The Boulder Outlook Hotel, based in Boulder, Colo., is committed to sustainable and environmental initiatives in every aspect of its operations, from tremendous waste, water and energy reduction efforts, to using green office supplies, cleaning methods and landscaping practices.
For example, Boulder Outlook Hotel has a goal of diverting 90 percent or more of its waste from the landfill. To achieve this goal, the hotel partnered with another local business Eco-Cycle, one of the largest non-profit recyclers in the U.S.
Through resourceful initiatives, including ditching Styrofoam and plastic cutlery and purchasing to-go containers made from paper or compostable materials, as well as making recycling, composting and trash containers accessible to guests, the hotel has achieved an 85 percent diversion rate.
The paybacks of Boulder Outlook Hotel’s sustainable enterprises are extensive —including a $10,000 per month return, says Dan King, owner of Boulder Outlook.
“The world has turned, and the wind is at our back and really there’s momentum toward business and consumers demanding responsible behavior on the part of people they do business with,” King says.
Recently, by taking advantage of environmental city initiatives, such as EnergySmart and Xcel Energy rebates, Boulder Outlook has nearly completed an extensive lighting retrofit. The hotel is likely to see financial returns on the lighting project in less than a year, King says.
“There’s been some great rebate programs. We’ve made some changes that are no brainers. It makes no sense to not take advantage of them,” King says.
In addition to City of Boulder, Eco-Cycle and Xcel Energy partnerships, Boulder Outlook Hotel has ventures with environmental students groups at the University of Colorado at Boulder, including CU Biodiesel, and other businesses in the area that are helping the hotel to achieve its environmental goals.
By partnering and purchasing products from EcoGreenOffice, such as 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper and recycled ink toner cartridges, Boulder Outlook has been able to reduce the environmental impact of its office supplies. Post-consumer paper means that paper is made from materials created by consumers and diverted from the landfill, as opposed to scraps of virgin paper.
“They make it easy: they have great products, great prices and we know who they are,” King says referring to EcoGreenOffice.
Back in 2006, three years after the hotel opened, it was difficult to source products. But, it’s become easier, King adds.
“I think that’s how you move the market, you got to make it easy for them and EGO really does that,” he says.
The Boulder Outlook Hotel’s environmental initiatives not only help the business save money, and achieve its sustainable goals, but they also add value to the local community and provide a healthier and safer environment for guests.
For example, the hotel collects all packaging peanuts and bubble warp materials that come with deliveries and deliver them to a local candle company Lumia Organics, to use for shipping candles around the country. Items left in the Lost-and-Found box for over 90 days are donated to a local homeless shelter. By offering live music, the hotel supports local musicians.
The hotel uses cleaning products free of toxic chemicals, has never sprayed the landscape with chemical of any kind, and uses bromine and ozone instead of chlorine to sanitize the pool.
Boulder Outlook encourages other hotels and business to incorporate similar sustainable and environmental plans.
“We’ve been a real advocate in that. We’ve shared what’s happened to us. We’ve shared our successes and our failures,” King says.
For more creative ideas for increasing your business's environmental responsibility and saving money, peruse The Boulder Outlook Hotel 2010 Sustainability Report.
Beyond exemplary support and programs for the environment, here’s another reason to check in with the Boulder Outlook:
“We’re a fun, funky hotel. We try to let people know they’ve landed in Boulder when they get here,” King says.
 |
| Boulder Outlook Hotel, based in Boulder, Colo., opens the door to a multitude of green ideas for helping the planet, the local community and ways for your business to save money. |
No comments:
Post a Comment