Connecticut Green Lodging - Accommodating Your Guests and the Environment

Certification and Resources for the Lodging Industry

• Find hotels that are CT Green Lodging Certified.
• Earn Connecticut Green Lodging Certification.
• Extensive list of resources  to help you create green lodging.
• Green Lodging Calculator estimates  financial and environmental benefits from sustainable practices.
• Green Hotel Certification Training Workshops and Webinars.
• Green Lodging Video - Encourages hotels, motels or bed and breakfasts to become certified under Connecticut's Green Lodging Program (Length: 1:28).

Earn Connecticut Green Lodging Certification

Greening your hotel, motel or B & B is more than just good for the environment. It's good for business! As people try to live a more "green" lifestyle, they want businesses where they spend their money to be "green", too. Additional benefits of greening your business are saving money and creating a healthier place for employees.

CT DEEP and the Dept. of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Office of Tourism are promoting a program for hotels called "Connecticut Green Lodging - Accommodating You and Our Environment." The CT Green Lodging award is a self-certification program based on accumulating points associated with environmental practices at your facility. Lodgings that are certified under the program will be listed on both agency's websites as well as in the Green Lodging News. The points are documented in the Connecticut Green Lodging Self-Certification Workbook.

The Workbook, updated July 2024, is available as a fillable Word form (preferred) or you can print the PDF version and fill it in by hand. 

How to Fill Out the Workbook

The workbook is a comprehensive list of environmental practices, each of which offers ways to generate points. You can "walk through" your facility and assign points associated with each environmental practice. It is not necessary to fill out every section.

To qualify for a Connecticut Green Lodging certification, you must be able to claim at least 100 points. There is a maximum number of points for most activities. If you are not doing an activity exactly as described, you still may enter a portion of the maximum points. Some items are negotiable. Enter the number of points you think you deserve for the activity. There is also space in each section for adding other activities not included in the list. Calculate your estimated score by adding up all of the points in each of the sections.

Workbook Assistance and Review

If you need assistance filling out the workbook, please contact Connie Mendolia at Connie.Mendolia@ct.gov or 860-424-3243. If you are unable to reach Connie, please contact Eric Hammerling at Eric.Hammerling@ct.gov. 

Your workbook will be reviewed and receive a final score by the DEEP’s Pollution Prevention Program staff.

Instructions for Submitting the Workbook

E-mail a copy of the completed workbook to the DEEP’s Pollution Prevention Program: 

Connie Mendolia, Connie.Mendolia@ct.gov  - 860-424-3243

Certification

If your business scores 100 points, you qualify for an automatic certification from the State for two years. In two years, you will need to increase the point total to 130 and reapply to be eligible for a free re-certification.

Upon final scoring of the workbook, you will be sent an official letter detailing your point total and possible additional low cost recommendations. You will also receive an electronic Connecticut Green Lodging logo that you can begin using for marketing and advertising purposes. Your lodging facility will also be designated as "green" on the DEEP and Connecticut Office of Tourism websites.

Audits

The Pollution Prevention Program Manager will randomly select businesses for verification appointments throughout the year. These visits will be scheduled.

Resources For Creating Green Lodging

The following resources, websites, case studies and articles offer additional ideas for creating "green" lodging. Most of the following resources are PDFs. This listing is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Connecticut.

