Illinois launches its 'StayGreen' program for hotels

Read more about: Chicago, conservation, eco-friendly, Energy Star, green hotels, hotel, Hotels, LEED

Environmentally-conscious visitors to Illinois can now StayGreen at hotels throughout the Land of Lincoln. Launched by the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA), the StayGreen program recognizes hotels that proactively use eco-friendly products and services to help protect the environment. With 16,175 StayGreen rooms available across the state, IHLA is confident the StayGreen designation will help visitors better understand their choices in green lodging in Illinois.

For the first year of the program, IHLA is focusing on two areas in which hotels must meet specific criteria in order to be awarded StayGreen designations: saving energy and recycling. IHLA will re-evaluate and refine the standards it sets for StayGreen programs each year, and is already considering adding more green programs. Hotels must submit proof each year that they continue to meet StayGreen standards.

“Our goal is to create a series of green recognition programs that will help make the lodging industry in Illinois a leader in protecting our environment,” said IHLA President and CEO Marc Gordon. “We envision a world in which green lodging is ‘business as usual’ sooner, rather than later.” IHLA is encouraging all of its member hotels to become StayGreen properties and then take the next step and pursue Green Seal or LEED certification. Currently, 13 Chicago hotels are Green Seal certified, and 12 more have been audited and are pursuing certification.

In order to receive the StayGreen energy reduction designation, hotels must meet standards set by IHLA. Options include purchasing renewable energy credits from green energy sources such as wind, hydro and solar power to offset at least 50 percent of a hotel’s power, to utilizing:

• Energy efficient lighting
• Occupancy sensors which turn off lights and heating/cooling units when rooms are unoccupied
• Programmable thermostats
• “Green” roofs
• ENERGY STAR commercial equipment
• Water conservation equipment
• Linen and towel reuse

Hotels will receive the StayGreen recycling designation if at least four of six recyclable items typically discarded by guests and staff are collected, separated and recycled on a continuous basis. These are newspapers, plastic and glass bottles, metal cans, cardboard/paper, and kitchen oil and grease.

“Green accommodations are becoming more important to travelers and meeting planners,” said Jan Kostner, Deputy Director Illinois Bureau of Tourism. “The StayGreen program is excellent way to make our state stand out to green travelers.”

Visitors seeking green lodging in Illinois can search for StayGreen hotels at the IHLA website: http://www.stayillinois.com/.

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