Saunders Earns Environmental Honors 4/16/2002 By Glenn Haussman The award is the culmination of a
more than
decade-long effort to make Saunders’ owned properties the most
energy-efficient
hotels in the lodging business. The property will also get the
Environmental
Showplace for its efforts from Choice Hotels, which recognizes the “Having won this industry award is
gratifying
because we won our first award 10 years ago and it feels like we are
creating a
dynasty here,” said Tedd Saunders, SHG’s Executive Vice President of
Environmental Affairs and the President of Boston-based EcoLogical
Solutions,
Inc. “No company has won three times and each of our properties has now
won the
award. It’s fantastic because it shows we are not resting on our
laurels, but
continuing to push the envelope for the operations and products we have
incorporated into our facilities.“ From the easy to implement programs
such as
programs that encourage reuse of sheets and towels during a guest’s
stay to its
adoption of more complex projects, such as installing an energy
management
system featuring digital thermostats with motion sensor technology to
eliminate
wasted energy, Saunders wants hotels owned by SHG to be a showplace for
how
hotels can protect the environment and save some cash all at once. Other programs implemented by the
Comfort Inn &
Suites are an ozone laundry system that cuts out hot water and chlorine
use
while reducing chemical consumption, a new food waste composting
program, water
conserving ice machines, bathroom fixtures and heat pumps as well as
energy
efficient "Low E" windows, "Energy Star" rated office
equipment and nearly 950 compact fluorescent light bulbs installed in
public
and back-of-house areas throughout the property. Since 1989, SHG has implemented
more than 90
environmentally friendly projects at its three hotels. Next year, SHG
will open
a luxury boutique hotel on <> “We are always continually
improving,” he said in
an interview with Hotel Interactive. To keep improving, Saunders said
the hotel group
continually trains its staff members so everyone at the hotel is not
only aware
of the efforts involved in protecting natural resources, but also feels
pride
in helping the properties remain environmentally sound. One
recent innovation was the installation of an ionization machine in the
pool
area that reduces chemicals needed in the pool, and according to
Saunders the
payback for the investment is about two years. “It’s
less corrosive on the pool itself and requires less maintenance too.
It’s
better than putting money in the bank,” he said, adding the company
researched
the system for about a half a year while also investigating other
chlorine
alternatives. |
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