mA51tkr7j1dmAl104eCv-ykNcCBzf__xKR3E14ZOmanmpyG53UyhoMQESY9dUhtpkBCseN7v_QAX4bZaipeBm4Mpx/s1600/Santa+Fe+Green+Lodging+Participants.jpg" height="320" width="311" /></a></div>
April 28, 2014<br />
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">On April 22<sup>nd</sup>, Earth Day 2014, the 13 participating hotels of
the Santa Fe Green Lodging (SFGL) Initiative celebrated their accomplishments
at the Inn of the Governors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Felicity Broennan, coordinator for the Santa Fe Watershed Association’
Green Lodging Program, opened the ceremony by saying that even though it is
Earth Day, our SFGL participants throughout the year have been trained in sustainable practices and
are now practicing Earth Day every day. She congratulated all of them on their
accomplishments. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">The participating hotels are <b>Casa Cuma B and B</b>, <b>Eldorado
Hotel</b>, <b>Houses of the Moon at 10,000
Waves,</b> <b>Hotel Santa Fe the Hacienda
& Spa</b>,<b> Inn of the Five Graces</b>,<b> Inn of the Governors</b>, <b>Inn on the Alameda</b>, <b>La Fonda on the Plaza</b>,<b> La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa</b>,<b> Old Santa Fe Inn</b>, <b>Santa Fe Inn</b>, <b>Santa Fe Sage
Inn</b> and <b>Silver Saddle Motel</b>. Twelve of the thirteen properties have
achieved HospitalityGreen’s (HG) Green Concierge bronze level certification.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">In December 2012, the Santa Fe Watershed Association (SFWA)
launched a public-private sector collaboration, called the <i>Santa Fe Green Lodging Initiative</i>. </span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d0d0d;">The initiative was funded by a $49,700
grant awarded to the Watershed Association by the federal Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). The Initiative,
spearheaded by the SFWA</span><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">, worked directly with Santa Fe’s hospitality industry to
save money, conserve water, and decrease chemical and carbon pollution going
into their river and watershed system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Since February
2013, HospitalityGreen LLC, </span><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">a </span><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">New York-based firm specializing in environmental and
operations consulting services </span><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">and founder of the nationally
recognized <i>Green Concierge Certification</i>®
program, provided technical assistance, green team training and customized
coaching to each of the participants. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">In October 2013 HospitalityGreen (HG) conducted on-site third party
assessments of thirteen of the fourteen properties. The on-site assessment
determined if the individual property met the rigors of the Green Concierge Certification. The certification requires that a property
meet multiple standards and track resource use over time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">With data acquired from the properties and the utility companies, the
participants have cumulatively saved over 2.1 million kilowatt hours of
electricity with a cost savings of about $ 101,000.00. The cost savings does
not include the rebates they received for lighting and electrical system
upgrades, some of which are still in process.
Through system and water saving features, the SFGL properties saved over
1.5 million gallons of water with a cost savings of over $27,000 annually. By
switching cleaning products they eliminated over 2000 pounds of hazardous
chemicals from entering our waste water treatment plant and thus the Santa Fe
River.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Sam Gerberding, General Manager of the Inn of the Governors said that
they were never made to feel bad about what they were doing or chastised for
not doing more. Consequently, the Green Teams at the lodging properties,
consisting of staff from housekeeping, food & beverage, engineering, and
top management, took pride in the daily steps they made to achieving tangible
resource conservation with viable economic benefits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Evadne Giannini</span></b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">, Founder and CEO
of HospitalityGreen LLC, said “We
are honored to have been able to work with our enthusiastic colleagues in Santa
Fe for the past year with wonderful engagement at every level at these
extraordinary properties. We look forward to continuing to share ideas, increase
everyone’s benefits and assist the businesses to help brand Santa Fe as a
premier eco-tourist destination.” As Ms.
Broennan said in her closing remarks, “Everyone benefits when we collaborate to
take care of our natural resources: the businesses, the residents, the
tourists, and the environment. It’s the new quadruple, value-added bottom line
with high impact results!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">The Santa Fe Watershed Association</span></b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"> (SFWA) </span><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">builds vibrant, resilient ecosystems within the Santa Fe
River Watershed using a holistic approach of restoration, education,
stewardship, and advocacy. </span><span style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Santa Fe Green Lodging Initiative’s
growing directory of local partners includes</span></i></b><b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">: </span></b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Santa Fe
Watershed Association, Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau, City of Santa
Fe Environmental Services Division, New Mexico Lodging Association, Santa Fe
Lodgers Association, Santa Fe Community College, New Mexico Green Chamber of
Commerce - Santa Fe Chapter, Inn of the Governors, La Posada de Santa Fe Resort
and Spa and La Fonda on the Plaza. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">HospitalityGreen LLC</span></b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"> is a New York based consulting firm specializing in
environmental and operations consulting services. HospitalityGreen partners
with service-based and product-based clients throughout the hospitality,
manufacturing and institutional healthcare industries, to implement sustainable
business practices. Providing services for our client not to them, our goal is
to create for our clients environmental capital one facility at a time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-33471789685822187732014-03-20T12:11:00.001-07:002014-03-20T12:19:53.159-07:00Many Shades of Green - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXD64-yVgV2PIun15yEZJLtXBIdvI9oR97FzgYBRc4cAfCsVcJaFSJD_un3dN-DF6JHBaPx9KmL1Ntkzbtk71Zjp_UQxEDeCV1-lAOCF0dV2M_PX6vHvNFSRrnWW-PSSJW7Vi_Rjiqrgse/s1600/The-Many-Shades-of-Green_Infographicw+cc+copyright-page-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXD64-yVgV2PIun15yEZJLtXBIdvI9oR97FzgYBRc4cAfCsVcJaFSJD_un3dN-DF6JHBaPx9KmL1Ntkzbtk71Zjp_UQxEDeCV1-lAOCF0dV2M_PX6vHvNFSRrnWW-PSSJW7Vi_Rjiqrgse/s1600/The-Many-Shades-of-Green_Infographicw+cc+copyright-page-0.jpg" height="309" title="The Many Shades of Green" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our first<a href="http://hospitalitygreen.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-many-shades-of-green.html" target="_blank"> Many Shades of Green </a>blog shared no/low cost ideas to help
you get started on the journey to greening your lodging property. If you now
have a Green Team in place and made an investment in a little staff training; you
can see that developing a green policy wasn't that difficult. In fact, you’re undoubtedly curious about
additional ways to be kind to both your bottom line and Mother Nature! <o:p></o:p></div>
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May we suggest; to start on Part 2 of your Shades of Green journey
first you need to take a walk. <o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s right. <u>With your Green Team take a walk around your property</u>.
Let them individually point out possible areas for improvements. Listen to your staff. Their insight will be valuable
in creating employee engagement and in implementing improvements. Be careful
not to blame or point out a person who might be at fault. Remember that as
Jeffrey Liker in his book, <i>The Toyota Way</i>,
states, “It is the people who do the work who can improve the work.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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HG has a <i>Walk Thru Assessment
Guide Book</i> that helps staff define, find and prioritize areas for
improvements. The guide is an easy to follow series of check lists that
quantify and evaluate sustainable water, energy, waste, and purchasing practices
and systems throughout a property. If nothing else, take notes as you see areas
for improvements. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It is easier to make improvements if you have a guide to follow. We recommend
using either Trip Advisors Green Leaders Survey or HG’s Green Concierge (GC)
Certification Standards? Either of these will give you a point at which to
begin and a matrix for improvements. TA’s Survey and the GC Certification Standards
provide a comprehensive guide for looking at water, energy, waste, purchasing,
employee and customer engagement, and policy improvements.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>#2 the Employee Assessment <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Assign members of your Green Team to assess and evaluate improvements
in areas of your property where they spend most of their time working.
Administration employees are best suited to improve practices within their
area. Other team members and outside expertise can be brought on once the
original employee assessment has been completed. By engaging the employees
first, you will find that they are much more willing to accept modifications and
changes, both large and small to products and systems. They initiate the change
by conducting the walk thru assessment. <o:p></o:p></div>
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#3 Evaluating the Assessment<o:p></o:p></div>
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Before investing in costly upgrades and new products, first address all
maintenance issues that you haven’t already done. More importantly make sure
that employees are assigned to areas of maintenance that needed improvement.
Add items to housekeeping’s check list like setting back thermostats and
checking for leaking faucets. How often
and who is assigned to cleaning all sconces and hall lights? Who checks for
water leaks in the property system and how often? There are numerous areas that can save money
and improve the overall appearance of a property. Guests notice leaky faucets and stained and
dirty fixtures. Work through each maintenance item and create check lists or
assign people to each task.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>#4 Track Energy Use<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Do you know how much energy you use? Free on-line tracking tools such
as the <a href="http://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facility-owners-and-managers/existing-buildings/use-portfolio-manager?c=evaluate_performance.bus_portfoliomanager">ENERGY
STAR Portfolio Manager</a> make it simple to manage your energy and water
use. All you need to get started are
your most recent energy bills and basic information about your
building(s). Within a few months of
tracking you’ll see patterns of energy waste that can be corrected quickly and
easily. Reducing energy consumption will
not only result in significantly reduced operating costs but will also lead to
safer conditions for your staff and guests<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>#5 Track and Record your Waste
and Purchasing Inventories<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Even if it is not scientifically perfect, you need to at least estimate
how much garbage and recycling is being collected. HG has a Resource Tracking
Tool available for use that allows you to track everything from small
containers to rolls offs. Read your bills and see if tonnage is provided. If
not, how big is your dumpster or are they toters? Start with at least a decent
estimate of what you are doing right now. How else can you make and manage
improvements? “You can’t manage what you can’t measure….” Peter Drucker <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>#6 Evaluate your Cleaning Program<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Start small by examining the cleaning products used by housekeeping. The most successful green cleaning programs
combine both green cleaning products and high performance cleaning
equipment. Rely on your third party certifiers, Green Seal and Eco-Logo for green
validation. These certifiers have an in depth understanding of the federal
regulations for chemical compounds. Let their chemists do the work for you.
Remember to evaluate your cleaning equipment. Training will need to take place
when adopting new products and procedures.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>With input from your staff, data
on current resource use, basic maintenance issues assigned, you are now ready
to make decisions on new products, and systems. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>#7- Approach all upgrades comprehensively<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Utilize the services of good energy consultants
who will pair state incentive programs to their services. A good resource for
state energy incentives for energy efficiency upgrades and the installation of renewable
energy systems is <a href="http://www.dsireusa.org/">http://www.dsireusa.org/</a>
Before making major upgrades or re-lamping the property, seek the advice
of a lighting consultant who is familiar with new products and potential state and federal
incentives. Speak to your energy
consultant and ask for a few referrals. Today it is more than changing a bulb. Many
of these services are free and or required for incentive programs. Don’t just
purchase from a catalog. Before making any purchase, make sure that the lamps
and fixtures are compatible. Use the
services of a reputable licensed service provider.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Work with cleaning product providers who will
test product with you and provide staff training. Buying off the shelf from
your local food co-op or a big box store is throwing money out the door. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Consider working with a consultant to evaluate
and modify energy, waste and water contracts. This is money well spent. Often
their contracts are based on the savings that they are able to provide through
contract re-negotiation<i>. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>#8 – Let your guests know that
you are “Going Green” <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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By making outward guest sensitive improvements first, guests will readily
see them. Your return guests can be involved in the process. If done with
authenticity and comprehensively, Going Green can:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Solidify your credibility as a green lodging
property<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Increase tourism revenue<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Engage your employees<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Decrease operating costs<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Increase financial returns.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Economic and environmental sustainability can easily be achieved by
recognizing and applying the Many Shades of Green!<o:p></o:p></div>
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HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-81788878345577839102014-03-10T20:12:00.000-07:002014-03-10T20:12:14.609-07:00The Many Shades of Green<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Running a “green” hotel – sounds daunting, doesn't it? As hoteliers we have enough to do. Running multiple venues across the property,
managing staff, dealing with maintenance issues plus the all-consuming,
relentless struggle to keep guests happy.
