Three cool tools that no green hotel office should be without

So, you’ve installed low flow faucets, toilets and showerheads, and started a linen re-use program. You’ve got sparkling new recycle bins strategically placed all around the property. Housekeeping is outfitted with the latest ozone laundry technology to save energy and cut down on chemical use, you’ve got Energy Star appliances around every corner, and your maintenance guy looks like Mr. Universe from climbing all those ladders switching the old-fashioned light bulbs for CFL’s.

Your property has the green thing down pat… or does it? There’s one part of your eco-hotel you might have overlooked when drawing up your sustainability plan – your office.

Here are three new devices that can not only make your life easier, but also make your office – and in turn, your hotel – a little greener:

• SoyPrint laser print cartridges. Soy ink is nothing new, but soy ink in laser print cartridges is. The company that manufactures these cartridges says that the U.S. consumes “more than 100 million cartridges per year. That equates to 100 million pounds or 50,000 tons of material we currently use petroleum to produce.” The cartridges start at $60 and are compatible with many popular printer brands. Visit www.soyprint.net.

• Occupancy Sensors. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average office spends 29% of its energy usage on lighting alone. If you forget to turn off the lights when you leave the office, 100% of that lighting energy is wasted. To prevent that kind of loss, install a simple infrared or ultrasonic motion sensor that cuts the lights when everyone has left the room. Sensors start at $20 and can be purchased online or at most home or hardware stores.

• Solio Hybrid Charger. This little silver doodad can charge your handheld devices using either electric or solar power, and it’s universal – no need to lug around a separate charger for all your devices. One hour of sunlight translates into 20 minutes of talk time or nearly an hour of MP3 music playing. And word on the street is that President Obama has one to charge his trusty Blackberry wherever he goes! Solio models start at $80. Visit www.solio.com.

Got a green office dilemma? EcoGreenHotel is happy to help! Contact us at info@EcoGreenHotel.com.
For more information visit: www.EcoGreenHotel.com