Detailed Survey Guide and Audit Requirements
Detailed Survey Guide and Audit Requirements
Detailed Survey Guide and Audit Requirements
SURVEY GUIDE
AND AUDIT
REQUIREMENTS:
EUROPE*
Excluding UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain which have their own independent guides.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Filter Questions
Required Questions
Energy Questions
Water Questions
Purchasing Questions
Waste Questions
Site Questions
Education & Innovation Questions
F1.
Select yes if your property has an on-site kitchen which serves meals, snacks,
and/or beverages. If your property does not have this feature, selecting no will
remove all food and beverage related questions from the application form
(questions P.1, and Ws.6), and you will only be asked relevant questions.
F2.
Select yes if your property has any indoor or outdoor pools or jacuzzis. If your
property does not have these features, selecting no will remove all pool and
jacuzzi related questions from the application form (questions E.5 and E.6),
and you will only be asked relevant questions.
F3.
Select yes if your property has any landscaping on-site. This includes gardens,
yards, grassy areas, and green roofing. If your property does not have this
feature, selecting no will remove all landscaping related questions from the
application form (questions W.4, S.2, S.3 and S.5), and you will only be asked
relevant questions.
F4.
Please select the date range that your property was constructed. For the
purposes of this question, the date of construction should be considered
when the building was first completed, and not include the date of any type
of renovation.
Required Questions
These activities must be in place for a property
to qualify for the GreenLeaders program.
R1A.
Do you track energy on a regular basis (at least
every 3 months)?
R1B.
Utility tracking tools are sometimes offered by your local utility provider
to help you track your energy consumption.
Tracking Systems can range from an Excel spreadsheet used to log energy
usage data over time to a corporate, in-house tracking program.
R2.
A towel reuse policy changes guest towels only upon request or every few
days, rather than every day. This saves significant amounts of energy and
water, uses fewer chemicals, and results in lower greenhouse gas emissions.
An effective towel reuse plan should include the following:
1. Clear communication to ensure that guests are aware of the option to
reuse their towel.
2. Housekeeping training when staff are initially hired, and then periodically.
3. Regular checks to ensure that housekeeping staff are following the policy.
To learn more about towel reuse programs, please click here.
Note that this is a required practice to qualify for the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders
program.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
R3.
A linen reuse policy changes guest linens only upon request or every few days,
rather than every day. This saves significant amounts of energy and water,
uses fewer chemicals, and results in lower greenhouse gas emissions.
An effective linen reuse plan should also cover the following:
1. Clear communication to ensure that guests are aware of the option to
reuse their linens.
2. Housekeeping training when staff are initially hired and then periodically.
3. Regular checks to ensure that housekeeping staff are following the policy.
To learn more about a linen reuse program, please click here.
Note that this is a required practice to qualify for the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders
program.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
R4A.
Most municipalities and waste haulers offer recycling for glass, some or all
plastics, paper, cardboard, and metals. Recycling reduces the amount of waste
entering landfills or being incinerated, and reduces the amount of resources
being used to produce new materials.
To find out which plastic products can be recycled in your area, check the
plastic type symbol, usually found on the bottom of the packaging, and check
with your local provider which types can be recycled. Plastic types 1 (PET) and
2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled.
To learn more about recycling in hotels, please click here.
If recycling is not available in your geographic area, please select recycling is
not available in my area, and you will be given an exception from meeting
this requirement.
Note that this is a required practice to qualify for the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders
program.
R4B.
R4C.
Paper
Glass
Cardboard
Plastic
Metal
Hotels can sort recyclable from non-recyclable waste in several ways. The most
common ways are:
Guest rooms have recycling bins available, allowing guests to sort their
trash directly.
Common areas have recycling bins available, allowing guests to sort their
trash directly.
Selecting any of these options meets this requirement. If applicable, you may
select more than one.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
R5.
R6.