Who has the time or resources to implement an environmentally
responsible green program?!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Actually, it’s not as hard as one might think. In fact, even just a few no cost/low cost changes
can result in cost-savings and favorable guest reviews, which gives you an edge
in a very competitive industry.<br />
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According to a recent customer survey conducted by the <b>2013
CONE Communications <i>Green Gap Trend Tracker</i></b>,<b><i> </i></b>70% of consumers
“Think Green” when purchasing; and that number is growing. Consumer observations and interests also affect
their purchasing and the survey reveals 85% want companies to educate them. So as hoteliers how can we afford to not “green”
our hotel and “green” train our staff? <o:p></o:p></div>
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In hard financial times what can we do that is no cost or low cost but
will satisfy the growing hunger of guests looking for eco-destinations? Being inside our properties, it’s difficult
to see the most obvious areas for improvements and greening. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Be smart. Start where you will
get the best returns, guest satisfaction and cost savings with the least amount
of capital outlay.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>#1</i> <i>Develop a “Going Green” Policy<br />
</i>Your policy doesn't have to be lengthy or highly detailed. It
should include your intentions to protect the environment, the health and
safety of your employees, and the community in which you conduct your business.
Your policy should adopt environmentally
responsible business practices by conserving energy, water, and other natural
resources. It can also state you will
stay committed to these goals while maintaining your standards for customer
comfort and enjoyment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>#2</i> <i> Select a “Green Team”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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There’s no need to go it alone.
With employee team members who represent your full scope of operations
(housekeeping, maintenance, food and beverage, etc.), you’ll have expert help
in identifying and implementing the best practices for your property as well as
monitoring your progress and cost savings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>#3</i> <i>Invest
in Training your “Green Team”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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These are the people on your staff that need to understand your “Going
Green” policy and will be your “doers.” It is important to educate them on “Green.” Everyone needs to understand the many shades
of green and have a mapped out process for getting there. Invest in green training for your team. A minimal training investment will be paid
back within a short period of time by authorizing your green team to adopt minor
operational changes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>#4</i> <i>Fix Water
Leaks and Manually Adjust Thermostats</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Make sure kitchen staff and housekeepers alert maintenance staff to
leaks regularly. Water leaks can be
costly but the good news is they can be easily fixed. Make sure housekeepers set back thermostats
when finishing a room. Turn off lights
in areas of the hotel that are not being used, but make sure all common access
areas still meet fire code standards. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>#5 Set-up
a Towel Reuse Policy<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Every day millions of gallons of water and laundry chemicals are used
to wash towels and linens that have been used only once. Create a simple room placard that gives
guests the option to hang their towels back up and pull the comforter over the
bed if they would like to help protect the environment by reusing their towels
and linens.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>#6 RECYCLE!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Customers notice if you do not have recycling bins. At the least, set
up recycling bins for your customers in common areas and near vending machines.
Paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, glass
– recycle some or all. It’s as simple as
contacting your waste vendor, requesting recycling bins and placing them strategically
in common areas.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In some states, you can even get bottle return money! Make sure you don’t just collect it, but
actually recycle it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The <b>2013 CONE Communications <i>Green Gap Trend Tracker </i></b>survey also
provided the following statistics:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->69% say,
“It’s okay if a company is not environmentally perfect as it is honest.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->78% say
they will boycott a product/service if they discover an environmental claim to
be misleading.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Congratulations! With the above
“shades of green” in place, you now are on the way to “Going Green.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sure there is always more you can do, but with a small cash outlay, you’re
off to a very good start. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Investing in an educated Green Team who can answer guest questions, and
with an adopted credible environmental policy, you can now proudly display your
environmental policy on your website and on property. Travelers searching for green practice hotels
will take notice, and your business will be well on its way to becoming both
economically and environmentally sustainable.<o:p></o:p></div>
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HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-91728425101057540552014-02-25T09:47:00.001-08:002014-02-25T09:49:02.738-08:00View our 2014 Green Tourism Conference at a Glance Schedule<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGDopTf9EER6AJXT3j9r436iMw-zcLsrcFR0uT-ivRixlhCCT3UiPJAHfX2XtmNmHWV3sf6BU56_xedm430DtZWp4b2D7sWV4W7WfVSn1rtJ7GF4WcCd5Db-EBMQ4ZpFTuVTBhoeMVPCq/s1600/gtc_topphotos_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGDopTf9EER6AJXT3j9r436iMw-zcLsrcFR0uT-ivRixlhCCT3UiPJAHfX2XtmNmHWV3sf6BU56_xedm430DtZWp4b2D7sWV4W7WfVSn1rtJ7GF4WcCd5Db-EBMQ4ZpFTuVTBhoeMVPCq/s1600/gtc_topphotos_2.jpg" height="93" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #2ca34e;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Short on time? Us too!</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #2ca34e;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">View the At-a-Glance Conference Schedule below or click <a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/rclick.php?d=6tXppkIHVe-jc-u6dbBXrqkIfOBK6ORZ&w=3&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.delawarehighlands.org%2Ffiles%2FGTConference%2FGTC_At_a_Glance_Schedule_AP_2.pdf" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255) !important;">here</a> to download it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #2ca34e;">Online registration is open. Click <a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/rclick.php?d=6tXppkIHVe-jc-u6dbBXrqkIfOBK6ORZ&w=3&destination=https%3A%2F%2Fhospitalitygreen.wufoo.com%2Fforms%2Fzli8gvz06ndtqg%2F" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255) !important;">here</a> to register online.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Important correction to Program Ad Specs, see below.</span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWmz5U5SESzgZP2eRwHuwPRBbi3urVb3TFGGv7x6quHkf6_BQWVw1nuY5ahIYNi7wHhSp5YLs0ZYxCzL8wI_a2UsU1X-8_6pCbrpY2nSCph8DBybJmg88mhHr81fQ6Kzz4RMU3GhkIyXr/s1600/GTC+At+a+Glance+Schedule+AP+2+medium.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWmz5U5SESzgZP2eRwHuwPRBbi3urVb3TFGGv7x6quHkf6_BQWVw1nuY5ahIYNi7wHhSp5YLs0ZYxCzL8wI_a2UsU1X-8_6pCbrpY2nSCph8DBybJmg88mhHr81fQ6Kzz4RMU3GhkIyXr/s1600/GTC+At+a+Glance+Schedule+AP+2+medium.JPG" height="340" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #424242;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Program Ad deadline extended to March 15</strong></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #424242;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Get in the program! Advertise your business in the Green Tourism Conference program, which will be in the hands of every attendee, and in front of the eyes of anyone visiting the <a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/rclick.php?d=6tXppkIHVe-jc-u6dbBXrqkIfOBK6ORZ&w=3&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.delawarehighlands.org%2Finitiatives%2Fgreen-tourism" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255) !important;">GTC website</a>.</span></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #424242;">Full page ad= $125</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #424242;">Half page ad= $75</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #424242;">Quarter page ad= $40</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #424242;">Ad specs:</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #424242;">Ads will be printed in Gray Scale</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #424242;">Full page 5"x8”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #424242;">1/2 page horizontal 5”x 3.875”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #424242;">1/4 page vertical 2.375”x 3.875”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><strong><span style="color: #424242;">Preferred file format: .JPG</span></strong></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #424242;">Submit your print-ready ad to go.green@hospitalitygreen.com</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-12478939670259629842014-02-25T09:41:00.001-08:002014-02-25T09:41:15.392-08:002014 Green Tourism Conference - April 7-8 - Callicoon, NY<a href="http://www.icontact-archive.com/6tXppkIHVe-jc-u6dbBXrnYJ0eBzIJ-n?w=3#.UwzVja3WT4w.blogger">http://www.icontact-archive.com/6tXppkIHVe-jc-u6dbBXrnYJ0eBzIJ-n?w=3</a>HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-82881889085612578802013-11-22T15:31:00.001-08:002013-11-22T15:49:13.993-08:00Redefining Eco-Friendly to Accurately Measure <div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Report finds eco-friendliness not a
factor in filling hotel rooms: </span></i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> By Danny King</span> <a href="http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Report-finds-ecofriendliness-not-a-factor-in-filling-hotel-rooms/">http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Report-finds-ecofriendliness-not-a-factor-in-filling-hotel-rooms/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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There are two factors that I find significant in Danny King’s
story on the report from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration issued
publicly in October 2013 <a href="http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/research/chr/pubs/reports/abstract-17463.html">http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/research/chr/pubs/reports/abstract-17463.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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(1) The data metrics
that were used: Sabre's, <i>Travelocity
Green Program</i> and the <i>International
Carbon Measurement Initiative</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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(2) What is "Eco-friendliness?" How does the
customer perceive that concept and the value?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s explore the first data metric that was used, Sabre's, <i>Travelocity Green Program. </i> Sabre's Program unlike Trip Advisor's (TA's) program,
was never clearly rolled out. Let's think consumer for a minute. To find a <i>Green Hotel </i>rated by their program on Travelocity’s
public site, you would think that you would go to their main site page. <a href="http://www.travelocity.com/">http://www.travelocity.com/</a> But, there is no listing and no drop down for
"green" on the main page. If
you care or know or have looked up, Googled, "Travelocity green
hotels," you get guided to an interior page not even listed in the site navigation for
"Green Hotels." <a href="http://www.travelocity.com/sitemap">http://www.travelocity.com/sitemap</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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The Travelocity Green page <a href="http://www.travelocity.com/c/content/site/en/TRAVELOCITY/public-relations/microsite/travel-for-good/travel-for-good.html">http://www.travelocity.com/c/content/site/en/TRAVELOCITY/public-relations/microsite/travel-for-good/travel-for-good.html</a>
is a confusing site page loaded with PR
jargon and the actual listings of hotels nearly impossible to find. There is no
simple procedure for booking. If this is the tool that was used; number of
hits, bookings from this source etc., I am surprised they got anything to
measure based on the customer interface of the tool.<br />
<br />
The article goes
on to describe how many hoteliers went on to embrace measuring carbon
footprints as the second metric used. Well if you look at the portfolio of Inter-Continental Hotels
Group (IHG), the lead company in the article that is mentioned, you realize
that this particular hotel group is heavily invested in countries that are
embarking on carbon legislation that will and does impact hotel operations. For
many reporting is a legislated necessity. IHG’s site provides insight into
their carbon initiatives. <a href="http://www.ihgplc.com/index.asp?pageid=741">http://www.ihgplc.com/index.asp?pageid=741</a>
The US is also an active participant in the carbon reporting dialogue. Carbon measuring for the international hotelier is a standard practice for conducting international business.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Reviewing this concept from the consumer perspective, this is currently a
pretty confusing concept. Ask anybody if they are trading or calculating their carbons
and you will see a blank stare much like the deer on the side of the road. To most
consumers, it does not mean a thing. Carbon trading goes far beyond and is in
left field when describing to the consumer "Eco -Friendly" and
potentially a reason for booking a hotel room.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So the metrics for measuring <i>eco-friendly</i> consumer
spending behavior missed the mark. The metric failed as a measurement for consumer habits. So does that mean that the customer doesn't care or value
green? I think Danny King's article would like us to believe that.
