CHICAGO—On Thursday, October 16, Mayor Richard M. Daley acknowledged the efforts of 25 Chicago hotels that are currently striving for an environmental designation. The Green Hotels Initiative challenges hotels to obtain Green Seal certification, an environmental lodging standard with requirements in waste minimization, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste water management and green procurement. The program also offers resources, best practices and recognition to the hotels going green.
“Whether you are working to install energy efficient equipment in your kitchens and laundry facilities, installing water-saving plumbing fixtures, or planning for a green roof, like the one we have on top of City Hall, your efforts not only serve as a model for others, but you are also helping Chicago achieve its goal of having the most Green Seal certified hotels in the nation,” said Mayor Daley during a breakfast at the Hotel Monaco, one of the hotels taking part in the initiative.
During the event, the City also announced that the Hotel Monaco Chicago, Hotel Burnham, Hotel Allegro Chicago, InterContinental Chicago, and the Talbott Hotel received their Green Seal certification, making Chicago the city with the most Green Seal Certified hotels in the nation.
Buildings’ Carbon Impact Significant
Research data from the Chicago Climate Action Plan shows that 71 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Chicago result from buildings. With its 24-hour operations, the hotel industry can be carbon intensive. As a result, hotels can play an important role in helping reduce emissions and providing tourists and visitors with world-class accommodations that are also environmentally-friendly.
The 20 additional hotels that have been audited now have the baseline requirements to become Green Seal certified. In order to receive certification, the hotels need to implement a host of environmental practices including:
• Install energy efficient equipment in the office, kitchen, and laundry facilities;
• Install water conserving devices such as 2.2 gallons per minute faucets, 2.5 gallons per minute showerheads, and 1.6 gallons per flush toilets;
• Implement a successful recycling program that is monitored on a monthly basis for waste reduction targets;
• Use non-phosphate, nontoxic, biodegradable cleaning products and detergents;
• Offer guests a towel/linen reuse option;
• Use 30 percent post consumer recycled paper;
• Establish a purchasing policy that incorporates environmental goals and
preferences; and
• Minimize use of chlorine.
Green Seal certified hotels may find that they can have a less harmful impact on the environment while saving money. For example, a 300-room hotel switching to a bath tissue with 100 percent post consumer content would save approximately four tons of virgin paper, 48 trees, 16,400 kilowatt-hours of electricity, 28,000 gallons of water and 240 pounds of air pollutants annually. After the hotels receive Green Seal certification, the City will encourage hotels to pursue other environmental certifications such as the EPA’s Energy Star program and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
Chicago Green Seal audited hotels include: the Drake Hotel, Essex Inn, Fairmont, Four Points Hotel, Four Seasons, Hard Rock Hotel, Hilton Chicago, Hotel Allegro, Hotel Burnham, Hotel Monaco, Hyatt Regency, InterContinental, Marriott Courtyard, Park Hyatt, Peninsula Hotel, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Ritz Carlton, Sheraton Hotel & Tower, Silversmith, Sofitel, Swissotel, The Talbott, Westin Michigan Avenue, and Westin River North.
