Green Lodging

The hot new trend in the travel industry is “Green Lodging” and Northern Michigan is one of the leaders.
Green Lodging Michigan, an initiative launched a couple of years ago, encourages hotels, motels and other hospitality facilities to adopt cost-saving “green” practices. A joint venture between Michigan’s Energy Office and the Department of Environmental Quality, the program establishes environmental guidelines for the hospitality industry to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution.
Any hotel, motel, resort or bed & breakfast that is a leader in energy conservation, air quality and reduced water consumption and waste may receive one of three designations. Those levels are: Green Lodging Partner, Green Lodging Steward and Green Lodging Leader, which designate varying levels of commitment. The designations are contingent on on-site verification, with certification for a three-year period.
“It’s like the Good Housekeeping seal of approval of being green,” said Keith Cooley, director of the Department of Labor & Economic Growth.

CRYSTAL COMMITMENT
On February 1, Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville earned the Green Lodging Michigan Leader certification. In doing so Crystal Mountain became the first resort in Michigan to earn the highest level of accreditation. Crystal Mountain was also one of the first facilities in Michigan to achieve GLM certification when the program was launched in October of 2006.
“Crystal Mountain’s commitment to preserving Michigan’s environment is exemplary; becoming “greener” serves as a true model for the hospitality industry to follow,” said director Cooley.
He added that Crystal Mountain went above and beyond what was required by installing carbon monoxide detectors, expanding its recycling program, purchasing paper products with 30 percent or greater recycled content, and limiting vehicle idling for all facility vehicles to reduce emissions and conserve fuel. The resort also joined Energy Star’s Change a Light, Change the World campaign to encourage use of compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Last fall, Crystal Mountain also received the White Pine Award from the Michigan Chapter of the Sierra Club which recognizes a non-member that has shown a strong commitment to the environment.
“Serving as good stewards of the environment is one of our most important
responsibilities and we are grateful for Green Lodging Michigan’s support,” said Jim MacInnes, president of Crystal Mountain. “We hope that others will join the effort to conserve our natural resources and maintain Michigan’s beautiful landscape.”

MUST-DOs
So exactly how are things different at a green hotel?
Visitors should expect to find a facility that is doing what it can to protect the environment. Such things as offering the guest the option of replacing towels and linens every other day, installing water saving faucets and toilets, using energy efficient light bulbs and televisions, using refillable dispensers for soaps and shampoos and offering onsite recycling for their guests.
Other objectives include buying non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products and purchasing Energy Star certified office equipment, clothes washers, and driers, refrigerators, lights, windows and boilers.
“Education is also an important part of the process. We expect the facilities to participate in seminars to stay current. We also expect that they educate their staff on the importance of green practices,” said Steven E. Chester, director of the Michigan DEQ. “We are also looking at such things as food purchases coming from local sources and/or Michigan producers. Are you using organic foods? Does the facility have an organized employee car pool program? This is not some rubber stamp marking program.”
Program organizers collectively agree that as society continues to pursue green practices in their day-to-day living, lodging facilities that adopt Green Lodging Michigan principals will have an advantage.
“We are already seeing a difference,” said director Cooley. “The traveling public is looking for and asking for lodging facilities that are green.”
For additional information on the Green Lodging Michigan program check out michigan.gov/greenlodging.


Michigan Green Lodging Participants and Current Applicants:

• Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville - Leader
• Stafford’s Perry Hotel, Petoskey - Leader
• Grace Grange Lodge & Stable, Petoskey - Steward
• Neahtawanta Inn, Traverse City - Steward
• Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center, Roscommon - Steward
• Silent Sport Lodge Bed & Breakfast, Wolverine - Steward
• The Betsie Bay Inn, Frankfort - Steward
• Bayshore Resort, Traverse City - Partner
• Kettunen Center, Tustin - Partner
• Candlelite Inn Bed & Breakfast, Ludington - applicant
• Chateau Chantal Winery, Traverse City - applicant
• Doubletree Hotel, Bay City - applicant
• Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island - applicant
• Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Acme - applicant
• Holiday Inn Express, Ludington - applicant
• Huron House Bed & Breakfast, Oscoda - applicant
• Khardomah Lodge, Grand Haven - applicant
• Lake Breeze House Bed & Breakfast, Onekama - applicant
• Lighthouse Motel, Ludington - applicant
• LogHaven Bed & Breakfast, West Branch - applicant
• Park Place Hotel, Traverse City- applicant
• The Purple Martin Lakeside Inn, Rogers City - applicant
• Sylan Inn, Glen Arbor - applicant
• Water Street Inn, Boyne City - applicant
• Waterside Resort & Boat Rental, Ludington - applicant

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