"Eco-friendly is not a factor in filling hotel rooms" I question the definition,
measurement and context of his statement.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is interesting that the article completely leaves out the
TA program. Understandably, the TA program was not in existence when the study was done. The author chose to use only the data from the Cornell study. The TA program is the game changer for the industry. TA reported in 9/13
that it had doubled its participation and had become in less than 9 months the
largest certification program. The first
report on the Cornell Study was publicly issued one month after TA’s progress
report. And this article is published a mere two months after the TA data. Certifications and green
programs are without a doubt rattled by TA's game changer.</div>
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What is intriguing, and I believe significant about this article and gleaned from the report, is what was used to measure <i>eco-friendly</i> customer value engagement. Dr Chong and Dr.
Verma, authors of the study, in their executive summary succinctly state, “<span style="background: #F4F4F4;">While this study doesn't address the situation of
any individual hotel, we can conclude that going green is compatible with
existing quality standards of hotel service</span>…”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Therefore I pose the question, is <i>eco-friendly</i> as it was defined for the last 10 years as, the initial steps that a hotel took to
“Go Green,” now viewed by the customer as standard, norms? Are these standards of service which
we initially thought of as green standards now “existing quality standards of
hotel service?” A norm then becomes hard to measure as a factor to measure
purchasing habits since it is assumed. I would argue that it is this metric and the definition that has changed and consequently changing the consumer’s attitude towards the
value of <i>eco-friendly. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Energy Conservation, water savers, sheet and towel programs
and recycling are all now just considered a part of normal quality standards of
hotel service. I draw the analogy of the customer who asks the front desk for a
toothbrush that he/she forgot to pack. Would the front desk employee even think
to say, “Oh we don't have a toothbrush, we don't do that?” Well, that's
where we are with <i>Eco-Friendly</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Consequently how the customer views <i>eco-green/eco-friendliness</i> has changed. How the customer
rates the hotel for <i>green</i> has
changed. If you take a moment to study how TA has listed Green Practices,
Energy etc. under its Green Certification lexicon, you will see how those
attitudes have changed. To enter into the program as a Green Partner (Base 1
Level), it's not enough to have energy efficient bulbs, that's a given. What
you need to do in order to enter as a Green Partner is track energy use for a
minimum of one year. The language for the consumer in TA's public green face is
much more evolved than the standard of 5 years ago. The customer is smarter,
knows more, expects more and gets it. If they choose to engage, they can
respond based on the customer experience and a metric which rates a hotel on basic green standards and their practices that are above and beyond the norm. And hopefully an employee, having been required to take Green Team Training can engage in dialogue with the curious customer about the hotel's practices. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So as a customer, we no longer look at or reward a hotel for
doing the basics, the givens. On the other hand, do we really decide if we are
going to stay at your hotel if you measure your carbons? The question remains. <b>Will hoteliers read this article, go
about business as usual and not really look below the title as to the true
significance of the article?</b> The executive summary of the research paper
states, “…advertising green status doesn’t hurt a hotel’s revenues. Earning a
green certification does not automatically result in a large revenue bump nor a
revenue fall. In short, green is not a “silver bullet” strategy. “<o:p></o:p></div>
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The game changer is to actively engage the consumer in the
process. And without a doubt in
marketing we know that when you engage people in authentic stories and link their
actions to responsible tourism, the consumer finds it more appealing and
fulfilling, the sweet spot of added value.<br />
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Linking authenticity and responsibility are powerful
marketing tools. Linking your green practices to your regional stewardship of
the environment brings a whole other dimension to the green / eco-friendly
commitment both for the consumer and the hotelier. Our drums need to march in
the same parade. It's not about just a towel or a bulb, it's also about how our
actions and spending habits impact where we live and play. Our job is to create
those linkages. Our definitions and understanding of <i>eco-friendly</i> are changing and in a sustainable direction for all. It just requires defining and measuring accurately
in order to tell the story with authenticity.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-60235905980190792442013-11-01T17:43:00.000-07:002013-11-01T17:43:32.733-07:00Congratulations to the Green Concierge Participants<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJShAC8MCRT0dhR2KFJRLLvsnQ2VbiSrqvvJQ7lDUJ0EsNsho2G4Aw8BQkhdM0fC88Vw32_cKCh693ejnrcShMhAatpwWbLGdiZ4f4k1noXz4o4QtHcXSbM9Jfhyphenhyphen_RDtY3as-lp5Ly93zF/s1600/Santa+Fe+Green+Lodging+Participants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJShAC8MCRT0dhR2KFJRLLvsnQ2VbiSrqvvJQ7lDUJ0EsNsho2G4Aw8BQkhdM0fC88Vw32_cKCh693ejnrcShMhAatpwWbLGdiZ4f4k1noXz4o4QtHcXSbM9Jfhyphenhyphen_RDtY3as-lp5Ly93zF/s320/Santa+Fe+Green+Lodging+Participants.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to Right / Top to Bottom<br />10,000 Waves, La Fonda, Hotel Santa Fe, The Sage Inn<br />The Inn of the Governors, La Posada de Santa Fe, Casa Cuma B&B, <br />Old Santa Fe Inn, The Eldorado Hotel & Spa, Inn at Santa Fe<br />Inn on the Alameda, Inn of the Five Graces, Silver Saddle Motel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On October 15th, thirteen properties
of Santa Fe received notification from HospitalityGreen (HG) that they had passed
the requirements of Phase 1 of the Green Concierge Certification® program. In early October a site audit was conducted at each of the properties.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Each property met the initial
requirements of the Phase 1. F</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">or completing Phase One, t</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">he property was issued by HG</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">a report card on the status of their certification,
a Green Page stating their commitments and validation of their green
initiatives and permission to use the HG icon.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Green Page along
with the HG icon can be placed on their websites and available for customers and
employees to read.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In order to meet the first tier, the bronze level, of
the Green Concierge Certification</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">®</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> each property must undergo the site audit,
meet multiple standards and provide resource usage for a minimum of six months.
Each property will need to meet the bronze requirements on or before January
31, 2014 in order to be certified by HG this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Evadne Giannini, founder of HospitalityGreen
spoke at the Green Lodging Initiatives Working Group local partners meeting.
She said, “Each of these properties is totally unique. Many are privately owned
and have been established for generations in Santa Fe. Their understanding and
appreciation for both the culture and the environment is revealed throughout. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is most rewarding to be working
with some of the oldest hotels in the country and to see that, yes, from Route 66 original motels to historic luxury properties green
practices can be implemented and achieve extraordinary results.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is much easier to implement
sustainable initiatives on newer properties. It takes creativity, resourcefulness
and a dedication to achieve this level of results on older properties. These properties should be recognized as leaders
in the industry. Over the next few months, we look forward to publishing more information
on each of them.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Felicity Broennan, Executive Director
of the Santa Fe Watershed Association said, “It is our intention that the guests
of Santa Fe will recognize our individual lodger’s commitments to
sustainability and participate in the conservation of the precious resources available
to us here in Santa Fe.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 132%;">The
<i>Santa Fe Green Lodging Initiative is </i>a
public-private sector collaboration spearheaded by the SFWA and funded by a
$49,700 grant awarded to the Watershed Association by the federal Environmental
Protection Agency. The SFWA contracted H</span><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">ospitalityGreenLLC to provide training,
one-on-one technical assistance, and to implement the Green Concierge
Certification® to the lodging providers of Santa Fe. It is the intention of the program to </span><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">work with the Santa Fe partners to help
brand Santa Fe as an eco-tourist destination.</span><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">For more information on the Santa Fe Green Lodging Initiative: </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"><b>Contact</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Adrianne Picciano, Project Coordinator</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">HospitalityGreen</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;">Tel: (845)-436-6173</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Email: <a href="mailto:a.picciano@hospitalitygreen.com">a.picciano@hospitalitygreen.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hospitalitygreen.com/">www.hospitalitygreen.com</a></span></div>
HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-87942404459909638232013-08-31T07:19:00.000-07:002013-08-31T07:19:31.035-07:00<h1 class="articleHead" style="background-color: white; color: #3774b0; display: inline; float: left; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Arial; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px; padding: 3px 0px; text-align: left; width: 650px;">
Group finds cutting waste yields savings</h1>
<div class="bdySubTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px; text-align: center;">
Program targets resorts' use</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0OO26a0LBuxk9hgMLVEXcOauqh4EeSdnQN6JMf7VzLe7s-EMXBFVnFRk1vctFdLuun3VXC_h2b6uyn1XgGSCMyVgDf1YVt6uG9lcEsJ4lo7WhrRXB79QggemMhyphenhyphenUagHAlpkWlpvzXTl4/s1600/EG+at+Villa+Roma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0OO26a0LBuxk9hgMLVEXcOauqh4EeSdnQN6JMf7VzLe7s-EMXBFVnFRk1vctFdLuun3VXC_h2b6uyn1XgGSCMyVgDf1YVt6uG9lcEsJ4lo7WhrRXB79QggemMhyphenhyphenUagHAlpkWlpvzXTl4/s320/EG+at+Villa+Roma.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px; text-align: justify;">Evadne Giannini’s company, Hospitality Green, helps businesses save money by being environmentally friendly, such as going through the recyclables at the Villa Roma Resort to help the hotel reduce its waste.</span><span class="photoCredit" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;">DOMINICK FIORILLE/ Times Herald-Record</span><span class="photoCredit" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"><div class="noindex" style="background-color: white; clear: left; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
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<span class="by" style="color: rgb(55, 116, 176) !important; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">By </span><span class="byline" style="color: #043d63; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">Leonard Sparks</span></div>
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Times Herald-Record</div>
<div class="bylineDate" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, serif; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px;">
Published: 2:00 AM - 08/31/13</div>
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MOUNTAINDALE — Villa Roma maintenance Manager Bill Andrews parked a passenger van in the resort's Dumpster yard and Evadne Giannini got out and began inspecting clear bags filled with money.</div>
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Inside were bottles and cans collected as part of a recycling program expected to save Villa Roma more than $100,000 this year. Giannini was checking the purity of the program, which was launched with the aid of Mountaindale-based business Hospitality Green. She peered into bags to ensure they were free of other waste.</div>
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"This is money for them," said Giannini, the company's principal.</div>
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Reducing waste to yield savings for hotel and other clients, and showing how "green" products can protect employees and guests, is a growth industry for Hospitality Green as businesses pursue savings and travelers prioritize hotels using sustainable practices.</div>
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Giannini and her contract employees can be found looking through Dumpsters and trash bags, following trash haulers around and checking supply closets to see where clients can reduce waste and replace hazardous chemicals.</div>
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"We have to get under the hood," Giannini said.</div>
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Zero waste is the goal for <a href="http://www.hospitalitygreen.com/" target="_blank">Hospitality Green</a>, whose local clients includes SUNY Sullivan and The Sullivan hotel.</div>
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To achieve that, the company recruits all levels of a business' operations, from maintenance and cleaning staff to supply purchasers and food service workers.</div>
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The benefit of junking incandescent bulbs in favor of longer-lasting CFLs and LEDs, thereby saving on replacement costs, is part of the mix.</div>
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So are composting and recycling, which can save on Dumpster and landfill costs, and green cleaning products, which can reduce worker health costs and appeal to guests sensitive to the odor of some chemicals.</div>
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Convincing all employees to buy in to sustainable practices is the key, Giannini said.</div>
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"Our job is to figure out a way to bring this rather complicated information to people where they can understand they can make a difference," she said.</div>
