PINE HILL, N.Y.—A reception was held earlier this month to recognize the 18 lodging establishments that recently received Green Concierge Bronze certification. The program, which is administered by environmental consulting firm HospitalityGreen LLC, trains and assesses lodging facilities to ensure they meet standards for waste reduction, energy and water conservation, environmentally preferable purchasing and recycling.
The newly certified facilities span Delaware, Greene, Sullivan and Ulster Counties and represent the full spectrum of lodging available in the Catskills, including resort hotels, bed and breakfasts, cabins, farm stays, and retreat centers. The list of certified properties includes: Hotel Vienna, Kaatskill Mountain Club, Rosehaven Inn, The Thompson House , Washington Irving Inn, Creek Locks B&B, Hurley Stonehouse B&B, Lifebridge Sanctuary, Menla Mountain Retreat, Phoenicia Lodge, Skylake Lodge, Twin Gables, La Bass Cour, Margaretville Motel, Margaretville Mountain Inn, Pepacton Cabins, Turquoise Barn, and Frost Valley YMCA.
Each facility has made both small and large changes to make their business sustainable and more cost-efficient. This includes using energy efficient light bulbs, recycling, composting, using non-toxic cleaning products, upgrading sinks, showerheads and toilets to water-conserving models, purchasing recycled-content paper products, and sourcing local produce whenever possible. A Resource Tracking Tool helped them track measurable environmental improvements and target opportunities for reducing costs.
“We have been working with these facilities since late 2010, and it’s wonderful to see how far they have come,” said Evadne Giannini, founder and CEO of HospitalityGreen LLC. “They have been so dedicated to the program and now that they are officially certified, we hope to see the Catskills flourish as an eco-tourist destination.”
Select facilities will continue with the program to reach subsequent tiers (Silver and then Gold certification), implementing and tracking increasingly rigorous sustainable practices. Ten additional lodgings are currently participating in the Green Concierge program as well with the goal of reaching Bronze certification within the next year.
Go to www.hospitalitygreen.com.
