What Is An Eco
Hotel?
By Jean-Pierre
Prieur
Eco hotel is a
term used to
describe a hotel
or accommodation
that has made
important
environmental
improvements to
its structure in
order to
minimize its
impact on the
environment.
The basic
definition of a
green hotel is
an
environmentally-responsible
lodging that
follows the
practices of
green living.
These hotels
have to be
certified green
by an
independent
third-party or
by the state
they are located
in.
Traditionally,
these hotels
were mostly
presented as Eco
Lodges because
of their
location, often
in jungles, and
their design
inspired by the
use of
traditional
building methods
applied by
skilled local
craftsmen in
areas, such as
Costa Rica and
Indonesia.
Today, the term
has developed to
include
properties in
less “natural”
locations that
have invested in
improving their
“green”
credentials..
Criteria for
eco-hotel
An eco hotel
must usually
meet the
following
criteria
* Dependence on
the natural
environment
* Ecological
sustainability
* Proven
contribution to
conservation
* Provision of
environmental
training
programs
* Incorporation
of cultural
considerations
* Provision of
an economic
return to the
local community
Criteria for
eco-hotel
Green hotels
follow strict
green guidelines
to ensure that
their guests are
staying in a
safe, non-toxic
and
energy-efficient
accommodation.
Here are some
basic
characteristics
of a green
hotel:
* Housekeeping
uses non-toxic
cleaning agents
and laundry
detergent
* 100% organic
cotton sheets,
towels and
mattresses
* Non-smoking
environment
* Renewable
energy sources
like solar or
wind energy
* Bulk organic
soap and
amenities
instead of
individual
packages to
reduce waste
* Guest room and
hotel lobby
recycling bins
* Towel and
sheet re-use
(guests can tell
housekeeping to
leave these
slightly used
items to reduce
water
consumption)
*
Energy-efficient
lighting
* On-site
transportation
with green
vehicles
* Serve organic
and local-grown
food
* Non-disposable
dishes
* Offers a
fresh-air
exchange system
* Graywater
recycling, which
is the reuse of
kitchen, bath
and laundry
water for garden
and landscaping
* Newspaper
recycling
program
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