Green Travel Terms and Definitions

Green Travel - Travel in which a positive environmental impact is kept to a maximum and a negative environmental impact is kept to a minimum.

Green Hotel - An environmentally friendly property whose management takes into consideration processes and procedures that can help positively affect their surrounding environments.

Green Car Rental - A car rental that is either a hybrid, runs on an alternative fuel source (such as biofuel), or is highly fuel efficient.

Carbon Footprint - A carbon footprint is the total amount of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) and other greenhouse gases produced during the life of a product or service. This translates to: the amount of junk you are leaving in the environment after doing or using "x."

Carbon Offsetting - Programs that help travelers negate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions their particular trip will create in the atmosphere. Programs either work to offset pollution that has already been expelled into the atmosphere by planting trees which will consume the carbon dioxide and help clean up the mess. Or they focus on supporting clean energy and its progression, in the form of wind power, solar power, hydroelectric power and biofuel.

Greenhouse Gas- A gas in the atmosphere that absorbs heat and contributes to the greenhouse effect. Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, and nitrous oxide are all greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse Effect- The natural process that keeps the earth warm. The earth's atmosphere contains many trace gases, including greenhouse gasses. Some greenhouse gasses occur naturally in the atmosphere, others are emitted by humans. The greenhouse gasses trap heat (from the sun) in the atmosphere and keep it from escaping back in to space, acting as a blanket around the Earth.

Global Warming - Global warming is directly caused by the substantial increase in greenhouse gas emissions made by man. It is defined as the continued increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and it's oceans during recent decades…and its projected continuation.

Green Hotel Terms and Definitions

Sheets and Towels Reuse Program - This hotel promotes and encourages energy and water conservation by offering a sheets and towels reuse program. When housekeeping cleans your room, they will simply make your bed with the same sheets you used the night before, and hang up your towels (just like you do at home).

Supports or Uses Alternative Energy Sources - This hotel supports or uses clean energy in the form of wind power, solar power, hydroelectric power and/or biofuel.

Participates in an Energy Conservation Program - This hotel is energy effiecient and conserves energy through one or more of the following: energy efficient lights and appliances, a "lights out" and/or appliances off rule when they are not in use, whether stripping or insulation.

Compact Fluorescent Lighting - This hotel uses compact fluorescent lighting which is brighter, lasts years longer, and uses a fraction of the amount of energy than standard lighting.

Uses Energy Star Appliances - This hotel uses appliances with Energy Star ratings. The Energy Star rating is awarded to appliances that provide large gains in energy efficiency and reduction of pollution.

Uses the Green Key Card- This hotel has taken a huge step by swapping out their non-biodegradable PVC plastic keys with recyclable paperboard Green Key Cards.  Read more about them at http://www.greenkeycard.com.

Uses Bulk Soap & Toiletries (as opposed to individually wrapped) - This hotel reduces a huge amount of waste by using bulk soap and toiletries. Individually wrapped toiletries waste plastic and paper, and are often used only once and then thrown away.

Recycles: Newspapers, Disposables, Service Items, In-Room Recycling - This hotel has a recycling program in place for one or more of the following: Newspapers, Disposables, Service Items, or In-Room Recycling.

Educates Staff and/or Guests About Greenness, and/or Participates in Green Programs - This hotel participates in green programs, and spends time educating its staff and/or guests about those programs.

Composts Food Waste - This hotel composts it's food waste. Composting is the biological breakdown of organic materials into nutrient rich soil. It is a natural decomposition that occurs with the help of fungi, bacteria, and other organisms. Composting reduces waste, and the nutrient rich soil helps decrease the amount of water plants need.

Offers Organic Food - This hotel offers organic food. Organic food is food that has been grown without using any pesticides, hormones, or fertilizers.

Uses Non-toxic Earth Friendly Cleaning Agents - This hotel uses non-toxic cleaning agents. This includes in guest rooms, bathrooms, laundry facilities, kitchens, dining areas and outside.

Uses Re-Usable Service Items (non-disposable cups, plates, silverware, etc) - This hotel reduces waste considerably by using re-usable plates, cups, dishes, and silverware in their rooms and for room service.

Gives to Non-profits - This hotel contributes to the community by donating regularly to non-profit organizations.

Conserves Water - This hotel has programs in place to conserve water. These can include low-flow showers and toilets, watering plants in the evening hours and/or xeriscaping, and of course sheets and towel re-use programs (with guest participation).

Low-Flow Showers/Toilets - This hotel uses Low-Flow Showers and/or Toilets. Using low flow showers and toilets can reduce water use by 50%! Contrary to popular belief, water pressure is not compromised by using these systems.

Xeriscaped or Native Plant Gardens - This hotel uses landscaping that is xeriscaped or has native plant gardens. These types of gardens do not require regular sprinkler systems or regular watering which helps with water conservation. The use of native plants preserves the environment of the area. Plants whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate are emphasized, and care is taken to avoid losing water to evaporation and run-off.

Fresh-Air Exchange System - This hotel is a part of a fresh-air exchange system or they allow it's windows to open so that guests can breathe fresh and healthy air.

Is A State Certified Green Property - This hotel has met the qualifications of it's state to be certified as a Green Property.  Each state has different requirements and some certifications are harder to achieve than others.