Topic	Resources
March 2020! Climate Resilience for Lodging	CT DEEP has developed guidance for 21st century businesses on how to weather the storm that lodging facilities may find helpful. Also available on the P2 Chemical Management and Climate Risk webpage is a link to an interactive map and resources to identify the flood and sea level rise vulnerabilities of addresses.   These documents were written to help building owners and managers make their properties more resilient. Climate Resilience Template: The template provides a structure for resilience planning based on best practices and existing resources. The steps take you from creating an internal team through resilience strategy implementation.  Climate Resilience Workbook: The workbook is a compendium to the template, providing an excel format to work through each stage of a resilience plan based on data specific to your property.  Vendor List: As some properties do not have the resources to complete all stages of resiliency planning, a list of experienced professionals and the climate resiliency services they offer is also provided.
Associations and Certifications	Green Hotels Association Green Restaurant Association Green Key Eco Rating  Green Seal™ Green Lodging Program, Arthur Weissman, President and CEO, Green Seal, Inc. Green Seal™ Standards for Lodging Properties
Bed Bugs	If You Can't Stand the Heat, Get Out of the Hotel!, Rob Coburn, 11/01/2010.
Chlorine Reduction	Chlorine Use Takes a Dive in Public Pool Experiment, Beth Quimby, 12/20/2010
Cleaning Products	What Hoteliers Should Know About Green Cleaning Products and Practices  by Dan Ruben, Executive Director, Boston Green Tourism
Combined Heat and Power	American DG Energy Now Operating CHP System at (Boston) Doubletree Guest Suites, 01/06/2011
Communications	Effective Communications To Promote Your Hotel's Green Practices (EPA)
Composting	Composting resources (CT DEEP) Food Composting for Hotels, Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia (presentation) Composting at the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel, Megan Proctor
Energy Efficiency	Bluestone Energy help the Colonnade Hotel Reduce its Carbon Footprint, 11/09/2010 Diagnosing Heat Loss and Moisture Problems in Buildings - Infrared Analyzer, Inc. Marriott Copley Energy Retrofit Project Green Elevator Upgrades Can Keep Operating Costs ‘Going Down’ Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) HVAC Systems: Hotel Applications  - is a very energy efficient HVAC technology that's common in Japan and Europe and becoming increasingly popular here.  It uses refrigerant as the cooling and heating medium, rather than water.  The refrigerant is circulated to building fan-coil units.
Energy Management Systems	Energy Management System Suppliers Build On Proven, Money-Saving Technologies, 2/3/2011
Food and Beverage	NEW! a recorded webinar presented by CT DEEP is available. “Going Green with Food Waste for Event Venues, Banquet Facilities, and Hotels…”presents information on how diverting food waste at your site will reduce your trash and set your facility on a green path. Food diversion programs from four companies are included.   Greening Food and Beverage Services: A Green Seal™ Guide to Transforming the Industry, published by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), shows how food service affects air quality, oceans, fresh waters, and land use, and how food and beverage professionals can implement practices to make positive changes.  Fairmont Zooms Past Mere "Local" Cuisine With New HyperLocal Menu Items A recent study found that almost one-half of the food served at hotel buffets goes uneaten. Read The Tragedy of the Buffet: Reducing Food Waste at Hotels. NEW! Fighting Food Waste in Hotels - World Wildlife Fund and American Hotel and Lodging Assn. released innovative strategies aimed at reducing food waste in the hotel industry that can also applied to all food service institutions, including restaurants, cruises, and catering companies. Hotelkitchen.org includes a toolkit with 10 case studies and the Appendices have links to training videos, waste reducing menus, and overcoming common challenges.
General Resources	Green Lodging Trends Report 2016 -  Hotel Industry Sustainability Benchmarking report based on results of 2016 Green Lodging Survey with data from more than 2,000 hotels in 44 countries. Green Hospitality Resource Guide, Dan Ruben. Information on the most important topics for greening lodging properties. Includes internet documents, websites and programs that hoteliers can join.  NEW! Green Lodging Calculator estimates  financial and environmental benefits from sustainable practices. Boston Green Tourism offers a variety of information for hotels to stay current on sustainability. A newsletter is published bi-weekly.
Green Teams	Wells Fargo 5 Best Practices for Engaging Your Green Teams, Deborah Fleischer, 01/10/2011, GreenBiz.com
Furniture	The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has created a new Healthier Furniture Product Guide to help purchasers find products that do not contain the “hazardous handful” chemicals: flame retardants, fluorinated stain treatments, antimicrobials, PVC and formaldehyde.
Indoor Air Quality	Lodging, Indoor Air Quality (EPA) Entrepreneurs, Hotels Cashing In on Traveler Willingness to Pay More for Purified Air
Integrated Pest Management	Integrated Pest Management For Urban Hotels, Dan Ruben, Executive Director, Boston Green Tourism
Kitchens	Energy Efficient Kitchen Ventilation, Olaf Zwickau
Laundry	Greening Your Hotel's Laundry
Lighting	LED lighting products and dimmability NSTAR LED Give Away Program Update, Noah Thompson, Business Development Manager, Munro Distributing.
Mattress Recycling	Information about mattress recycling in CT Hilton Announces Worldwide Mattress Recycling Program
Publications	Green Lodging News - The lodging industry's leading environmental news source, including "more cool videos" that educate the hospitality industry about new research, products, and technologies.
Pollution Prevention	Pollution Prevention in the Hospitality Industry (EPA)
Renovations	New Hostel Planned for Historic Stuart Street, (Boston) building, Jeremy C. Fox (Fact sheet) With $18 Million Renovation, Westin Copley Will Build on Green Record, Glenn Hasek Westin Copley - Triple Play - Green initiatives at the hotel
Sustainability	Mohegan Sun Hotel and Casino Bets on Environmental Practices - CT resort is a leader in energy efficiency, recycling and water savings. Yellowstone Park and Connecticut Green Lodging, information on many sustainable hotel activities.  Sustainable Solution for Hotels, Global Stewards EcoGreen Hotel Every Major Hotel Chain Is Going to Have A Carbon Footprint Rating Four Seasons Hotel (Boston) Environmental Achievements, Executive Chef, Brooke Vosika and James Kiley, Director of Engineering The Langham, Boston: Environmental Sustainability Plus Green Initiatives contains creative solutions for bathroom recycling, plastic waste reduction, renewable energy, ware washing, laundry, pool chemicals, food and community initiatives.
Transportation	Hubway to branch out next spring (bike stations) A Better City, Transportation Management Association (ABC TMA).  ABC has an impressive array of transportation services for hotel employees. TMA membership package.
Waste Reduction	Waste Management Guide, Dan Ruben, Executive Director, Boston Green Tourism Organics Recycling in CT and Managing Food Waste at Large Facilities Green Hotels: Opportunities and Resources for Success, Zero Waste Alliance  Increasing Employee engagement in recycling, Green Hotelier How a Waste Consulting Company Can Help Your Hotel, Innovative Cost Solutions, LLC Water Dispensing/Purification Systems a Viable, Profitable Alternative to Single-Use Plastic, Glass Bottles
Weddings and Meetings	ASTM Green Meeting Standards Green Meeting  (EPA) Green Weddings and Meetings,   Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Green, Rauni Kew, Inn by the Sea

Connecticut Green Hotel Workshops and Webinars

Several training sessions were held in partnership with Boston Green Tourism and EPA.

