Chicago’s Green Hotel Initiative

Hotel Monaco, Green Seal Silver Certified

Complimentary toiletry bottles, paper cups, daily towel cleaning — all amenities most travelers have come to expect. But Chicago is looking to banish these extras from its hotels…

Under Chicago’s Green Hotel Initiative, the city is looking to replace those disposables with bulk shampoo dispensers, recycling bins, faucet aerators, and efficient lighting amongst other easy, but eco-friendly changes. The initiative, which offers a 50% subsidy for green certification costs, has helped increase the number of Green Seal certified hotels in Chicago, which now has the most Green Seal certified hotels in the country.

To be Green Seal certified hotels must overhaul their operations to include recycling programs, waste minimization, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste water management and green procurement. See the entire list of Chicago's Green Seal certified hotels here.

Many other cities and states have started their own green hotel initiatives – visit Green Seal for a complete state-by-state listing of Green Seal certified hotels.

Comments (4)

A thoughtful move....I always hated the way those small bottles and cups were wasted each time the cleaning personnel came by. small bottles dont make sense and just add to the plastic clutter.. i really wish we get a green alternative to pakaging products asap...i feel guilty about all those shampoo and soap bottles which sit on my bathroom shelf....not to mention the packaging products-plastic clutter frm kitchens

posted by susrith on July 6th 2009 at 3:11pm
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At the same time, it's really convenient to have those toiletries when you get to the hotel. It'd be nice if they at least had wall dispensers or something.

posted by Alaricus on July 6th 2009 at 8:43pm
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Yay Chicago!!! I must say I do love my city :)

posted by designedtoteach on July 7th 2009 at 11:46am
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Alaricus -- I don't think the plan on completely getting rid of toiletries, rather they plan on doing what you suggested and will install wall mounted 'bulk' dispensers for shampoo, soap, etc. instead of the tiny disposables.

posted by Rachelw on July 7th 2009 at 1:10pm
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