eva serrabassa/iStock
READ MORE ABOUT:
We cannot stay with strangers because they are inherently strange. The word stranger has a negative connotation. "Stay away from those strangers. They are strange." No wonder everyone is so wary towards strangers. If they were called something like new persons or discoverables, people would probably be really happy when they came around. "Get out the fine china, Sharon. A discoverable is in town." Oh, well. Strangers will remain strangers, lurking in the shadows, scaring us.
Since we can't stay with people we don't know, we have to stay at hotels. Hotels, in one form or another, have been around as long as strangers have. They are a main staple of society. However, some hotels can be downright wasteful. They may air condition rooms when there is nobody in there. They may do all sorts of eco-unfriendly things. Then again, they might be a solar-powered paradise. We don't know. We have to ask.
I found a list of things to ask a hotel via the Independent Traveler.
- Is the hotel locally owned and operated? If not, is it at least staffed by local employees?
- What kind of recycling programs does the hotel have (aluminum, plastic, paper, gray water, composting)?
- Do guests have the option to reuse towels and sheets instead of having them changed every day?
- What programs does the hotel have to reduce consumption? Examples include energy-efficient lighting, low-flow toilets and showers, and alternative energy sources like solar or wind power.
- How does the hotel contribute to the local community?
Here are a few more questions:
- Is your hotel near lines of public transportation? Or do you have a bike rental program?
- Do you serve local foods?
- Do you have a sustainable swimming pool?
- How do you maintain your grounds?
Few hotels are going to be perfect for the green consumer. But asking these questions and holding their feet to the fire might get a few people talking and few people changing to meet the demands of their customers.
More on Eco-Friendly Travel:
Pack for a Trip the Green Way
Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing Safety Tips
Stay at a Green Inn
-
- {}