Printed brochures/pamphlets
On website
Tours/workshops
To learn more about communicating your green practices with guests, please
click here.
Note that this is a required practice to qualify for the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders
program.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
URL of the website that is used to educate guests and visitors about the
propertys green practices.
R7.
Energy efficient light bulbs use significantly less energy than traditional
incandescent and T12 fluorescent lighting. As electric lighting is typically one
of the largest energy users in commercial buildings, these bulbs can result in
significant energy and cost savings. To learn more about energy saving light
bulbs, please click here.
Energy efficient light bulbs include:
T5 and T8 Fluorescent
Note that this is a required practice to qualify for the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders
program.
Incandescent Lighting
Disposal: These are not recyclable, and can be disposed of with other
solid waste.
LED Lighting
Similar size and shape to the incandescent bulb and able to use the same
fixtures. These bulbs often have features such as metal cooling fins.
For more information about LED lighting by the EU Commission, please click
here.
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Fluorescent Lighting
Energy efficiency:
T5: ~90 lumens/watt, highly efficient
T8: ~80 lumens/watt, highly efficient
T12: ~50 lumens/watt, moderately efficient
Expected lifespan:
T5: 20,000+ hours
T8: 15,000+ hours
T12: 7,000+ hours
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Spiral shaped white bulb. Uses the same socket style as incandescent
bulbs.
12
Commonly has a cone shape and used in spot light applications, but they
are also sold in a style very similar looking to an incandescent bulb.
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ENERGY Questions
E1.
Do at least 90% of your guest rooms have
appliances that meet any of the following
qualifications: EU Energy Label A or better, Nordic
Swan certification, or ENERGY STAR qualification
(e.g. 90% of all guestroom TVs are qualified)?
Appliances that are EU Energy Label Class A or better or ENERGY STAR have
been identified by the EU as meeting stringent energy requirements. Each
product is evaluated based upon its category (e.g., televisions, refrigerators)
and must also meet specific performance standards.
Products that are EU Energy Label rated are identified by the tag (as shown
below). The label is also commonly placed on marketing the brochures and
instructional manuals. To see available EU Energy Label qualified appliances,
please click here.
Appliances which are eligible for credit:
TV
Refrigerator
Other
You may click Other if you have any other EU Energy Label Class A or better
or ENERGY STAR qualified product in at least 90% of guest rooms which
is not listed here. If selected, you will be required to write in the type of
appliance.
point is awarded for each EU Energy Label rated Class A or better or
ENERGY STAR qualified appliance that is found in at least 90% of guest
rooms, up to a maximum of 1.5 points.
To ensure fairness, properties will only be evaluated based on relevant
questions. For instance, if you do not have TVs in guest rooms, then the
question of whether you have an energy-efficient TV is not relevant. In this
case, if you select Property does not have [appliance] this question will not
be considered when your final score is calculated.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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E2.
Air conditioning units that are EU Energy Label Class A or better, ENERGY
STAR, or Eurovent qualified have been identified by the EU as meeting
stringent energy requirements.
To see available EU Energy Label qualified air conditioning units, please click
here.
point is awarded for having at least 90% of your air conditioning units
rated EU Energy Label A or better, ENERGY STAR, or Eurovent qualified. To
ensure fairness, properties will only be evaluated based on relevant questions.
For instance, if you do not have air conditioning units in guest rooms, then
the question is not relevant. If you select Guest rooms do not have A/C, this
question will not be considered when your final score is calculated.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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E3A.
Do at least 75% of the laundry washers have any of
the following characteristics (on-site or off-site)?
Products that are EU Energy Rated A or better can be identified by the label,
which is usually accompanied by the owners manual.
Products that are ENERGY STAR qualified can be identified by their label
(shown below) which is generally found on the product. The label is also
commonly included on marketing brochures and instructional manuals.
To learn more about ENERGY STAR, please click here.
E3B.
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E4.
A Low-Emissivity (Low-E) coating reflects unwanted heat from the sun away
from the building. This helps avoid overheating during summer.
