Chicago hotels receive Green Seal certification

Kimpton’s three Chicago boutique hotels recently received Green Seal certification, which was awarded to only five Chicago properties. Hotel Allegro, Hotel Burnham and Hotel Monaco Chicago all received Green Seal certification as a result of a constant push to implement and maintain green practices at each hotel.

An independent not-for-profit organisation, Green Seal certifies lodging properties that meet stringent environmental requirements in waste minimisation, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste water management, and environmentally responsible practices.

Green Seal’s certification process involves analysis of the hotels’ purchasing records, processes and procedures, as well as an on-site audit of the property. Certification grants the hotel license to use the Green Seal mark for one year, after which the hotel is audited for continued compliance.

“Having our EarthCare initiatives validated by such an important organisation like Green Seal acknowledges that we are doing the right things for the environment and our business,” said Michael Depatie, CEO and president of Kimpton Hotels. “We are extremely proud to be associated with Green Seal and look forward to continually helping raise the bar on environmental consciousness.”

The Chicago Kimpton hotels began their pursuit of Green Seal certification in 2007 as part of the City of Chicago’s Climate Action Plan and the Green Hotels Initiative, a collaborative effort to secure Green Seal certifications for more hotels in Chicago than any other city in the US.

Since then, Hotel Allegro, Hotel Burnham and Hotel Monaco have enhanced over 40 operating practices under Kimpton’s EarthCare programme, which encompasses all eco initiatives at Kimpton hotels and restaurants. These practices were expanded to meet Green Seal standards, further reducing the hotels’ ecological impact and improving sustainability. Such practices include:

• Aggressive recycling programmes.
• Elimination of hazardous chemicals in all paints and cleaning products.
• Back-of-house energy efficiencies such as using Compact Florescent Lamp (CFL) lighting and cupboard light sensors.
• Comprehensive green purchasing policies.

As part of the certification process, Kimpton’s Chicago hotels have also begun feasibility studies on progressive solutions such as waste composting.

Other Kimpton properties are also currently working towards certification. Implementation of EarthCare practices has resulted in significant savings at each individual hotel and across the company. For example, in 2007, Kimpton’s company-wide paper reduction efforts saved 54,509 pounds of waste from landfills. In-room recycling efforts led to the recycling of 9.5 million pounds of paper products and 3.8 million pounds of plastic, glass and aluminum. The company also converted 51,070 gallons of chemicals to non-toxic cleaners.

For more information on Green Seal visit Greenseal.org.

For more about Kimpton Hotels, log on to Kimptonhotels.com.