Find a place to stay with a Green Key Eco-Rating
By Laurie Posted on April 30th, 2009 in Latest News, TravelLooking for a place to stay for your next trip within Canada? The Hotel Association of Canada has developed a Green Key Eco-Rating Program that can give you advice on where you can sustainable stay on your next trip.
The program is designed to recognize hotels, motels and reports that provide accommodations that enhance the environment.
Each hotel is audited and then given a Green Key rating (and if need be, some input on how to increase it to the highest rating of 5 keys).
The audit is based on five areas: Corporate Environmental Management, Housekeeping, Food and Beverage Operations, Conference and Meeting Facilities and Engineering. Within these, they look at nine sections.
- Energy conservation
- Water conservation
- Solid waste management
- Hazardous waste management
- Indoor air quality
- Community outreach
- Building infrastructure
- Land use
- Environmental management
Post-audit, the Hotel Association of Canada provides the accommodation with a written report discussing their accomplishments and recommendations, if applicable. They also receive a plaque displaying their rating.
Green Key rating system
The rating is determined from the factors outlined above, based on a percentage on how they “score” during their audit.
What do the ratings mean?
1 Green Key – 1 – 19.9% score
The hotel has taken initial steps to reduce their eco-impact through looking at their operations and seeing where they can improve. Resource conservation and waste minimization, with the commitment for improvement, are evident.
2 Green Keys – 20 – 39.9% score
The hotel has taken greater measures to see where they can reduce their eco-impact, and develop policies and programs to minimize further environmental issues.They have also committed to continual improvement through programs that have shown results.
3 Green Keys – 40 – 59.9% score
The hotel has shown significant ways they’ve protected the environment with strong programs, management practices, and solutions that have benefited the local community and the planet.
4 Green Keys – 60 – 79.9% score
The hotel has displayed national leadership and commitment to eco-issues, and have implemented programs that involve management, employees, guests and the public, with sustantial results.
5 Green Keys – 80-100% score
The hotel shows the highest standards in eco- and social responsibility through all operations, including technology, policies and programs. These hotels set the international standard.
Because this is a Canada based site, the vast majority of hotels are based in Canada. However, Americans are also able to do the voluntary audit, and currently, four hotels across the US are listed on the site.
The hotels run from modest Holiday Inns to swanky Hiltons, easily catering to any budget. We definitely recommend checking out the accommodation choices and choose a hotel with the Green Key Eco-Rating Program in mind.
For more information, visit: hacgreenhotels.com
Image courtesy of canadianfamily.ca
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Discussion Take a look at what is being said about this article.
J Smithson, on June 5th, 2009 says:
Great resource! I do a lot of travelling and have bookmarked the site.
Henry U., on June 5th, 2009 says:
At least lower keys mean they are still doing something about it. Good post, thanks.