September 26, 2019 at Manchester Community College
How Businesses Can Target Cost Minimization and Environmental Responsibility: The Case of Saybrook Point Inn and Spa
Connecticut Green Lodging : Saving $$ by Adding Green Practices, Kim Trella - CT DEEP
A Look at What Saybrook Point Inn & Marina is Doing to Green Their Facility, Kate Mosley  

September 12, 2017
“Managing Food Waste for Commercial Facilities and Helping Your Bottom Line”
Managing Food Waste at Large Facilities, Kim Trella, CT DEEP Pollution Prevention
Organics Recycling in CT, Caren Harder, CT DEEP Recycling

Boston Green Tourism, October 2014
Reducing Toxics, Peter Cooke

September 2014 Webinar Presentations
Mohegan Sun Energy Management System
Mohegan Sun Food Waste Management
Saybrook Point Inn and Marina Green Initiatives

Spring 2014 Webinar Presentations -  organized by Dan Ruben of Boston Green Tourism and Peter Cooke of the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences and funded by US EPA.
How U.S. Hotels Benefit by Going Green
Energy Efficient Motors for Hotels
How U.S. Hotels Reduce Energy Use
Green Up Your Food Service
Green Hotel Renovations
Toxic Use Reduction in Hotels
Window Film: How it Benefits Hotels
Stormwater Management for Hotels

Fall 2013 Webinar
How to Save Money and Attract Business by Greening Your Hotel
Presentation by Dan Ruben with many easy and practical tips to save money while adding green features to your hotel. 

Fall 2013 Webinar
People, Planet, Profit: Benefiting from Sustainable Initiatives in Hospitality
Presentation by Rauni Kew

Fall 2011 Workshop
This workshop was held at the Hartford Downtown Marriott on September 29. Topics covered were: how to earn CT Green Lodging Certification, energy efficiency, kitchen ventilations systems, LED lighting, green renovations, waste management and marketing sustainable initiatives.

Presentations (all PDFs)

• CT Energy Incentives for 2011: Five Best Energy Efficiency Ideas for Hotels , Glen Eigo, Energy Engineer, CL&P 
• LED lighting: What Hoteliers Need To Know, Misha Glazomitsky, Munro Distributing
• Energy Efficient Kitchen Ventilation Systems, Rae Lena Simonoko, Air Solutions & Balancing, LLC
• Green Hotel Renovations, Craig Nicholson, Ajax Consulting Services, LLC
• Waste Management For Hotels and Restaurants, Dan Ruben
• Energy Efficiency Initiatives at Marriott Hartford Downtown, Robert Smith, Marriott Hartford Downtown
• Marketing and PR for the Triple Bottom Line: Benefiting from Sustainable Initiatives in Hospitality, Rauni Kew, PR & Green Programs, Inn by the Sea

Spring 2010 Workshops
Workshops were held on March 18 at The Study at Yale in New Haven; April 1 at the Saybrook Point Inn and Spa in Old Saybrook; and May 6 at the The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk.

Presentations (all PDFs) 

The topics covered at the spring 2010 workshops included energy efficiency, water use reduction, waste management and how to earn CT Green Lodging Certification.

• Greening Your CT Hotel, Dan Ruben
• Reducing Energy Use in Your CT Hotel, Dan Ruben
• Energy Saving Opportunities For Hotels, Glen Eigo, Energy Engineer, CL&P and Roy W. Haller, Manager Energy Services, UI
• How To Reduce Water Use in CT Hotels, Daniel Cook, Conservation Solutions Corporation 
• Casella Waste Systems, Scott Chase, Resource Optimization Consultant, Casella Waste & Recycling Services, (800) 675-9902 ext. 3336
• Saybrook Point Inn and Spa, Stephen Tagliatela, Innkeeper
• New Haven Premiere Hotel and Suites (Saunders Hotel Group), Elaine Strunk

Fall 2010 Workshops 
Workshops were held at the Holiday Inn, Waterbury on Oct. 14 and the Sheraton Hartford Hotel on Oct. 28.

Presentations (all PDFs)
The fall workshops focused on how to earn CT Green Lodging Certification, lighting, energy management, green cleaning and serving local food.

• Advances in Lighting for Hotels, Tom Varela, GE Lighting
• Energy Management Systems in Hospitality, Eric Capodiece, INNCOM International, Inc.
• Green Cleaning for Hotels, by Eastern Bag and Paper
• Serving Connecticut Food to Connecticut Guests, Linda Piotrowicz, CT Dept. of Agriculture, Farm to Chef Program
• Toxics Use Reduction in Hotels, CT DEEP

Content last updated July 2024