Green Hotels in New York State

A Pilot Project

In 2009, NYSP2I in conjunction with the New York State Governor's Green Hospitality & Tourism Partnership initiated a pilot test of a green certification program for the New York State hotel industry.

Green Hotel Program The goal of the Green Hotel Pilot Project was to test a program aimed at assisting lodging properties with obtaining green certification and reducing their environmental footprint. The hotels benefit by improving their competivenesswhile saving operating costs and increasing revenue through attracting environmentally conscious tourists and saving environmental resources. The Program also provides outreach and educational assists to the hospitality sector focusing on sustainable strategies that support and encourage innovation, economic benefits and, social and environmental responsibility. The Audubon International Green Leaf™ Eco-Rating Program was used as the third party certifier. NYSP2I teamed up with Audubon International to assist 41 NY State motels, hotels and bed & breakfasts receive an Audubon Green LeafT Eco-Rating. Participants demonstrated certification while increasing the population of green certified hotels in the U.S and were featured in I Love NY green tourism marketing.

The Process NYS lodging properties were solicited to apply for participation in the project. Applications were received from 79 properties. Of those, 44 properties were selected to participate based on criteria set by the Partnership. A total of 42 properties finished the pilot project by completing a 52-page survey of the current state of their environmental practices and a site visit by Audubon International or NYSP2I. Each property received an Audubon International’s Audubon Green Leaf™ Eco-rating for certification from 1 to 5 leaves (5 being the highest rating) indicating their level of environmental performance, a calculation of the environmental score, and a Recommendation Report.

Certification
As a result of the ratings all 44 properties were certified with fifteen properties (36%) receiving a Green Leaf rating of 2, twenty-four properties (57%) receiving a rating of 3, and three properties (7%) receiving a 4 leaf rating. None of the participating properties received a Green Leaf rating of 1 or 5.
 

To view the list of participating hotels by region, click on the map below

Benefits
Certification has the potential to enhance New York’s lodging industry by boosting the tourism sector’s economic and environmental performance in the areas of pollution prevention, water conservation, waste reduction, resource conservation and energy efficiency. Stemming from Florida and Maine’s environmental performance tools, NYSP2I developed a metrics collection tool for hotels to capture environmental measurements and track improvements while incorporating occupancy rates. Properties are able to track their performance and target their improvement efforts when comparing metrics from one year to the next to capture fluctuations in occupancy rates and seasonal changes.

Best Practices
There are many actions that properties can take to establish themselves as an eco-friendly business. For details and assistance becoming Audubon Green Leaf™ certified contact Audubon International. NYS Hospitality and Tourism Association and the American Hotel & Lodging Association offer 11 Minimum Guidelines for Going Green:

1. Each hotel should form an Environmental Committee that is responsible for developing an Environmental Green Plan for energy, water, and solid waste use.
2. Manage your hotel's environmental performance by monitoring the electric, gas, water, and waste usage information on a monthly and annual basis.
3. Replace incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps wherever possible.
4. Install digital thermostats in guestrooms and throughout the hotel.
5. Implement a towel and/or linen reuse program.
6. Install 2.5-gallons per minute showerheads or less in all guestroom baths and any employee shower areas.
7. Install 1.6-gallon toilets in all guestrooms.
8. Implement a recycling program --including public spaces -- to the full extent available in your municipality; document your efforts.
9. Implement a recycling program for hazardous materials found in fluorescent bulbs, batteries, and lighting ballasts through licensed service providers.
10. Purchase Energy Star labeled appliances and equipment.
11. All office paper products should have 20% or more post-consumer recycled content.

Contact Us
For more information on the Green Hotel Program, contact Tracy Freas via email tracy.freas@rit.edu or call 585-475-5807.