Just how environmentally friendly is that hotel you want to book for vacation? Check websites that do environmental ratings (two of the best are listed below) or ask these questions:
Does the hotel power up with renewable energy sources such as solar or wind?
Does it use nontoxic cleaning agents?
Does the hotel buy carbon offsets (by partnering with companies that plant trees or in other ways offset carbon emissions, which contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer)?
Does its restaurant serve local, organic foods?
Does the hotel recycle and make it easy for guests to comply?
Does it educate guests about how they can go green in their own lives?
Websites that rate hotels for their environmental practices include www.travelgreen wisconsin.com, the website of that state's certification program, which lists certified businesses that cater to tourists, including restaurants, hotels, golf courses and marinas. Click on "business listings" on the home page to get started. For hotels nationwide, check www. environmentallyfriendly hotels.com, which rates hotels on a scale of up to seven "trees"; search by state or hotel name.
