Green Daily

The Earthcare program ranges from using non-toxic cleaning products to printing collateral on post-consumer waste recycled paper to hotel key cards made from eco-friendly 30% post consumer recycled plastic. Plus, I appreciate that they are so willing to share information about their green efforts. Knowing about their practices definitely influences me to pick them over another hotel that doesn't publicize their environmental policies.

The Kimpton Restaurants, a collection of "chef-driven" restaurants, just announced three new sustainability initiatives in 21 of their dining rooms:

• Wines: By January 2010, 30% of the wines offered will be organic, biodynamic and sustainable wines from small and large producers
• Seafood: Restaurants only serve sustainable seafood in accordance with Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program -- this has already been implemented
  
• Water: Thanks to a partnership with commercial water filter company Natura®, by July 2009 the restaurants will offer guests filtered tap water. This will reduce disposable bottle usage, plus Kimpton and Natura® will are making a contribution to The Nature Conservancy based on the number of bottles of water sold.

Now that so many companies and organizations like the Kimpton group have established eco-programs, it's exciting to see the creativity driving this next wave of initiatives, not to mention the inspiring results: By making the water change, Kimpton will be able to reduce their oil consumption by 5,000 barrels, and CO2 emission by 2,340 tons in just one year!

Ready to enjoy a glass of organic wine with your sustainably fished salmon? Visit the Kimpton Restaurant page to see a list of restaurants by state, and even make your reservation online.