Eco-Etiquette, Business Style

2007 August 21
by Carol Bory

Do you bring your eco-etiquette with you when traveling? According to research firm STUDYLOGIC, 59% of frequent travelers admit to dropping their “green routines” when traveling.

Commissioned by ELEMENT Hotels, a brand from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, below are more of the eco-etiquette findings:

  1. 75% expect fresh sheets and towels daily in a hotel, but not at home
  2. 70% open a new mini-bottle of shampoo and conditioner each time they shower on the road
  3. 70% agree that they try to conserve water “as much as possible” at home, only 18% do the same in a hotel
  4. 63% admit to being more likely to leave a light on when they leave a hotel room than at home
  5. 62% said one reason they use water and energy less efficiently in a hotel than at home is that they “don’t have to pay for it”
  6. 60% are more likely to leave a bathroom light on overnight in an unfamiliar hotel room that at home

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So what can you do to sharpen your eco-etiquette? Below are a few tips from ELEMENT Hotels Corporate Director Randal Savage:

  1. Get unplugged: Many people don’t realize that their cell phone charger, laptop cable and other electrical plugs drain power while they are plugged in, even if they are not in use. In fact, only 5% of the power used by an average cell phone charger is used to charge the phone—the other 95% is wasted energy.
  2. Seize the day: Take advantage of natural light as much as possible—it is as renewing for your spirits as it is for the planet.
  3. Chill out: Hotels are often climate-controlled, buy many will let you adjust the room temperature. Always set the temperature around 68 degrees in winter and 78 degrees in summer to maximize both energy efficiency and personal comfort.
  4. Lights out: Keeping the bathroom light off overnight makes a big impact—and will help you to sleep better.
  5. Conserve while you sleep: ELEMENT’s survey confirmed that only a small percentage of people change their linens everyday at home—so why should a hotel be any different? Taking advantage of a hotel’s linen reuse policy is a smart choice.
  6. Use common sense: Be sure to turn off the lights and TV and make sure faucets are closed before leaving your room.

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