Hospitality Industry Green practices to reduce energy usage and pollution.

Hospitality Industry Green practices to reduce energy usage and pollution.

Water Usage *Install low flow toilets *Install low flow shower heads *Install low flow aerators on sinks *Implement guest towel/linen reuse program *Formula One (Eco Labs) system installed in laundry which reduces wash and rinse cycles. *Ozone laundry systems that do not use hot water

Electric Usage *Replace incandescent bulbs with CFL or LED *Install Programmable Thermostats *Install timers on storage closet lights *Install sensors on outside building and parking lights *Purchase newer energy efficient equipment on replacement cycles

Recycling *Install recycling containers in public areas *Install recycling containers in guest rooms *Implement recycling program for hazardous materials, i.e. batteries, CFL bulbs, ballasts, etc.

Other measures *Develop Environmental Policy Statement *Purchase Energy Star labeled appliances/equipment *Purchase paper products with post consumer recycled content *Monitor electric, gas, water and waste usage information on a monthly and annual basis *Use of biodegradable detergents, cleaners, reduce phosphates, etc. *Use of low VOC paints *Earth friendly landscape practices, i.e., leave grass clippings, eliminate chemicals on lawns, plant beds

Other measures *Food facilities composting of food waste items *Buying local where possible *Chlorine alternatives in pool areas, i.e., saltwater chlorinator *Purchase in bulk

Kansas State University Green Lodging Intern Program The Residence Inn, Overland Park, KS participated in the Kansas State University Green Lodging Intern Program. For the past two years we have hosted a PPI Intern. The first year in 2010 the intern took a snapshot look at three of our Overland Park properties for conservation opportunities. This past year we expanded this and were able to facilitate the intern for detailed visits at ten Kansas City Area hotels. The hotels ranged in size from 105 to 389 rooms and were evaluated on conservation, energy, water and waste reduction needs. The intern also helped us to develop an environmental policy statement. This was an excellent educational opportunity for the hotels that participated and provided some much needed direction for the hotel s staff in how to get started on such measures. I believe that there is opportunity to expand this into more hotels in our local market and that it should be offered in other cities across the country. Another key component is to engage corporate staff of the major hotel brands to further integrate these new products and practices into their existing standards and raise awareness levels.

Project Summary PPI Intern Project Summary Page 2011 Project description Annual estimated environmental impact Annual estimated cost savings Status Water faucet aerators 2,717,316 gal $15,012 Recommended Water showerheads 5,966,646 gal $33,902 Recommended Lighting upgrades 282,465 kwh $18,998 Recommended** Occupancy sensors 81,641 kwh $5,770 Recommended Timers 25,740 kwh $2,024 Recommended HVAC CoolNSave system 256,278 kwh $17,110 Recommended** HVAC VSD on AHUs 210,464 kwh $15,653 Recommended** HVAC VSD on pumps 1,148,360 kwh $80,385 Recommended Solid-waste reduction 15 tons $658 In Progress Total savings * GHG reductions * 8,683,962 gal, 2,004,948***kWh, 15 tons solid waste $189,512 1595.289 metric tons CO2e

PPI Intern Project Environmental Policy Statement Environmental Policy Statement The Residence Inn recognizes the potential deleterious effects to the environment that can be associated with the operation of a hotel. In an effort to curtail these effects, our hotel is committed to implementing a rigorous policy that involves taking proactive measures to prevent pollution and conserve resources, while also maintaining quality services to our guests. We acknowledge the need for responsible and sustainable environmental management at all levels, and will strive to incorporate good environmental practices into all of our decisions and operations. In pursuit of this venture, we will evaluate all hotel activities and will seek to improve any that adversely affect the environment. We will seek to minimize waste and emissions that result from any such activities, all while conserving resources and improving energy efficiency. In order to ensure that this policy materializes ideally, it is necessary to awaken a sense of environmental responsibility among all employees, suppliers, subcontractors, and customers; this will be done via a slew of training programs and subsequent compliance checks. This process will likewise include the public display of information to customers and guests so as to educate them regarding the impact of our activities on the environment, and also to encourage them to assist us in achieving our goals. We will comply with existing environmental legislation and will collaborate with authorities regarding environmental protection. We will also aim to discover novel methods of ameliorating the state of the environment. Performance will be monitored and reviewed regularly so as to fuel progress and constant improvement. This policy will be revised periodically so as to ensure its applicability to the activities of the hotel and to the industry s evolving standards.

How to help business *Focus on educational opportunities i.e., JCCO offers educational seminars on a broad range of topics to hotel employees for our local hotel association. *Continue with K-State Green intern program and expand into more hotels and markets.

Barriers for Business *Fear of major expenditures *Fear of regulation *Confusion about green practices and how to implement *Lack of time *Lack of direction from higher up chain of command