Best Western Grand Venice Hotel
	431 Dual Highway Hagerstown, MD 21740 301-733-0830 www.grandvenicehotel.com We are a Green Hotel because we have implemented several programs to reduce our carbon footprint on the environment. It is not only the programs we have in place but the belief by both ownership and the staff that everything must be done in order to reduce our impact on the environment. Management and Leadership Environment Policy Statement Environmental Team: Our team consists of myself, my sales manager, my operations manager, and my maintenance manager. We meet twice a month to determine if there are any ways to cut on utility costs and be more environmentally conscience. Set Annual Goals: One way we are reviewing our environmental impact is by measuring our utility consumption in relation to the number of rooms we have and trying to get the number to go lower and lower every year. Environmentally Preferable Procurement or Purchasing Policy: To the extent possible, we try to purchase environmentally-friendly products, as long as the cost is not too exorbitant. An example, is the EcoLab laundry and detergent products we purchase our environmentally-friendly. Recycling and Waste Reduction Recycling Best Practices: Glass Aluminum Cans Steel Cans Plastic Office Paper Printer and copy machine toner cartridges Newspaper Cardboard Packing Supplies Fluorescent Lamps Batteries Electronics equipment Guests are provided the opportunity to Recycle: We provide guests the ability to recycle by having recycling bins in the parking lot. Waste Reduction Best Practices: Track overall waste bills Have a numeric goal to reduce overall materials that go to the landfill Instruct housekeeping to save and reuse unopened items Donate excess food from events Purchase locally grown produce and other foods Use non-bleached napkins and coffee filters Provide condiments, cream and sugar, etc. in bulk Use water pitches and filtered water to minimize the use of single-use bottles Use bulk soap dispensers in public restrooms Purchase recycled-content paper-towels and toilet paper Use a last-in/first-out inventory and effective labeling systems Make 2-sided copies / printed materials Use electronic correspondence and forms Using 'green' cleaning chemicals that are dispensed in bulk Purchase durable equipment and furniture Properly recycle and/or dispose of thinners and solvents Perform preventative maintenance on all appliances, HVAC systems, plumbing, and vehicles Use less toxic materials Use 'integrated pest management' -IPM- Minimize use of pesticides and herbicides in landscaping		Linen and Laundry Service: Provide optional linen service - Change linens only upon request Train house cleaners on process for optional linen service Use non-phosphate, non-toxic and biodegradable laundry detergents. Minimize the use of bleach and chlorinated chemicals. We have the housekeepers turn off all lights and PTAC units in rooms where the guest may have left them on. Water Conservation: Have a plan in place to reduce property water usage Track overall water usage and wastewater Have a numeric goal to reduce water consumption over time Perform preventative maintenance to stop drips and leaks Discourage water-based cleanup, i.e. like sweep first, and use microfiber technology mops Have an effective landscape management plan which utilizes drought tolerant species, metering and rain gauges, and/or minimizes lawn areas. Energy Conservation: Have a plan in place to reduce property energy usage Track overall energy bills Have had an energy audit to identify efficiency opportunities Have a numeric goal to reduce energy usage over time High efficiency compact fluorescent light bulbs in all rooms and in canned lighting LED Exit Signs High efficiency fluorescent ballasts and lamps - T-5's & T-8's Have a high efficiency heating and air conditioning HVAC system Perform preventative maintenance on HVAC system Have individual thermostats for each room Have installed additional insulation Purchase of ENERGY STAR computers, appliances, etc. Green Conferences and Events: Support planners who want to hold Green Meetings & Conferences Measurable Results We have switched many of our lights to LED's and energy efficient bulbs, as well as initiated programs whereby electricity is either shut-off or reduced throughout the hotel when possible. These steps have reduced our kilowatt hours consumed per room from 45.88 kwh/room in 2009 to 28.15 kwh/room in 2010.