Green Daily

Out here in California, I was pleased to see a list of Green Initiatives at the Half Moon Bay resort. Perched on a breath-taking bluff, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, guests are constantly reminded of the wonders of nature. The initiatives include:

• Providing in-room recycling (you'd be surprised at how rare this still is!)
• Composting left over food from the restaurant, banquets and employee cafeteria
• Using recycled paper products
• Instituting a water reuse system for their laundry facility
• Using local, natural irrigation for our coastal landscape

Across the country, Kristen learned that in March of this year the Ritz-Carlton in Palm Beach, Florida, became the first Ritz-Carlton property to achieve Bronze Level Status and to be certified by both national and state Green Seal organizations. They plan to continue to implement eco-initiatives, and pursue Silver Level Status by the end of the year.

Programs in place at the property include:

• energy efficient lighting and air conditioning
• low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets
• exclusive use of bio-degradable, petrochemical-free cleaning products, made from renewable resources

They are also dedicated to protecting the nearby Everglades and Jupiter Beach. During turtle nesting season they turn off beach lighting and bring in beach chairs to make it safe for the turtles to get back to the ocean. In guest rooms you'll find a toy "Loggie the sea turtle" for sale. A portion of the proceeds go to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center on Juno Beach.

The Ritz has a tendency to underplay these programs and offerings because they want to avoid seeming self-serving. Like Annie, I believe that transparency in the hotel industry is a two-way street. Sure, it's important to uncover negative things, but it's just as important to know about good things!

I've said it before -- we eco-travelers want to see all of a hotel's green initiatives spelled out on their sites, because we want to vote with our dollars and support the companies that share our values. Make it easy for us, even if it means bragging a little. In some cases, bragging is good!