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One client, Dover Downs, saved about $250,000 on its landfill bill by diverting recyclables from its trash stream, Giannini said. Villa Roma expects to save significant amounts on the single-stream recycling program launched in June.</div>
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"A lot of people have the belief that going green is a lot of money," said Bill Andrews, the resort's maintenance manager. "But the overall savings, there's no comparison."</div>
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Villa Roma eliminated three Dumpsters and cut back on the frequency of pickups, which cost $150 per pickup plus $70 for each ton of trash.</div>
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Andrews predicts the savings may double next year.</div>
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"Not only is it great for the hotel, it's great for the environment," he said.</div>
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<a href="mailto:lsparks@th-record.com" style="color: #3774b0; text-decoration: none;">lsparks@th-record.com</a> </div>
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HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-65951734251888495392013-06-02T21:32:00.000-07:002013-06-02T21:32:11.654-07:00The Weight of Water Part 2: Desert Droughts & Deluges<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwQTfW1wq_syvqaVJJ7L9BOkL3bfjqxhknnyl5iHr9ZOa7jY3UyR1nP3aIwO6J7KWH70OrYhFU6LBYtcGRfN_ZtyguLq32barZnyzdzLCKKLNyV1RDGYL1Te0G1OG6F2N588RlbC01cIR/s1600/Storm+descending.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwQTfW1wq_syvqaVJJ7L9BOkL3bfjqxhknnyl5iHr9ZOa7jY3UyR1nP3aIwO6J7KWH70OrYhFU6LBYtcGRfN_ZtyguLq32barZnyzdzLCKKLNyV1RDGYL1Te0G1OG6F2N588RlbC01cIR/s320/Storm+descending.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm Descending</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Turn on almost any faucet in Santa
Fe and clear, clean free-flowing water will come out. This is a miracle. Where
I live, just 20 miles south, water doesn’t come as easily. My house has no water source – no water lines, no well
– other than rainwater from the sky. It rains less than a foot a year in
this part of New Mexico, most of it in the summer months, and on more than one
occasion, I have turned on the tap and had nothing come out.<br />
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It’s true what they say: there is
no shortage of water in the desert, but exactly the right amount. Living off
rainwater in the desert takes vision: you have to be able to see past dryness
to the deluge so when rain does come, often in the form of a sudden, biblical downpour,
you are ready to collect as much rainwater as possible.</div>
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Floods are as much a part of this
place as drought. As dry as the desert appears
much of the year, its shape is dominated by the running of water. Since it’s
dry most of the time, the soil doesn't seem to know what to do with water when
it does come and storm scars cut deep and last for years. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQNJDgiFPYtQsHD7EUk1On_3JIjNhKWpN9M4wxBc8t2C0gPbzoVrn1NKSMSrZDI6W8fZOoidU3bFC9KceP0yR1UWZ_6_hoze_POXhJVhKv_cIv-Q-svYspsCeengg1uKsMw-EDPYF_3vn/s1600/Horses+crossing+arroyo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQNJDgiFPYtQsHD7EUk1On_3JIjNhKWpN9M4wxBc8t2C0gPbzoVrn1NKSMSrZDI6W8fZOoidU3bFC9KceP0yR1UWZ_6_hoze_POXhJVhKv_cIv-Q-svYspsCeengg1uKsMw-EDPYF_3vn/s200/Horses+crossing+arroyo.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horses crossing an arroyo</td></tr>
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Arroyos are the great gutters of
this desert: rivulets lead to small gullies and then larger ones, which empty
into the deep arroyos that, a few times a year, I’m told, flow in white caps
down to the Galisteo River. Knowing the arroyos as deep, dry scars, I found it
hard to fathom them full of water, until I witnessed an August flash flood.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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One minute it was sunny, then it
was a bit overcast, then rain was coming down in buckets. Rain is rare enough
here to warrant stopping what you're doing to go watch it from the porch. But
this time my porch was already soaked. This storm was something different. The
rain was falling sideways and upside down, the wind-driven drops pelting so
hard that when they hit they bounced back up towards the sky.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Squinting through the
downpour, I saw a rushing, chocolate brown river raging across my driveway.
This was the storm I had been waiting to see! I pulled on my water shoes and
grabbed my camera and ran out into the rain. The driveway river was running
fast and high enough that I would not attempt to drive across it. I turned
upstream and plunged into the knee-deep fast running water without bothering to
roll up my pant legs. Pants be damned; I had a waterfall to see!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sloshed upstream,
towards the spot I'd always planned on heading in the event of a storm like
this: a spillway of red sandstone evidently sculpted by past floods less than a
quarter mile from my house. The violent current was knee deep and frothy brown,
like a melted chocolate shake – the good kind, thick with cream – and nearly as
cold. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjNq0RI1DfFhfTMU8W9X5gk0rsnAi4N9rA83d911Xg7g4w_N71Wwvp1JqF_WBBkhTezOdJSC5Ic3xYmw9zlDHkjAkiLS90vrHOm0kOUswfNq3xuPPvY22l0ipTehx7iK4Lcn5Zw5iQHvz/s1600/Desert+waterfall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjNq0RI1DfFhfTMU8W9X5gk0rsnAi4N9rA83d911Xg7g4w_N71Wwvp1JqF_WBBkhTezOdJSC5Ic3xYmw9zlDHkjAkiLS90vrHOm0kOUswfNq3xuPPvY22l0ipTehx7iK4Lcn5Zw5iQHvz/s200/Desert+waterfall.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
Following
the roaring, sloshing river between the high arroyo banks, water borne debris –
sticks and rocks and I hoped not rattlesnakes– pelted my submerged feet and
wrapped around my legs and I was glad for the long pants, though they were
soaked and filthy. I rounded a few bends in the river and arrived to an
incredible scene: raging water had transformed the usually dusty dry place and
save for the familiar rocks crowning the falls, I hardly recognized it.<br />
<br />
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Rain was
pouring, thunder was rumbling, lightning was clapping and the waterfall was
glorious, falling like rushing chocolate and churning madly at my feet. A flood in the desert! I had to see it to believe it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54dSyBV59KDFPrf2D9HX2DdGIFeV08xzjyI-lLbIS_QErraMCcM4QvHcrHSslbiaIg8z-PjqcClVnNkEnRuWCd6LPYVEI-Jmms86fNZ-uE8e8_0EsT-B1Z1DS7-lsW338pXhJrvxlgqQg/s1600/Flash+flood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54dSyBV59KDFPrf2D9HX2DdGIFeV08xzjyI-lLbIS_QErraMCcM4QvHcrHSslbiaIg8z-PjqcClVnNkEnRuWCd6LPYVEI-Jmms86fNZ-uE8e8_0EsT-B1Z1DS7-lsW338pXhJrvxlgqQg/s200/Flash+flood.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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In a one-inch rainstorm, a
thousand square foot roof will catch 650 gallons of water. In that one
spectacular summer storm – which loosed more rain than in the previous nine
months combined – my roof collected enough water to last me through most of the
winter. And that’s not even as wet as it gets out here. Heading west from my house across
BLM land, I can hike to the Galisteo Dam, a massive flood control dam built in
1965 to hold back 100-year floods. As far as I know, they've never come, but
there’s still time.</div>
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Standing at the top, on the
edge of the dam, among bright red and pure white sandstone slabs – the red
dotted with chartreuse lichen, the white decorated with delicate fossils of
frozen grass – I finally saw the need for the dam: the land below is
rippled by giant flood waves. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Only from this vantage, high above
the desert, could I begin to grasp the vast expanse of time preserved here.
Millions of years ago, this landscape was underwater, drowned beneath an inland
shallow sea. Much later the Cerrillos Hills and Ortiz Mountains littered the
ground with glittering shards of volcanic rock. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9fz7D3hz7SErHG7vSIk_2YciCvJztRbKvFSgIKeAM9fZ7zCM-HB-TZQP9JvTIzc5XCD9wwzl028HSy60Ity760OtswvPZk1sXSsOB4UDE0CX28KG4hFnVStDmaCmBlvxUzTytoPtKkAN/s1600/CerrillosHillsSummit_MCMorton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9fz7D3hz7SErHG7vSIk_2YciCvJztRbKvFSgIKeAM9fZ7zCM-HB-TZQP9JvTIzc5XCD9wwzl028HSy60Ity760OtswvPZk1sXSsOB4UDE0CX28KG4hFnVStDmaCmBlvxUzTytoPtKkAN/s320/CerrillosHillsSummit_MCMorton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cerrillos Hills Summit</td></tr>
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<o:p> </o:p>This desert is made up of millions
of years of these layers, layers of Earth, layers of life. Studying these layers
from the top of the dam, our own layer of Earth, the uppermost crust we live
upon, love upon, ransack and pollute upon, becomes ever so humbly thin.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The rains will always come again,
but there’s no telling when. In our lifetimes the deserts are desertifying:
trending drier and drier, with longer and longer waits between deluges. How dry
is too dry? How long is too long? Better to learn the weight of water, before
those miraculously free flowing taps run dry. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-size: 22px;">About The Author</span></em></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mary Caperton Morton is a freelance writer,
photographer and professional housesitter who makes her home on the back roads
of rural North America, living and working out of a solar-powered Teardrop
camper. When she’s not at the wheel or the keyboard, she can be found outside,
hiking, climbing mountains and taking photographs. Follow her travels at </span><a href="http://www.theblondecoyote.com/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">www.theblondecoyote.com</a> </o:p></div>
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<br />HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-74548912578127956432013-04-29T12:04:00.000-07:002013-04-29T12:05:06.226-07:00The Santa Fe Green Lodging Initiative receives the Sustainable Santa Fe Award for Green Economic Development <br />
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The Santa Fe Green Lodging Initiative receives the Sustainable
Santa Fe Award for Green Economic Development </span><br />
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<i>Santa Fe, New Mexico - April 27, 2013 - </i>Felicity Broennan of the
Santa Fe Watershed Association, spear heading the public-private sector
collaboration called the <i>Santa Fe Green
Lodging Initiative,</i> received today the 2013 Sustainable Santa Fe Award for
Green Economic Development at the Eldorado Hotel, located<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span>at
309 W. San Francisco Street in Santa Fe. The 2013 Sustainable Santa Fe Awards
are sponsored by the City’s Sustainable Santa Fe Commission, Earth Care NM,
Green Fire Times, and the Green Chamber of Commerce. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Santa Fe hosts more than one
million tourists every year. While tourism is an important part of the Santa Fe
economy, tourism puts considerable pressure on the environmental resources of
the city. In 2012, The Santa Fe Watershed Association (SFWA) was awarded an 18
month grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to partner with
the City, lodging associations and providers to develop Santa Fe’s <i>Green Lodging Initiative. </i>The initiative
was undertaken to generate economic development and to work with lodging providers
to help conserve water and reduce chemical pollutants entering the Santa Fe
watershed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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SFWA contracted HospitalityGreen
LLC, founder of the nationally-recognized <i>Green
Concierge Certification</i>® program, to provide Santa Fe lodging providers
training, coaching, and individualized technical assistance that leads to
third-party green certification. <o:p></o:p></div>
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HospitalityGreen LLC’s work in
the Catskills <span style="background: white;">resulted in measured environmental
and financial outcomes. Participating businesses diverted at least 2,640 tons
of waste and increased occupancy in 2011 by 20 – 25%.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Certifying over 20 properties helped
legitimately brand the Catskills as a green destination resulting in increased
tourism and local jobs. Similar results
are expected from the <i>Santa Fe Green Lodging
Initiative.</i></span><i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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The <i>Santa Fe Green Lodging
Initiative</i> was launched in November 2012 and fourteen Santa Fe
properties representing B&Bs,
hotels, inns, motels, and resorts qualified for participation including: La Fonda on the Plaza, La Posada de Santa Fe
Resort and Spa, Old Santa Fe Inn, Inn on the Alameda, Silver Saddle Motel,
Eldorado Hotel and Spa, Santa Fe Sage Inn, Hotel Santa Fe, Inn of the
Governors, Ten Thousand Waves, Inn at Santa Fe, Inn of the Five Graces, Fort
Marcy Suites, and Casa Cuma Bed and Breakfast.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;">By adopting
streamlined sustainable practices, these lodging providers will save money, </span></span><span style="background: white;">upgrade their facility to meet growing market
expectations, and increase their competitive advantage in an expanding green
hospitality marketplace. </span><br />
<span style="background: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Evadne Giannini</span></b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">, Founder
and <st1:stockticker w:st="on">CEO</st1:stockticker> of HospitalityGreen LLC, said “We are honored to be working with this
exciting public-private partnership and to be awarded </span><span style="line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">the 2013 Sustainable Santa Fe
Award for Green Economic Development.</span><span style="color: #0b6577; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b6577; line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span><b style="line-height: 132%;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">The Santa Fe
Watershed Association</span></b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"> (SFWA) </span><span style="line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><a href="http://www.santafewatershed.org/">www.santafewatershed.org</a></span><span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">builds
vibrant, resilient ecosystems within the Santa Fe River Watershed using a
holistic approach of restoration, education, stewardship, and advocacy. </span><span style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Santa Fe Green
