Travelers Leave Their "Green" Behaviors at Home

When they travel, most people leave their "green" behaviors at home. Avid recyclers toss soda cans and water bottles in the trash. Hybrid car owners board gas-guzzling buses. Energy conscious homeowners walk into hotel rooms, crank up the A/C and leave the lights burning when they leave the room. In a new study, 59% of travelers said they don't pay attention to "keeping it green" when they travel. The study sampled environmentally conscious consumers who practiced energy saving and recycling efforts at home. On the road, the study found, their actions weren't quite so "green."

• 60% leave a bathroom light on overnight in their hotel room.
• 70% use a new sample-size bottle of shampoo and conditioner for every shower.
• 63% leave the lights on when they leave their hotel room.
• 75% want their bed linens changed daily.
• 85% let the water run while brushing their teeth.

Why would practices ingrained and carped on at home, go so easily by the wayside when traveling? Convenience and money. Recycling options (separate plastic, can and paper bins, etc.) are not available at most tourist locations or hotels. But the most common reason given for slipping up was lack of money saved.

One frequent traveler admitted, "When I stay in a hotel, one reason I use water and energy less efficiently is because I don't have to pay for it."

Element hotels is trying to make it easier for travellers to stay "green" when they travel. They've come up with some energy-saving solutions geared to provide a relaxing and comfortable -- and "green" -- hotel stay. Here are some of the things you'll soon find in Element hotels:

• Shampoo and conditioner dispensers instead of sample bottles.
• Low-flow sink faucets and toilets that will save about 4,359 gallons of water annually per room.
• Environmentally friendly decor and design, like flooring and wall-covering make of 100% recycled materials.
• Recycling bins.
• Energy-saving compact florescent light bulbs in lamps and ceiling fixtures which will reduce energy used by 75%.
• Biophilic design that uses natural light to "bring the outdoors in" and allows travelers to connect with their environment.

Starwood Senior VP Sue Brush explained the Element concept: "No one wants a lecture on the environment when they travel. The idea behind Element is to make smart choices intuitive and to support our guests' sustainable lifestyle, so we can simultaneously accommodate our guests and the environment."