Trash to Treasure: Reduce Waste and Help Those in Need

As the saying goes, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. But it can be dfficult to figure out “how” for a hotel business. With standard hotel operations being wasteful, there are numerous opportunities for hotels to not only reduce their own waste and associated hauling costs, but also help contribute to their communities whether it be local or international.

Writer Paige Greenfield from O, The Oprah Magazine, has compiled a list of organizations that can help us help others. Although the list was intended for Oprah readers, we found that some of the suggested places to send reusable stuff could very easily apply to most businesses including green hotels. In addition, these waste management solutions can be incorporated into an eco-friendly hotel’s social responsibility programthat could involve both guests and the local community.

Here is a quick list of where your hotel can send it’s stuff:

Cell Phones
Send your company’s old or busted phone to Cell Phone for Soldiers,who then sell the phone and purchase calling cards for troops stationed abroad so they can phone home for free.

Computer Equipment
The National Cristina Foundation will help match the computer equipment with an organization in nearby that needs it. Many are non-profits that are in need of computers, fax machine, printers, monitors and any other parts.

Furniture
Find a local furniture bank that will pick up and distribute the hotel’s furnishings to families in need at FurnitureBank.org. Most accept beds, dressers, nightstands, tables, chairs, sofas and lamps.

Batteries
Don’t toss them into the garbage, instead order a waste RecyclePak kit from EcoGreenHotel Store ($55; EcoGreenHotelStore.com). Fill the kit, which holds 15 pounds, wth any type of battery, including rechargeables found in cell phones and laptops. Drop the prepaid box at any U.S. post office or FedEx location and the company guarantees the batteries will be recycled according to EPA regulations.

Paint, Tools, and Other Building Supplies
Contact a Habitat for Humanity ReStore near you. Each ReStore is different, therefore find a listing at www.habitat.org/cd/env/restore.aspx for information on what they take.

About EcoGreenHotel
EcoGreenHotel LLC is a privately held company dedicated to helping lodging facilities addressesabroad spectrum of sustainability issues. The company provides information, tools, checklists, current news and trends to the hospitality industry through its website, www.EcoGreenHotel.com. In 2009, the company launched an online marketplace for green products and services at www.EcoGreenHotelStore.com. In addition to the online offerings, EcoGreenHotel provides customized consulting services tailored to the needs of the hospitality industry in the areas of energy efficiency and certifications, including LEED, Green Seal and Energy Star. For those properties that have reached certified levels of sustainability, EcoGreenHotel assists with marketing services to position the properties within the growing “green” space and enhance revenue. For further information, emailinfo@EcoGreenHotel.com or call 888.229.0213.

About EcoGreenHotel
EcoGreenHotel LLC is a privately held company dedicated to helping lodging facilities addressesabroad spectrum of sustainability issues. The company provides information, tools, checklists, current news and trends to the hospitality industry through its website, www.EcoGreenHotel.com. In 2009, the company launched an online marketplace for green products and services at www.EcoGreenHotelStore.com. In addition to the online offerings, EcoGreenHotel provides customized consulting services tailored to the needs of the hospitality industry in the areas of energy efficiency and certifications, including LEED, Green Seal and Energy Star. For those properties that have reached certified levels of sustainability, EcoGreenHotel assists with marketing services to position the properties within the growing “green” space and enhance revenue. For further information, emailinfo@EcoGreenHotel.com or call 888.229.0213.

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This release was published on openPR.