Lodging Initiative’s growing directory of local partners includes</span></i></b><b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">: </span></b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Iskoola Pota"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Santa Fe Watershed Association, Santa Fe Convention and Visitors
Bureau, City of Santa Fe Environmental Services Division, New Mexico Lodging
Association, Santa Fe Lodgers Association, Santa Fe Community College, New
Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce, Santa Fe Chapter, Inn of the Governors, La
Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa, and the Inn and Spa at Loretto. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">HospitalityGreen LLC, </span></b><a href="http://bit.ly/15EHCBa"><span style="line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">www.hospitalitygreen.com</span></a><b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 132%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">is a New York based consulting firm specializing in
environmental and operations consulting services. HospitalityGreen partners
with service-based and product-based clients throughout the hospitality,
manufacturing and institutional healthcare industries, to implement sustainable
business practices. We provide services
for our client not to them. Our goal is to create for our client’s
environmental capital one facility at a time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">For more information on
HospitalityGreen and the Green Concierge Certification™, visit</span><span style="line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">
</span><a href="http://bit.ly/15EHCBa"><span style="line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">www.hospitalitygreen.com</span></a><span style="line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"> or call (845)
436-6173.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">CONTACT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Adrianne Picciano, Project Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">HospitalityGreen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ContactBlock">
<span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Tel: (845) 436-6173<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="ContactBlock">
<span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Email:</span><span style="line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span><a href="mailto:a.picciano@hospitalitygreen.com"><span style="line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">a.picciano@hospitalitygreen.com</span></a><span style="line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Website:</span><span style="color: windowtext; line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://bit.ly/15EHCBa"><span style="line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">www.hospitalitygreen.com</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 135%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-47982030575563471562013-04-24T13:08:00.001-07:002013-04-24T13:08:22.399-07:00PEST MANAGEMENT RESOURCES<br />
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">EPA and NPMA Partner to Promote Bed Bug Awareness</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">The EPA is partnering with the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) to help raise public awareness about bed bugs and what people can do to help curb infestations. The EPA has resources for communities to learn how to prevent, detect and control bed bug infestations. Obtaining accurate information is the first step in both prevention and control. While there are no quick fixes scientists are working on a non-chemical remedy they believe will be fail proof once developed. This development was featured in a <a href="http://nyti.ms/14Q3sCy">New York Times article in April 2013.</a> Currently, there are effective strategies to control bed bugs using both non-chemical and chemical methods.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Simple precautions can help prevent bed bug infestation in your home:</span></div>
<ul style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="" style="color: #555555; margin: 0in 0in 1.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Check secondhand furniture, beds and couches for any signs of bed bug infestation before bringing them home.</span></li>
<li class="" style="color: #555555; margin: 0in 0in 1.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Reduce clutter in your home to reduce hiding places for bed bugs.</span></li>
<li class="" style="color: #555555; margin: 0in 0in 1.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">When traveling, use hotel room luggage racks to hold your luggage when packing or unpacking rather than setting your luggage on the bed or floor.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">The EPA has the following bed bug resources:</span></div>
<ul style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="" style="color: #555555; margin: 0in 0in 1.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Bed Bug Information website:<br /><a href="http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/bedbugs/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3864a3;">http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/<wbr></wbr>bedbugs/</span></a></span></li>
<li class="" style="color: #555555; margin: 0in 0in 1.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Bed Bug Clearinghouse:<br /><a href="http://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/bedbug-clearinghouse.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3864a3;">http://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/<wbr></wbr>bedbug-clearinghouse.html</span></a></span></li>
<li class="" style="color: #555555; margin: 0in 0in 1.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Ten Tips to Prevent Bed Bugs:<br /><a href="http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/bed-bugs-faq-fs.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3864a3;">http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/<wbr></wbr>factsheets/bed-bugs-faq-fs.<wbr></wbr>html</span></a></span></li>
<li class="" style="color: #555555; margin: 0in 0in 1.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Travelers: Beware of Bed Bugs!” – handy reminder cards:<br /><a href="http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/Publications/bedbug-traveler.pdf" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3864a3;">http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/<wbr></wbr>Publications/bedbug-traveler.<wbr></wbr>pdf</span></a></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: auto 0in 1.5pt;">
<strong><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Bed Bugs in Schools Webinar</span></strong></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: auto 0in 1.5pt;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">On Thursday, April 25 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm ET, the EPA and the NPMA will co-host the webinar <em>Understanding Bed Bugs in Schools</em>. Presentations will describe proactive steps, such as how to prevent bed bugs, and how to manage bed bug hot spots in schools. To register for the webinar, please visit <a href="https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/775395562" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3864a3;">https://www2.gotomeeting.com/<wbr></wbr>register/775395562</span></a></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: auto 0in 1.5pt;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">The National Pest Management Association is a gold-level member of the EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) and has declared April 22-26 Bed Bug Awareness Week. To learn more about PESP, go to <a href="http://www.epa.gov/pesp/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3864a3;">http://www.epa.gov/pesp/</span></a>.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: auto 0in 1.5pt;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">For information from the NPMA on bed bugs, visit <a href="http://www.pestworld.org/all-things-bed-bugs/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3864a3;">http://www.pestworld.org/all-<wbr></wbr>things-bed-bugs/</span></a>.</span></div>
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HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-45898848150149430662013-01-05T22:25:00.000-08:002013-01-05T22:25:01.792-08:00The Weight of Water by: Mary Caperton Morton<br />
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Water weighs 8 pounds per gallon. If that doesn’t sound heavy, you’ve never been hiking in the desert with a day’s worth of drink on your back. I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains, but I didn’t learn the weight of water until I moved to New Mexico, where water is rare and precious and worth its considerable weight in blue gold.<br />
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In New Mexico, I lived off the map, caretaking a place in the wide open deserts just south of Santa Fe. The place was more than a house. It was an Earthship: an off-grid passive solar adobe, adrift on acres of land. The house wasn’t connected to the outside world by wires or pipes, only a long rough and rutted dirt road. My power and my water both came from the sky and if I wanted to run out for milk, it was a two-hour round trip into town.</div>
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The Earthship was an isolated place, but it afforded rare freedoms. Out there, I could hike in any direction to the horizon, down endless trails across open country. Between the paths, the place was wild, undulating madly in plunging arroyos and tilted sandstone. On foot, my favorite way to travel, it was a tremendous, uncharted place.</div>
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As well as I came to know the landscape around me – its contours and secrets – so I came to know myself: I knew exactly how much electricity I burned in a day, how much water I let drain in a shower. I knew how quickly I went through a bag of beans, how long I could go before I pined for town, for Santa Fe’s bright colors, its rush of voices, the thrill of a menu, a taste of the outside world. Often, weeks would pass without wanting to be anywhere but out there in all that free open space.</div>
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Living in such a wild, remote place has its challenges, the greatest of which was the lack of free-flowing water. The Earthship had no water source – no water lines, no well – other than the sky. The building’s metal roof could collect hundreds of gallons of water during a good rain, the water gushing noisily through the gutters into two 1500-gallon water cisterns buried beneath the house.</div>
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Of course it doesn’t rain much in New Mexico, on average less than twelve inches per year – this year, so far, has loosed less than six – mostly in late summer. During dry spells I called Joe, a Navajo with a big red truck that dragged an old wheeled water tank. Joe charged $40, cash, for 400 gallons of water, delivered. I mostly used the cistern water for the Earthship’s sinks and shower, the grey water that flowed down the drains went out to water the plants and to fill the toilet and bought drinking water in 5-gallon reusable jugs. On average, I used around 50 gallons of water a week. The average American household uses more than 350 gallons of water a day.</div>
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On three occasions, twice my first winter and once last year, I turned on the tap and nothing came out. That was when I learned the true weight of water. When nothing comes out of the tap but a desperate gurgling noise, the weight of water is soul crushing. Suddenly, four walls, a roof, and plenty of food, all mean nothing. Without water, you have no home. In the desert, without water, you are nothing.</div>
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Visitors to Santa Fe seldom know the weight of water, but they’ll soon memorize those ubiquitous signs above every sink in the city: <em>Water is a finite resource, please conserve</em>.</div>
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What effect the signs have on people, as they stand at the sink, washing their hands, brushing their teeth, I don’t know. What effect they have once people go home, to places richer in water than New Mexico, is even less certain. I know when I stand at a sink where the water flows free, I am thankful for every drop. Perhaps every now and then, taps in Santa Fe should run dry with an empty, ominous gurgle. Then perhaps more people would feel, know and remember the true weight of water.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12px;">I have been away from the Earthship’s extreme asceticism for nearly nine months now, enjoying a winter back east, closer to my roots. But even here, the sound of rain on the roof in the middle of the night is enough to jolt me out of a deep sleep, anxious to check the gutters on the (now nonexistent) rainwater collection system. Every time I turn on the tap and water flows freely, I think of the desert and the awful, desperation of running out. I hope I will feel the weight of water for the rest of my life.</span></div>
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Mary Caperton Morton is a freelance writer, photographer and professional housesitter who makes her home on the back roads of rural North America, living and working out of a solar-powered Teardrop camper. When she’s not at the wheel or the keyboard, she can be found outside, hiking, climbing mountains and taking photographs. Follow her travels at <a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/rclick.php?d=6tXppkIHVe-jc-u6dbBXrkgsDW7ZYCor&w=3&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theblondecoyote.com%2F" style="color: rgb(247, 56, 168) !important;">www.theblondecoyote.com</a>. </div>
