CONCORD, N.H.—More than 8 million pounds of greenhouse gases were eliminated last year as a result of energy efficient lighting implemented in 57 lodging businesses in New Hampshire. That is the equivalent of 358 cars being taken off the road according to Michelle Veasey, manager of the New Hampshire Sustainable Lodging & Restaurant Program (NHSLRP). That is just the beginning. Those same businesses conserved more than 7 million gallons of water with water saving devices and guest-directed conservation programs.
The NHSLRP asked certified green properties to recertify under a new application that allowed the program to calculate the impact of changes that member properties were making to be more sustainable. The results demonstrate that even though many of the NHSLRP members are small businesses, working together and learning from other like-minded businesses allows New Hampshire hospitality to make a huge difference for the state’s environment health.
The calculator, which was originally developed by Maine’s Environmental Leader Program manager, Peter Cooke, also estimates the financial benefits of some of the participants’ efforts. Participating businesses saved an estimated $586,000 in energy efficient lighting and appliances. That averages out to $179 saved in each guestroom over the year. The savings from greening initiatives have helped NHSLRP businesses to weather the rough economy of the last year.
Eighteen of the reporting businesses switched to refillable amenity dispensers, resulting in the elimination of more than 200,000 plastic bottles and more than 12,000 pounds of plastic from sitting in landfills for hundreds of years. Thirty-three businesses switched to environmentally-preferable cleaning chemicals and in doing so, eliminated 3,800 pounds of hazardous chemicals.
In 2011, the NHSLRP will be doing the same measurement for restaurants in the state. Businesses interested in joining the program or learning more about how they can green their operations should contact Michelle Veasey at mveasey@nhlra.com. Residents and visitors can show their support for green business by doing business with NHSLRP members. Green hotels and restaurants are listed on the program website, www.nhslrp.org.
