When the New Hampshire Sustainable Lodging & Restaurant Program (NHSLRP) launched more than five years ago as a division of the NH Lodging & Restaurant Association, many hotels joined the group in an attempt to understand what green really meant for the lodging industry.
Since then, many hotels have gotten onboard with green initiatives, and two new NH hotels demonstrate a move toward environmental responsibility in the hospitality industry.
The Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Keene and Residence Inn Portsmouth Downtown/Waterfront, both managed by Colwen Hotel Management, recently qualified as NHSLRP Environmental Champions and both facilities claim to recognize that both business travelers and tourists are looking for greener accommodations.
The Courtyard by Marriott, Keene's newest hotel, was built to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system for new buildings and is the first of its kind in the Monadnock region.
Likewise, the new Residence Inn in Portsmouth, which opened in the spring, is the first LEED certified hotel in that city. Fully 80 percent of construction waste was recycled or reused, which means more than 81 tons of debris was diverted from area landfills. During construction, goals for recycling were set and achieved by reusing materials such as concrete sidewalks and pads for structural fill and recycling metals.
And to reduce the use of gas and CO2 emissions, 40 percent of the building materials used during construction for both the Portsmouth and the Keene hotels came from within 500 miles of each location.
Both properties' green features are expected to aid to the comfort and health of guests. For example, the designs for the hotels included low-emissivity windows that open for fresh air and are situated to provide as much natural light as possible. Low volatile organic compound products were also used during construction, including paints, sealants, coatings and carpet components so guests can enjoy clean air during their stay.
The executive team at Colwen Management in Nashua says it is dedicated to operating hotels in an environmentally-firiendly fashion, and the company developed an internal environmental policy for both sites that "recognizes our environmental responsibility and is committed to improving our performance towards a sustainable futureall while enhancing the guest and team member experience."
Construction at both sites ultimately included a range of initiatives. Both hotels boast energy efficient lighting, occupancy sensors, Energy Star appliances, and heat recovery systems. Water conservation is achieved with high performance showerheads and toilets and an optional towel and linen reuse program for guests. The hotels redice waste by recycling, focusing purchasing on items that can be reused and come with minimal packaging waste, and purchasing products made from rapid renewable sources. When it comes to cleanliness, the hotels use Green Seal certified products that means mean hazardous chemicals typically used in cleaning are not found at these hotels. Colwen also communicates its efforts to guests and staff.
NHSLRP Manager Michelle Veasey says, "It was obvious in auditing the Courtyard by Marriott Keene and Residence Inn Portsmouth Downtown that the [Colwen] management team had taken the time to do it right. They have not only implemented a wide range of environmental initiatives, but they have also put their commitment down on paper, developing an environmental policy, an environmentally focused purchasing policy and a Sustainability Statement. Changes in personnel will not mean that these efforts are lost - they are more likely to be continued and built on when they are documented."
The NHSLRP is open to all hospitality properties interested in becoming greener. A points-based application allows businesses to choose practices that work best for their operation. The program has more than 90 certified properties statewide and is looking to expand the number of restaurants on that list. Applications, information about the program and certified properties can be found at www.nhslrp.org.
Current Issue - May 2024