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HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-50976964959470122332012-12-21T13:44:00.002-08:002012-12-21T13:47:28.588-08:00HG's Green Concierge Certification Program is launched in Santa Fe, New Mexico<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcuDJ4iQIQMEKbsiAXpSZto3E2I4gozwXF4uXBf1og2FXuf8yFNq2U-KZcCCedGxnvW450R4gRGV8Ss4nucMFotvSqX_Fobtb3OXWtu_BjqtMGoD7sE2t9XXgQ4syd9_m1J5oS16lpa5Y/s1600/Inn+and+spa+at+Loretto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcuDJ4iQIQMEKbsiAXpSZto3E2I4gozwXF4uXBf1og2FXuf8yFNq2U-KZcCCedGxnvW450R4gRGV8Ss4nucMFotvSqX_Fobtb3OXWtu_BjqtMGoD7sE2t9XXgQ4syd9_m1J5oS16lpa5Y/s1600/Inn+and+spa+at+Loretto.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #133505; font-family: 'Segoe UI'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.383333206176758px;">SANTA FE, N.M.—The Santa Fe Watershed Association (SFWA) has launched a public-private sector collaboration called the Santa Fe Green Lodging Initiative. The initiative is being funded by a $49,700 grant awarded to the Watershed Association by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. SFWA supports Santa Fe’s hospitality industry to save money, conserve water, and decrease chemical pollution going into their watershed. “This is a certification program that helps hotels set achievable goals commensurate with their capabilities,” Watershed Association executive director, Felicity Broennan said. “More than one million tourists visit Santa Fe each year. While they are welcomed and are an important part of our economy, they also put considerable pressure on our environmental resources.”</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #133505; font-family: 'Segoe UI'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.383333206176758px;">Over the next 12 months, HospitalityGreen LLC, a New York-based firm specializing in environmental and operations consulting services and founder of the nationally recognized Green Concierge Certification program, will provide technical assistance, green team training and customized coaching free of charge to 15 lodging providers in Santa Fe. HospitalityGreen (HG) will conduct third party assessments of each property in November 2013. The assessment will determine if the individual property has met the rigors of the Green Concierge Certification. The certification requires that a property meet multiple standards and track resource usage with HospitalityGreen’s proprietary resource tracking tools for a minimum of six months.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #133505; font-family: 'Segoe UI'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.383333206176758px;">HG’s work in the Catskills resulted in measured environmental and financial outcomes. Participating businesses diverted at least 2,640 tons of waste to reuse or recycling, saved approximately $324,900, and increased occupancy by 20 to 25 percent. Certifying more than 20 properties helped brand the Catskills as a green destination resulting in increased tourism and local jobs.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #133505; font-family: 'Segoe UI'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.383333206176758px;">“We are honored to have been chosen to bring our program to Santa Fe,” said Evadne Giannini, founder and CEO of HospitalityGreen LLC. “We look forward to sharing ideas, assisting the properties to meet the certification standards and working with the Santa Fe partners to help brand Santa Fe as an eco-tourist destination.”</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #133505; font-family: 'Segoe UI'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.383333206176758px;">The Santa Fe Green Lodging Initiative’s growing directory of local partners includes: Santa Fe Watershed Assn.; Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau; City of Santa Fe Environmental Services Division; New Mexico Lodging Assn.; Santa Fe Lodgers Assn.; Santa Fe Community College; New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce, Santa Fe Chapter; Inn of the Governors; La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa; and the Inn and Spa at Loretto. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #133505; font-family: 'Segoe UI'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.383333206176758px;">Go to </span><a href="http://www.hospitalitygreen.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #458e26; font-family: 'Segoe UI'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.383333206176758px;">HospitalityGreen</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #133505; font-family: 'Segoe UI'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.383333206176758px;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #133505; font-family: 'Segoe UI'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.366666793823242px;">Picture courtesy of Inn and Spa at Loretto.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #133505; font-family: 'Segoe UI'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.383333206176758px;"><br /></span>HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-30591342992111877552012-11-27T18:17:00.000-08:002012-11-27T18:17:25.410-08:00Santa Fe Green Lodging Initiative<br />
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Watershed Project: Get Hotels Greener</h1>
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<span class="meta-author">By <a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/main/author/khay" rel="author" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: initial;" title="Posts by Kiera Hay / Journal North Reporter">Kiera Hay / Journal North Reporter</a></span> <span class="meta-date">on Fri, Nov 23, 2012</span><span class="facebook" style="float: right; width: 75px;"><fb:like class="fb_edge_widget_with_comment fb_iframe_widget" fb-xfbml-state="rendered" layout="button_count" show_faces="true" style="display: inline-block; position: relative;" width="55"><span style="display: inline-block; height: 20px; position: relative; text-align: justify; vertical-align: text-bottom; width: 71px;"><iframe class="fb_ltr" id="f3252fd86" name="f1e045cbac" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?api_key=419447351433280&locale=en_US&sdk=joey&channel_url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.facebook.com%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter.php%3Fversion%3D17%23cb%3Df366b8a1c%26origin%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.abqjournal.com%252Ff13c37a878%26domain%3Dwww.abqjournal.com%26relation%3Dparent.parent&href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abqjournal.com%2Fmain%2F2012%2F11%2F23%2Fnorth%2Fwatershed-project-get-hotels-greener.html&node_type=link&width=90&layout=button_count&colorscheme=light&show_faces=false&extended_social_context=false" style="border-style: none; height: 20px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; width: 71px;" title="Like this content on Facebook."></iframe></span></fb:like></span><span style="float: right; width: 35px;"><g:plusone count="false" size="medium"></g:plusone></span><span class="twitter" style="float: right; width: 85px;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" class="twitter-share-button twitter-count-horizontal" data-twttr-rendered="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets/tweet_button.1352365724.html#_=1354068801823&count=horizontal&id=twitter-widget-0&lang=en&original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abqjournal.com%2Fmain%2F2012%2F11%2F23%2Fnorth%2Fwatershed-project-get-hotels-greener.html&size=m&text=ABQJournal%20Online%20%C2%BB%20Watershed%20Project%3A%20Get%20Hotels%20Greener&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abqjournal.com%2Fmain%2F2012%2F11%2F23%2Fnorth%2Fwatershed-project-get-hotels-greener.html&via=abqjournal" style="height: 20px; width: 110px;" title="Twitter Tweet Button"></iframe></span><span class="print" style="float: right; width: 20px;"><div style="margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px;">
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The Santa Fe Watershed Association plans to roll out a pilot project next month aimed at helping local hotels take their eco-friendliness to the next level. </div>
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Dubbed the Green Lodging Initiative, the effort will include helping hotels better conserve water and reduce the amount of chemicals and other pollutants they release into the environment. “We’re really interested in helping lodging facilities streamline their resources,” Watershed Association executive director Felicity Broennan said.</div>
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The initiative is being funded by a $49,700 grant awarded to the Watershed Association by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The Watershed Association is contracting with HospitalityGreen, a New York company, to analyze the operations of participating hotels and provide them with recommendations on becoming greener. </div>
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That could involve looking at what kind of soap or light bulbs the hotels use, or how they distribute toiletries. </div>
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It’s “all of these things we don’t think about when we’re in a hotel room, yet if all that stuff is getting washed down the drain, it has an impact on the river,” watershed and other natural resources, Broennan said. </div>
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A Watershed Association news release noted that “more than one million tourists visit Santa Fe each year. </div>
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“While they are welcomed and are an important part of our economy, they also put considerable pressure on our environmental resources.” </div>
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The idea is to help hotels set achievable goals commensurate with their capabilities, Broennan said. “This is a certification program. It really includes a lot of training, a lot of measurement tracking tools, these customized programs. </div>
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“That is what makes all the difference,” she said. “It definitely is a commitment on the part of the hotels, but they don’t have to pay anything for it.” </div>
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As of last week, just a few hotels had signed up, including La Posada and Inn of the Governors. But several others have expressed interest, according to Broennan. The goal is to sign up 10-15 hotels, motels, resorts, B&Bs and other facilities. </div>
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Sam Gerberding, the general manager of Inn of the Governors on West Alameda Street, said the program is “a wonderful chance for the Santa Fe hotel community.” </div>
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Gerberding said he hopes it will help his inn save some money. He also said he wants to increase the hotel’s appeal to eco-conscious travelers. </div>
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“Over the years, we’ve been very conscientious about wanting to do more and being greener as a hotel, and we’ve integrated certain aspects of that throughout the years,” Gerberding said. “This is an exceptional opportunity for us. It will be helpful to have that little extra perspective and assistance in getting it off the ground.” </div>
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The EPA funding will cover a year of services, and the Watershed Association is looking at the program as a pilot project. The organization hopes to expand in the future. </div>
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“I’m hoping we’ll see some real measurable outcomes in pollution reduction and water conservation,” Broennan said. “And then we can grow the program to include a lot more hotels and restaurants, as well.” </div>
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As part of the initiative, the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico and Santa Fe Lodging Associations, Santa Fe Green Chamber of Commerce and a handful of local hotels and lodges have joined forces to create a related working group.</div>
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HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-74691330721593254482012-08-20T20:50:00.000-07:002012-08-20T20:52:13.027-07:00 LEED MEETS OPERATIONS <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xIpTGYFZYRAeNucpA7lNF-wBCsnMH-M5GVASt3Gx_13riliJqXjj_ljB_x14IOusyPPCaaorBRjD39G2kFXekU5KKWojNaLDgVCuLjMLStR6sXbgC-nSt0nwY57Gk2mpSMGrXk619DiF/s1600/NYC+Building+with+a+bridge+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xIpTGYFZYRAeNucpA7lNF-wBCsnMH-M5GVASt3Gx_13riliJqXjj_ljB_x14IOusyPPCaaorBRjD39G2kFXekU5KKWojNaLDgVCuLjMLStR6sXbgC-nSt0nwY57Gk2mpSMGrXk619DiF/s320/NYC+Building+with+a+bridge+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b6577; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">After the designers and engineers have created these glorious
constructions, someone will need to be there to operate and maintain them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">We
welcome LEED Professionals and Building Operators to a Breakfast Forum to
discuss their accomplishments and challenges in creating, preserving and
maintaining the built environment.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b6577; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Agenda<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">New
Horizons for LEED Certifications: For Facility Operators and LEED Professionals<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Case
Studies: The impact of operations on building design and maintenance <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Open
Forum: Barriers and Challenges in the new “Green Space”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b6577; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Forum
Presenters<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Evadne
Giannini, Principal, HospitalityGreen, LLC<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Jeff
Domanski, LEED AP; Former Director of Sustainability Strategies for
Cushman& Wakefield; Assistant Manager, Princeton University Office of
Sustainability<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">William
Sprengnether, Principal Landscape Architect at Cardinal Direction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b6577; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sept.11 SUNY Orange;
Newburgh, NY </span></b><b><span style="color: #0b6577; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">●</span></b><b><span style="color: #0b6577; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Sept. 18
SUNY Rockland; Suffern, NY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b6577; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sept. 25 SUNY Sullivan;
Loch Sheldrake, NY </span></b><b><span style="color: #0b6577; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">●</span></b><b><span style="color: #0b6577; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Oct. 2 SUNY Dutchess;
Poughkeepsie, NY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b6577; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Time: 9-10:15 AM </span></b><b><span style="color: #0b6577; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">● </span></b><b><span style="color: #0b6577; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">$10 Continental
Breakfast <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b6577; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">To Register:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Contact SUNY Sullivan at<b> 845-434-5750 ext. 4398<span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<o:p><b><span style="color: #0b6577; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Or email</span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;">:
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">scccworkforce@sunysullivan.edu</span></b> </o:p></div>
HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-84576071287139710442012-08-19T23:19:00.000-07:002012-08-19T23:19:11.628-07:00HospitalityGreen Chosen by Berkshire Regional Planning Commission to Assist the Hospitality Sector with Sustainability Practices<br />
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Through funds from the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission will provide technical assistance to the hospitality sector.</h3>
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Berkshire Region, MA (PRWEB) August 16, 2012</div>
