Open a Green Bed & Breakfast or Inn
GreenBusinessOwner
All small businesses can benefit from the efficiencies and money-saving
strategies of becoming a green (or at least greener) operation. The
cottage industry standard, the bed and breakfast, is certainly no
exception. In fact, running a green bed and breakfast or inn may be one
of the wisest decisions an owner or potential owner of a small
hospitality business could make.
Depending on the location of your B&B, it can be a challenge to
get noticed among the wide and ever-growing field of competing
businesses. Being able to advertise your commitment to a healthy
environment, healthful food, and sustainable businesses practices can
make your business stand out from the crowd, as well as attract the
growing numbers of eco-savvy travelers who look for low-impact ways of
vacationing.
Ideas
to make your Bed and Breakfast or Inn Green:
- Use green
remodeling or green building practices.
Choose low VOC paints,
sustainable or recycled woods, and solid surfaces. Choose energy
efficient lighting (CFL and/or LED lamps). Insulate the structure well
and strongly consider eco-friendly insulation products such as
soy-based spray foam, recycled paper blown cellulose, wool, or cotton
batting. Use natural lighting and natural cooling through cross
ventilation or stack ventilation when possible. Install ceiling fans.
- Install energy
efficient appliances.
Strongly consider
front-loading clothes washers for guest towels, which use less
electricity and can save 7,000 gallons of water each year. Look for
Energy Star ratings on any appliances you choose.
- Consider
alternative energy.
Skystream 3.7 Wind Turbine
A true eco-conscious
traveler may expect small scale wind turbines or photovoltaic panels
outside a green B&B or inn. Why disappoint them? An alternative
energy system can be a huge initial capital outlay, but many states
have reimbursement programs that will offset a large percentage of the
cost. In many areas, you will be able to sell any surplus energy you
generate back to your utility. Your utility may also offer programs
that will allow you to buy your energy through renewable energy
sources. Essentially, they purchase whatever amount of electricity you
use as a member of the program from green energy sources such as
windfarms. If you do elect to use this type of program for your energy,
be sure to let your guests know that you are doing it. Get credit for
your good stewardship!
- Choose
organic and local foods for the meals you serve.
- Offer
organic, health oriented personal care products for guests.
- Use organic
cotton sheets on guest beds. How about organic cotton robes?
- Institute a
water-saving towel policy.
Simple signage in
bathrooms explaining your desire to reduce unnecessary energy and water
waste and directing guests to place towels that they wish to have
replaced on the floor and hanging towels that they plan to reuse.
- Place in-room
entertainment electronics on a switch or switchable power strip.
Reduce phantom
loads associated with electronics by making it easy for them
to be turned completely off when not in use. Again, tasteful signage
may be necessary to explain the process to guests. Better yet, leave
the TV out of the rooms completely.
- Recycle and
make recycling easy for guests with prominent sorting bins.
- Use
eco-friendly cleaning products to maintain the facility.
- Consider
making healthy activities a part of guest's experience.
Offer maps for local
hikes. Consider making loaner bicycles available for local
transportation. If you setting is appropriate for it, how about loaner
mountain bikes and maps of local trails?
- Promote other
green businesses.
Offer information or
brochures on eco-tours, nature hikes, or other healthful activities for
guests to take advantage of during their stay.
Promote Your Green Business Choices
Whatever choices you make that will make your hospitality business
green, be sure to take advantage of the favorable impression and
publicity associated with your decisions. Include mention of your green
policies in any ads or brochures. Send press releases to local,
area-wide, and state-wide media about what you are doing. Energy is big
news right now and many media outlets are on the lookout to balance
some of the negative reporting that has dominated any mention of energy
in their reporting for the last few years. Give them a positive example
in your business and they could be all over your bright
little, environmentally-friendly Inn or B&B.
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