It Ain't Easy Being Green!

There are two Landmark Hotel Group properties in the process of "Going Green."

Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center in Suffolk, VA will be "green" as of August 11, 2008. Candlewood Suites in Virginia Beach, VA has been listed with Virginia Green since June 26, 2008. Kudos to the two hotels that are leading the way with many responsible initiatives that I am sure the Landmark Hotel Group will be looking at implementing company-wide.

And they're in good company. Some of the finer hotels in the commonwealth are on board, as well as the Virginia Beach Convention Center. In fact, the city of Virginia Beach has become the commonwealth's first "green destination."

I anticipate that more hotels, restaurants, convention facilities, and actual events will be heading toward greener pastures soon.

I've even been inspired to pay closer attention to what I'm doing at home, making better (i.e. more frequent) use of that recycling bin the city has provided me, jacking up the thermostat a little higher during these hot summer months, replacing incandescent bulbs with fluorescent ones, mowing twice a month instead of weekly, and shopping for a new bike to take me on shorter trips around town.

Hey, every little bit helps, right?

Virginia.org offers some fantastic "Eco-friendly travel tips," as well as other ideas for travelers looking to enjoy the planet without trashing it.

If your company is looking to conduct a "green" event, there are some great guidelines listed on the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality site that you should consider.

If your company hasn't looked at ways to reduce its impact on the environment, perhaps you can be the one to begin initiating programs, no matter how small, at your place of employment. After all, "Going Green" can also mean "saving money." Being environmentally responsible isn't economically irresponsible. Initial costs involved with pushing your home or workplace into the green can quickly be recovered by energy cost savings alone.