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As part of furthering the “Sustainable Berkshires” regional plan, the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) has received a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide technical assistance on sustainability practices for the hospitality industry in Berkshire County. BRPC has contracted with HospitalityGreen LLC (HG) to be the local technical assistance provider for this project.</div>
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An initial survey of the lodging properties in Berkshire County will be conducted to help BRPC establish Berkshire Benchmarks for the hospitality sector. Ten qualified lodging properties will then be eligible to receive a confidential, third party assessment of their facility operations at no cost to their business. The facility assessment will help each property identify opportunities to save money, time and resources by implementing green practices in their operations management.</div>
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Conducted in the early fall of 2012, the facility assessments will identify practical recommendations for introducing energy efficient measures, water conservation practices, source reduction and recycling opportunities, purchasing policies and green cleaning practices. The recommendations will be based on improving the work environment and enhancing guest experience while simultaneously optimizing the financial benefits of “greening” a property. In previous projects, lodging facilities that have implemented improvements proposed in HG’s assessments have typically seen 12-15 percent increases in occupancy rate while saving thousands of dollars in annual operating costs.</div>
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Properties interested in pursuing the opportunity to improve their environmental impact while also reducing operational costs should contact Elizabeth Olenbush, HG’s Massachusetts Affiliate and BRPC Project Leader. Ms. Olenbush can be reached at e(dot)olenbush(at)hospitalitygreen(dot)com or by phone at (413)-229-6090.</div>
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The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is the official area-wide planning agency in Berkshire County. Comprehensive planning responsibilities include land use, transportation, economic development and environmental management. The commission is required to study the problems, needs and resources of the region and to make recommendations for physical, social, governmental and economic improvements in the Berkshires.</div>
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HospitalityGreen LLC is a New York based firm specializing in the implementation of sustainable business practices. HG offers environmental and operations training and consulting to clients throughout the hospitality, manufacturing and institutional healthcare industries. In Berkshire County, HG offers Green Facilities Training courses through Berkshire Community College and has recently completed a training course conducted under the auspices of the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board.</div>
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For more information on HospitalityGreen visit <a data-bitly-type="bitly_hover_card" href="http://www.hospitalitygreen.com/" style="color: #07689b; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">http://www.hospitalitygreen.com</a> or call (845) 436-6173.</div>
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HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-45055193454262577552012-07-17T09:42:00.000-07:002012-07-17T10:14:28.021-07:00How to Lower your Facility Operation Costs: Green Summer Tips<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkK0e0pk4gGH_wYQHADowkdjFpmzb4FoBJltIJkq981HNJiwpzDAAnQgQX09Xjww_I1WedDLdHJWsoJCrYTfAnv4wDlJdrBrGod8dDGEf0nfi_2L2qq4vuQo4yUE4j5dTddIGbqNdIlij/s1600/HG+Green+Facility+Tips+Blog+Post+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkK0e0pk4gGH_wYQHADowkdjFpmzb4FoBJltIJkq981HNJiwpzDAAnQgQX09Xjww_I1WedDLdHJWsoJCrYTfAnv4wDlJdrBrGod8dDGEf0nfi_2L2qq4vuQo4yUE4j5dTddIGbqNdIlij/s200/HG+Green+Facility+Tips+Blog+Post+Photo.jpg" width="200" /></a>As we continue on into the hot
summer months, businesses guzzle up more and more energy, and therefore cash,
to manage their facilities. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Fortunately, summer demands for
cool air and green grasses do not need to weigh so heavily on the bank account.
There are many ways to save energy and money in the summer at little to no cost
to your organization:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">1.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><b style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">Check air
conditioning filters.</b><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Dusty filters stifle air flow, making your air
conditioner work harder to cool the room. Examining these filters each month,
and cleaning or replacing them when necessary, can reduce energy costs by 5 to
15%.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. </span><b style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">Move
heat-producing appliances away from the thermostat. </b><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">Heat-producing
appliances, like televisions or lamps, near to the thermostat can trick it into
thinking the room temperature is higher than it is. Consequentially, your
thermostat will continue to cool when the facility is already at the desired
temperature.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">3.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">Close the
blinds.</b><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;"> In addition to light, heat transfers easily through window glass.
Keeping the heat out will reduce the temperature inside your facility, and
therefore, your air conditioning needs.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">4.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">Wash the
refrigerator seals.</b><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Stuck on food, dust and dirt may cause the seal to
remain partially open, allowing cool air to sneak out. Washing the seals every
few weeks will prevent unnecessary energy use.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">5.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">Cover
food and cap drinks in the refrigerator.</b><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Uncovered food and drinks create
moisture that causes the compressor to overwork. Making sure all fridge
contents are covered and lidded will increase the refrigerators efficiency.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">6.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">Add a
rain sensor to your sprinkler system.</b><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;"> A rain sensor detects the amount of
water the lawn receives from natural rainfall. Then, it adjusts the sprinkler
system to spray only the amount of water your lawn still needs. You can keep
your grasses green while minimizing water consumption and cost.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;">Significant reductions in energy
costs do not require big investments. The most expensive suggestion given here,
purchasing a rain sensor, is available for less than twenty dollars. With a few
simple steps, you can create greener, cheaper facility operations. </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-70172396857050843972012-06-14T11:45:00.000-07:002012-06-14T11:45:23.643-07:00HG Principal, Evadne Giannini, to Present in Zero Waste Webinar on June 27<br />
Interested in eliminating excessive waste at your company? Please join HospitalityGreen's Principal, Evadne Giannini, as she copresents in a <i>Zero Waste Through Green Business Programs</i> Webinar on Thursday, June 27 at 1:30pm.<br />
<br />
Please see the invitation below:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Zero Waste through Green Business Programs</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCSvnp6MVMSLs46yRymWqnhZF0MEQWpSp5pRdEoBhl1syExGiKUox52vO_sSuAPcAP8zS7eQFTxauvXu8XvWrh0xjL1l4IHr4TboN8CXyUMn-GkN8NXhxzbRng3WHIoxXhSl1dIrDRtVD/s1600/greenbridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCSvnp6MVMSLs46yRymWqnhZF0MEQWpSp5pRdEoBhl1syExGiKUox52vO_sSuAPcAP8zS7eQFTxauvXu8XvWrh0xjL1l4IHr4TboN8CXyUMn-GkN8NXhxzbRng3WHIoxXhSl1dIrDRtVD/s400/greenbridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Join us for a Webinar on June 27 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM EDT</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at:</span><br />
<a href="https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/663891458" style="background-color: white;">https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/663891458</a><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">U. S. EPA will be hosting this webinar in partnership with experts who work with businesses and sponsors of green business programs.</span>
<br />
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">Learn what motivates businesses to join a green business program</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">Discover what has made the Westchester County Green Business Challenge a success</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">Hear how county governments in Ohio and Pennsylvania </span><span style="background-color: white;">encourages green businesses </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Title:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Zero Waste through Green Business Programs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Date:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Wednesday, June 27, 2012</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Time:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>1:30 PM - 3:00 PM EDT</span>HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-42407474700709175632011-08-19T08:58:00.000-07:002011-09-29T15:45:29.466-07:00ATTENTION FACILITY MANAGERS: IT’S MORE THAN CHANGING LIGHT BULBS, IT’S CHANGING PEOPLE’S BEHAVIORS AS WELL<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAKA1tduNFZ4VaGhbGPBjPoQx-VMjGzJgkjh0N4slM51W7ZBgYfzvrdHxWmA3KqcuOalzfUArqqdo7J6Ihi4GLSJtj2SK9Tdys6SkbrU2nxg1QnFSyGAtyg_BEvI_uO7lZXXMsS76FpLZ/s1600/office+meeting.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAKA1tduNFZ4VaGhbGPBjPoQx-VMjGzJgkjh0N4slM51W7ZBgYfzvrdHxWmA3KqcuOalzfUArqqdo7J6Ihi4GLSJtj2SK9Tdys6SkbrU2nxg1QnFSyGAtyg_BEvI_uO7lZXXMsS76FpLZ/s200/office+meeting.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642601098859972578" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">School</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> districts around the country are notorious wasters of energy. With budgets tighter than ever, many institutions are finding ways to cut back on their excess energy usage.</span></p> <p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left: 0in;line-height:120%"><span style="line-height: 120%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Holmdel, New Jersey has saved close to $1,000,000 each year though improvements in energy efficiency. With the help of the district’s Energy Manager, William Balicki, the school has made some simple, but effective improvements, to remind students and staff of ways to save energy. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left: 0in;line-height:120%"><span style="line-height: 120%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">“Anytime we can ask people to physically do it, we do,” he said. “This is pretty much a people-based program. It’s changing behavior.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left: 0in;line-height:120%"><span style="line-height: 120%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Mount Sinai and Yonkers, among other school district, have also found quick, easy, ways to decrease energy spending such as turning off computers overnight and turning off classroom lights when the room is not in use.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 120%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; ">For the full article, please visit: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><u><a href="http://nyti.ms/pCYy5T">http://nyti.ms/pCYy5T</a></u></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; "><b style="line-height: 120%; "><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">LOOKING FOR WAYS TO SAVE YOUR COMPANY MONEY?</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="http://www.hospitalitygreen.com/">HospitalityGreen</a> (HG) will be offering a “Green Facility Managers Training” for managers and operators to learn how to evaluate and implement sustainable practices in two Massachusetts locations, Pittsfield and Holyoke.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">"Green Facility Training for Operations and Management" will be offered at Berkshire Community College’s Intermodal Education Center in Pittsfield on Wednesdays, Sept. 7 and 14, from 9am to 5pm.<span> </span>The course, “Green Facilities Training for Managers,” will also be offered at Holyoke Community College on Sept. 8 and 15, from 9am to 5pm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">The workshops will look at practical approaches to comprehensive facility assessments, developing an improvement plan and conducting a site audit. It will cover topics such as source reduction and usage, purchasing and marketing, contractual negotiations and green assessments. Green meeting standards and the LEED EB program will also be discussed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">The courses use the framework of a national certification program to teach participants how to implement water, energy and source reduction programs, lower their use of toxic chemicals, and source local "green" products and services. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="http://www.hospitalitygreen.com/">HospitalityGreen</a> (HG) offers an extensive tool box equipped with proprietary measurement and calculators tools as well as access to on line references, guide books and on site check lists through a customized class website. All participants are given a 12-month subscription to the HG Tool Box as part of the training fee.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">For information and registration, please contact Mimi Fierle at <a href="http://www.hospitalitygreen.com/">HospitalityGreen</a>,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">(845)-436-6173 or </span></span><a href="mailto:Training@HospitalityGreen.com"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; ">Training@HospitalityGreen.com</span></a></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color:black;background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-41744633907686958482011-07-19T17:08:00.000-07:002011-09-25T18:20:16.542-07:00Drive with a green foot, not a lead foot (Part II)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0H8odHXvMsP8iSNfAlnCJxzbttS1TivAFjML9gYUasglMfjpmHAjR_y7wApWOsJwTo7cV1aR150ky5_fnJUeK9cuGTP-jbR2TXX6VEbqQh7Tly2JpU7pCeegE_hyadU84WSfiG6JbgqdQ/s1600/green+driving.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0H8odHXvMsP8iSNfAlnCJxzbttS1TivAFjML9gYUasglMfjpmHAjR_y7wApWOsJwTo7cV1aR150ky5_fnJUeK9cuGTP-jbR2TXX6VEbqQh7Tly2JpU7pCeegE_hyadU84WSfiG6JbgqdQ/s320/green+driving.