Krypton and Argon gases are used between panes to act as insulation to
reduce the amount of heat loss in the winter.
The U-Value measures the rate of heat transfer, indicating how well the
window is insulated. Lower U-values provide better insulation than higher.
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E5A.
Water heaters are used to heat water for pools, hot tubs, and spas. This
uses significant amounts of energy, which can be minimized by using smart
features.
Select yes if any of your pools/spas/jacuzzis are heated. By selecting yes,
you will be eligible to earn up to 1 point from the following question.
E5B.
Do all of the water heaters for your pools/jacuzzis/
spas use solar thermal heating equipment?
Water heaters are used to heat water for pools, jacuzzis, and spas. This
uses significant amounts of energy, which can be minimized by using smart
features. Solar thermal water heating systems capture heat from the sun to
warm the water. They typically consist of black pipes on the roof of a building
or adjacent to the pool which heat water as it passes through by focusing and
storing the suns heat.
Select yes if any of your pools/jacuzzis/or spas are heated. By selecting yes,
you will be eligible to earn up to 1 point. To ensure fairness, properties will
only be evaluated based on relevant questions. Therefore, if you select no
to Filter Question 2 (having on-site pools), all pool-related questions will be
removed from the survey and you will not be required to answer them.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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E6.
Insulated pool and jacuzzi covers are used to retain heat when the pool
and/or jacuzzi is not in use. As a result, less energy is needed to return water
to the desired temperature when they are ready for use again.
There are several types of covers, including physical covers (typically made of
foam or insulating materials) and liquid covers which are periodically poured
onto the waters surface.
1 point is awarded for using either a pool or jacuzzi cover. To ensure fairness,
properties will only be evaluated based on relevant questions. Therefore, if
you select Property does not have outdoor pools, this question will not be
considered when your final score is calculated. If you do not have any pools
(either indoor or outdoor), please select no to Filter Question 2 (having onsite pools) and all pool-related questions will be removed from the survey.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
E7A.
Copy of the product specification sheet for pool and jacuzzi covers.
Photograph showing the covers used for pools and hot tubs.
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E7B.
Is your propertys indoor heating setpoint set at
22C or lower?
E8A.
Do your guestrooms have individually controllable
thermostats, so guests can adjust the room
temperature?
E8B.
Is the minimum possible cooling temperature for
the guest thermostats at 22C or higher?
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E8C.
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E9.
Do you have any of the following Heating/
Ventilation Conditioning (HVAC) features which
maximize efficiency?
HVAC systems handle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for a building.
Improving the efficiency of your HVAC system can save significant amounts of
energy and money.
Ways of improving HVAC system efficiency include:
Energy Efficient Boilers or Furnaces provide heating for the building. To qualify,
your boiler or furnace should have an efficiency of >88% (as measured
according to EU Directive 92/42/EEC). To learn more about EU Directive
92/42/EEC, click here.
Energy Efficient Heat Pumps provide heating or cooling for the building.
There are several types of heat pumps, including ground source and air
source heat pumps. To qualify, your heat pump should meet at least one
of the following characteristics:
EU Energy Rating A or better, Ecolabel, ENERGY STAR, or Eurovent
certification. To learn more, click here.
Energy Efficient Chillers provide cool air or water for the building. To qualify,
your chiller should be Eurovent A qualified or equivalent. For more
information, click here.
ENERGY STAR qualified or variable speed ventilating fans allow HVAC fans
to operate at variable speeds which improves energy efficiency. Typically
these fans only operate at full speed when turned on, which leads to
inefficiencies and wasted energy. For more information, please click here.
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E9.
Do you have any of the following Heating/
Ventilation Conditioning (HVAC) features which
maximize efficiency?
(continued)
1 point is awarded for each of the above components found at your facility,
up to a maximum of 3 points. To ensure fairness, properties will only be
evaluated based on relevant questions. In this case, if you select Property does
not have air conditioning, this question will not be considered when your
final score is calculated.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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E10.
