HASTINGS, MINN.—The Minnesota Bed & Breakfast Assn. (MBBA) is taking steps to add green criteria to its quality assurance inspection process. The program will be discussed at the association’s conference that will be held April 20 to 22 at the Greysolon Ballroom in Duluth, Minn. The conference will be followed by workshops that will be held throughout the state to help explain the new program. According to Pam Thorsen, MBBA has not yet decided whether or not to tie a tiered rating system to the QA process. The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, for example, awards one, two or three green leaves to its member properties depending on the extent of their green commitment.
MBBA members would pay an additional $50 a year for the program. They would then be able to list the green steps they have taken on the MBBA website. Travelers searching for places to stay in Minnesota would then be able to conduct searches for green places to stay while using the green criteria posted by the B&B. Each B&B would have to demonstrate their green commitment during an on-site inspection. B&Bs would get credit for launching initiatives such as recycling, towel and linen reuse, and compact fluorescents.
The 150 members of MBBA already are taking steps to minimize their environmental impact, Thorsen says, with some incorporating solar and wind technologies. The association has a working relationship with Renewing the Countryside, an organization that helps to make travelers aware of destinations including organic farms, restaurants and arts-related stops.
Thorsen said MBBA’s conference in April will take the following green steps:
• It will not use Styrofoam products. A local potter will provide custom mugs.
• Members are asked to bring their own three-ring binders and name badges.
• Cloth conference bags given away will be the kind one can use over and over when grocery shopping.
• The event will be held in a “recycled” building—a century old ballroom.
• More attention will be spent this year on inviting vendors selling green products.
For more information, go to MBBA.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
