Resources
Sustainability & Green Initiatives 5 Business Drivers 
Environmental concerns are big news today. “Green buildings” and “carbon-neutral” endeavors have received much media attention recently, and interest is growing in all things environmental. With increased public awareness, discussion of changes to our environment and rising oil prices, it is clear that “greening” is one of the major issues of our time.
The hospitality industry has been at the forefront of today’s greening trend. The lodging segment of hospitality in particular has experienced a swell of activity related to environmental and conservation issues. Environmentally conscious measures have gone beyond simple programs to reduce the laundering of linens to encompass every aspect of a facility’s design and the way it is operated.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s and the U.S. Department of Energy’s “Energy Star Program” and the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification are examples of sophisticated measures used to make our physical facilities more environmentally friendly. The operation side of the equation, including the work practices, tools, equipment and materials used on the job, are another huge part of the “green” picture.
Safety, health and environmental professionals must understand the implications of this increased focus on environmental concerns. Ideally, efforts to make an operation more “green” can also result in improved safety and health for workers involved and for the general public.
Greening efforts eliminate or reduce some traditional risks, but they may increase existing risks or introduce new ones. Hospitality Branch members are ready to work within the risk assessment/management areas.
We are proud to present a white paper on the safety implications of the greening of hospitality. This White Paper provides a great starting point for discussion of the implications of greening within the hospitality industry.