Do you have a preventative maintenance plan
which checks, at least quarterly, that building
energy and water equipment (e.g. HVAC, lighting,
plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems, etc.) are
functioning properly?
E11A.
Have you had an energy audit or received an
Energy Performance Certificate in the past 5 years?
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E11B.
Which process did you participate in?
Your local utility provider may offer free or discounted energy audits to
ensure optimal building efficiency.
If Utility or Other selected: Copy of energy audit report, and/or retrocommissioning summary report completed by qualified commissioning
agent.
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E11C.
What level Energy Performance Certificate did you
receive?
E11D.
Have you implemented at least two energy saving
measures as a result of the audit?
E11E.
Please describe both energy saving measures you
have implemented as a result of the audit.
2 points are awarded if you provide a written description of the two energy
savings measures implemented at your property.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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E12.
Do you use automatic lighting controls such as
occupancy/daylighting sensors or timers, which
cover at least 50% of the surface area for each of
the following locations?
Advanced lighting controls automatically turn the lights off and are based
upon room occupancy and daylight levels. This saves energy by turning off
lights when they are not needed.
Types of lighting controls include:
Timers, which are programmed to turn on and off at a certain time of the
day.
Front of house spaces including the lobby, corridors, and other public
spaces.
point is awarded for each location on your property that uses any type of
lighting control (covering at least 50% of the surface area of the location), up
to a maximum of 1 points.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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E13.
Do at least 90% of your guest rooms have
mechanisms (such as occupancy sensors or a
keycard master switch) which automatically do the
following when the room is unoccupied?
Guest rooms which use systems to detect occupancy (e.g. infrared motion
detectors, door sensors) can automatically turn off electricity sources when a
guest leaves the room.
Types of mechanisms:
Open/Close Blinds
point is awarded for each of the above actions performed by guest room
mechanisms, up to a maximum of 2 points.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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E14.
Does your building have any of the following smart
design strategies which reduce energy use for
heating and cooling?
Smart design strategies (also known as passive design features) are building
characteristics that take advantage of the sun and other natural elements to
heat, cool, and ventilate the building without the use of energy. This reduces
the buildings overall energy usage and lowers carbon emissions.
Smart design strategies include:
South facing overhangs which blocks the suns heat from the building during
the summer months (keeping the building cool) while allowing it during
the winter months (naturally warming the building).
South facing tree shading which blocks the sun with leaves and needles
during the summer. During winter, the leaves and needles die off and thin
out allowing the suns heat into the building.
Window films/tinting which reduce the amount of the suns heat from
entering the building. Additional benefits may include reduced glare and
improved weather protection.
Other passive cooling strategies can either reflect the suns heat or move warm
air out of the building. An example of this strategy is stack ventilation,
which draws hot air up and out of the building while bringing in cooler,
fresher air at occupancy level. Please use the text box to describe the
strategy that your building uses.
Other passive heating strategies use the energy of the sun to warm the
building. An example of this is using concrete walls or floors to store the
warmth from the sun during the day and release it at night, warming
the building with minimal HVAC. Please use the text box to describe the
strategy that your building uses.
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E15A.
Do you have any of the following on-site renewable
electricity-generating technologies?
Wind Turbines generate electricity from the wind passing through turbine
blades. For commercial use, they are typically located on the roof of a
property. For more information about wind turbines, please click here.
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E15B.
If yes, what % of electricity do these technologies
contribute to the total annual property use?
1%-5%: 4 points
6%-10%: 5 points
11%-15%: 6 points
16%-20%: 7 points
21%-25%: 8 points
26%-30%: 9 points
31%+: 10 points
E16.
Do you have any of the following on-site heating/
cooling technologies?
On-site clean energy heating and cooling systems have a significantly lower
environmental footprint than traditional heating and cooling systems, which
use furnaces or electricity powered by fossil fuels (oil, gas, or coal).