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631222177364044930" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">With your new, optimized travel route (thanks to the trip planning tips from <a href="http://www.hospitalitygreen.com">HospitalityGreen's</a> last week’s post), you are now ready to hit the road. Reducing the number of miles driven certainly reduces fuel consumption, but this week we will provide some helpful hints to save gas while driving.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Here is an interesting misconception. While it is better for mileage to keep the windows down for cool air while driving through town, once you get on the highway (or any road over 45mph) it is actually more fuel efficient to close the windows- to reduce drag- and have the A/C on low.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">In addition, traveling between 50-60mph will provide optimal mileage for most vehicles; anything over that will burn fuel more quickly. Keeping a steady pace (hint: cruise control will help with this) instead of rapid acceleration or deceleration will also leave more gas in the tank. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Once you reach your destination, avoid idling the car for more time then you would spend at a traffic light. For any amount of time longer than that, it would use less gas to turn off and restart the car.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Hopefully, these tips will help put you in the driver’s seat of your fuel consumption (pun intended). Next week’s blog will cover green maintenance for your vehicle. In the mean time, check out these awesome Catskill staycation destinations:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Like the outdoors? Try <a href="http://www.pepactoncabins.com/">Pepacton Cabins</a>. Located along the<a name="_GoBack"></a> East Branch of the Delaware in the Catskill Forest Preserve, this property offers a wide-variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, bird watching, hunting, snowmobiling, and options for every season.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">The spa more your style? Visit <a href="http://www.copperhood.com/">Copperhood Inn and Spa</a> in Shandaken, NY. With tons of specialized treatments and programs, it is easy for anyone to feel pampered and at ease. Don’t forget your hiking boots if you would also like to enjoy the natural splendor that surrounds the spa.<o:p></o:p></span></p>HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-80579680078094348162011-07-05T16:25:00.000-07:002011-09-25T18:18:41.783-07:00Drive with a green foot, not a lead foot<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCpcmAdc09V91LqpYei_ZXeIW16P0-Ay8HckciH3w_MeOH1qa_-n3DicXOt6tasf72g_JmaAKl48D7JvjmzOpdg-HNtvDPpTrmeOZZQfm6vrCFj9ZJAzvwQ5ViJeNg38COzk41KVo6Uob/s1600/staycation+driving.bmp" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCpcmAdc09V91LqpYei_ZXeIW16P0-Ay8HckciH3w_MeOH1qa_-n3DicXOt6tasf72g_JmaAKl48D7JvjmzOpdg-HNtvDPpTrmeOZZQfm6vrCFj9ZJAzvwQ5ViJeNg38COzk41KVo6Uob/s200/staycation+driving.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626014365749957826" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:24.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Excited about a staycation in the Catskills, but apprehensive of high gas prices? While purchasing an electric or hybrid car may be an option, there are certainly cheaper ways to save gas (and money!) during your local travels.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Before even getting into the car, think about the day’s various destinations. Are any of the stops within reasonable walking/biking distance? Can you stop at the market on the way home from Suzie’s soccer practice instead of making an extra trip during your lunch break? Or perhaps there is a more logical way to arrange your errands. Using <a href="http://www.maps.google.com/">Google Maps</a> will ensure you choose the shortest route as well as avoid any unnecessary backtracking. Any shortened or eliminated trips add up to significant gas savings, which you can use towards a well-deserved weekend getaway.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">So ease up on the gas and get the staycation fund started! The Catskills are awaiting your visit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Looking for an exciting weekend getaway ? Try the <a href="http://www.hurleystonehouse.com/">Stone House Bed & Breakfast</a>. Nestled in the mountainous Ulster County, this notable property is the oldest building in New York State that is open for overnight stays to the public. Be sure to ask innkeepers Sam and Nadia for a tour of the property’s remarkable architectural and historic highlights.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Looking to hit the green on your local vacation<a name="_GoBack"></a>? Check out <a href="http://www.windhamhouse.com/">Christman’s Windham House </a>in Greene County, New York. In addition to a restful night’s sleep at the House, the property’s two spectacular golf courses bring out the true splendor of the Catskills. We recommend the 18-hole Mountain Course for its spectacular views and over 7,150 yards of play.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Stay tuned to our next post from <a href="http://www.hospitalitygreen.com">HospitalityGreen</a> for tips on driving with a green foot while on the road.<o:p></o:p></span></p>HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3656293543950462382.post-82211526959843027292011-06-28T11:55:00.000-07:002011-06-28T12:21:23.956-07:00FROST VALLEY YMCA GOES GREEN, COMPLETING A RIGOROUS SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrME9roeN9CMqHvS1ADVnkFey_MQr8u_jWUyRN0zlFGPzlkKOhx5n7lEqyfks80rCcjPNTvFVYt6WRHViKFK5uZTru1cvwRoIHr3NxleynPkaulGBOsIAiBx3Mzpq9G0VHav4Gul-tikh/s1600/AboutMasthead.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 57px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrME9roeN9CMqHvS1ADVnkFey_MQr8u_jWUyRN0zlFGPzlkKOhx5n7lEqyfks80rCcjPNTvFVYt6WRHViKFK5uZTru1cvwRoIHr3NxleynPkaulGBOsIAiBx3Mzpq9G0VHav4Gul-tikh/s400/AboutMasthead.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623347823852817074" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS""><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS"">The First Certification Granted by Green Concierge, a Program that Works to Green Tourism </span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS"">and Lodging Facilities throughout the Catskill Watershed Region</span></b></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><st1:date year="2011" day="27" month="6" st="on"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:#333333">June 27, 2011</span></st1:date><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; color:#333333"> – </span><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS"">Frost Valley YMCA, a 6,000 acre residential camping, environmental education, and conference center located in the heart of the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Catskill</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Mountain</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype st="on">Park</st1:placetype></st1:place> is the first to complete the necessary training and assessment to receive <b>Tier 1 – Bronze Certification</b> from the Green Concierge (GC) Project.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:135%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; ">Green Concierge, which is conceived of and administered by environmental consulting firm <b>HospitalityGreen, </b>has been working with <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Frost</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place> since December 2010<b>.</b><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>During that time, 24 members of the Frost Valley staff have participated in an onsite <b>Green Facility Training </b>and the institution has implemented a number of major sustainable practices, including: replacing all light bulbs with energy efficient ones, recycling, composting, disposing of hazardous waste according to state regulations, using non-toxic cleaning products, upgrading sinks, showerheads and toilets to water-conserving models, purchasing recycled-content soft tissues, paper towels and office paper, and sourcing local produce whenever possible. HospitalityGreen’s online Resource Tracking Tool (The RTT)<span style="color:#333333"> helps them track measurable environmental improvements and target opportunities for reducing costs.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:135%"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS"">Sustainable living has always been a core value for <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Frost</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place>, and the organization continually strives to be conscientious caretakers of their facilities, natural resources, environment, community and each other. <b>Tom Holsapple, </b><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Frost</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place>’s Director of Operations, has led the participation in the Green Concierge program. “I’m thrilled at the advances we have made through the Green Concierge Project. Working with GC has formalized our sustainable efforts and presented an opportunity to refresh what was started years ago. Ultimately, it has changed the culture of our organization and our efforts will be passed along to the 40,000 people a year who come to use our facility. Seventy percent of those guests are kids, so we are creating a healthy and sustainable place and environmental awareness for the next generation.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:135%"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:#333333">Evadne Giannini, Principal of <b>HospitalityGreen LLC</b>, says, “<st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Frost</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place> is the first of the more than 30 Green Concierge participants to receive certification. It couldn’t go to a more worthy organization. They have infiltrated sustainable practices into every aspect of their operation and really set the bar high for others to follow.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:135%"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:#333333">The GC Certification process is structured in three tiers (Bronze, Silver and Gold) – with each tier providing a realistic benchmark and advancement to subsequent tiers dependent upon a business’ commitment, their ongoing use of the RTT to track resource use, and their dedication to increasingly rigorous sustainable practices. <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Frost</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place> will be working towards receiving the silver certification in 2012.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:135%"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:#333333">The GC Certification was recently recognized and ranked by </span><a href="http://www.greenlodge.org/"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:135%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color:#333333">Greenlodge.org</span></b></a><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:#333333"> as a Silver Tier Program, placing it within an elite group of national and international third party certification programs. <a name="_GoBack"></a><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:135%"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:#333333">In addition to the certification program, the Green Concierge Project, through funding from the <b>Empire State Development (ESD)</b> and the <b>Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC), </b>provides free one-on-one technical assistance to over 150 tourism and lodging facilities in the Catskill Watershed Region to improve their operational economic and environmental sustainability practices. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:135%"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:#333333"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:135%"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:#333333">--<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:135%"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:#333333">HospitalityGreen LLC is a <st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on">New York</st1:state></st1:place> based consulting firm specializing in environmental and operations consulting services. HospitalityGreen partners with service-based and product-based clients throughout the hospitality, manufacturing and institutional healthcare industries, to implement sustainable business practices.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:135%"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS"">Established in 1901 as one of the nation's first summer camps, Frost Valley YMCA now provides four seasons of outdoor, experiential and educational opportunities. Frost Valley YMCA is a 6,000 acre residential camping, environmental education, and conference center located in the heart of the “forever wild” Catskill Mountain Preserve and serves over 40,000 visitors per year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:135%"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:135%"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";color:#333333">For more information on HospitalityGreen and the Green Concierge Project, visit </span><a href="http://www.hospitalitygreen.com/"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height: 135%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#333333">www.hospitalitygreen.com</span></a><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; color:#333333"> or call <st1:phone ls="trans" phonenumber="$6985$$$" st="on">(845) <st1:phone ls="trans" phonenumber="$6985$$$" st="on">436-6173</st1:phone></st1:phone>.</span></p> <p class="Headline"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="Cue"><span style="color:#333333"><b>CONTACT</b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="ContactBlock"><b>Samantha Hoover, PR Director<span style="mso-tab-count: 4"> </span></b></p> <p class="ContactBlock">HospitalityGreen</p><p class="ContactBlock">Tel: <st1:phone ls="trans" phonenumber="$6985$$$" st="on">(917) <st1:phone ls="trans" phonenumber="$6985$$$" st="on">337-2979</st1:phone></st1:phone><span style="mso-tab-count:6"> </span></p> <p class="ContactBlock">Email: <span style="color:windowtext">s.hoover@hospitalitygreen.com</span><span style="mso-tab-count:3"> </span></p> <p class="ContactBlock"><span style="color:windowtext">Website: </span><span style="color:windowtext"><a href="http://www.hospitalitygreen.com/">www.hospitalitygreen.com</a></span><span style="color:windowtext"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span></p><p class="ContactBlock"><b>Denise Owens, Director of Marketing & Communications</b></p><p class="ContactBlock">Frost Valley YMCA</p><p class="ContactBlock">Tel: <st1:phone ls="trans" phonenumber="$6985$$$" st="on">(845) <st1:phone ls="trans" phonenumber="$6985$$$" st="on">985-2291</st1:phone></st1:phone>, ext. 211</p><p class="ContactBlock">Email: dowens@frostvalley.org</p><p class="ContactBlock">Website: <a href="http://www.forstvalley.org/">www.frostvalley.org</a></p>HospitalityGreen LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388165815878838055noreply@blogger.com0