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Solar Hot Water systems, also known as solar thermal systems, use the heat
from the sun to heat water for the building. The most common type
uses long, dark tubes (called evacuated tubes) which are mounted on the
roof of the building. The sun heats up water which passes through these
tubes creating warm water and reduces the need for electric hot water
heaters. For more information about solar hot water systems, please click
here.
Geothermal systems use the Earth as a means to heat and cool the building.
There are two types of systems:
A geothermal heat pump (also known as ground source heat pumps or
geo-exchange system) uses the ground as a storage medium to store
unwanted heat in the summer and extract that heat in the winter. This
type of system uses underground tubes to pump fluid to and from the
ground.
Direct Exchange (also known as hydrothermal) systems use very deep
wells drilled into hot, dry rock formations to generate steam for
electricity or heating. For more information about geothermal energy,
please click here.
Waste Heat Recovery Units, or Energy Recovery Heat Exchangers recover waste
heat from refrigeration, air conditioning, and air compressor systems. The
heat is then redistributed to other sections of the building which require
heating. For more information about waste heat recovery, please click
here.
Combined heat and power (CHP) systems, also known as a back of house
cogeneration system, is typically used in larger properties. These systems
simultaneously produce electricity and heat for the building, leading to
higher rates of efficiency than conventional systems that separate these
two functions. For more information about CHP, please click here.
4 points are awarded for each type of clean energy heating and cooling
system used at your property.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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WATER Questions
InterContinental , Boston, MA
W1A.
Do you track water on a regular basis (at least
every 3 months)?
Water tracking involves measuring and recording your propertys water use.
Tracking helps identify the main uses of water, opportunities for efficiency
improvements, and records progress over time.
The following information should be measured and documented by the
tracking system used:
1. Amount of water used per month (liters).
2. Time period in which the water was consumed. (e.g., June 1- June 30,
2014).
3. If possible, whether the water being used is for indoor purposes (e.g.
indoor fixtures, kitchen uses) or outdoor purposes (e.g. landscaping).
Select yes if you track your water usage regularly (at least quarterly). By
selecting yes, you will be eligible to earn up to 1 point in the second portion of
this question.
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W1B.
What do you use for a water tracking system?
For more information on measuring the flow of your water fixtures, please
click here.
Utility tracking tools are sometimes offered by your local utility provider
to help you track your water consumption.
Summary of total indoor and outdoor water use (e.g. interior water
fixtures and landscape irrigation) for the entire site spanning a continuous
12 month period. Aggregated data will suffice.
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W2.
Do at least 90% of your guestroom bathroom
fixtures meet the following standards for flow (liters
per minute - LPM) and flush (liters per flush - LPF)
rates?
There are two types of water fixtures, flush and flow, and the efficiency for
each is calculated differently. Flush fixtures, such as toilets and urinals, are
evaluated based upon how much water is used each time they are flushed:
liters per flush (LPF). Flow fixtures, such as faucets and shower heads, are
evaluated based upon how much water is used per each minute of use at
maximum flow rate: liters per minute (LPM). Using water-efficient fixtures (also
known as low-flow fixtures) significantly reduces water consumption.
Toilets: 4.5 LPF (Dual flush toilets and composting toilets also meet this
credit). For more information on low flow toilets, please click here.
Faucets: 6 LPM or less (the use of faucet aerators to lower the amount
of water used is acceptable provided requirements are met). For more
information on low flow faucets, please click here.
2 points are awarded for each qualified fixture that is standard in each guest
room, up to a maximum of 6. To ensure fairness, properties will only be
evaluated based on relevant questions. Therefore, if you select Property does
not have private bathrooms, this question will not be considered when your
final score is calculated.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
35
W3.
Do at least 90% of your back of house and public
restroom fixtures meet the following standards for
flow (liters per minute- LPM) and flush (liters per
flush- LPF) rates?
There are two types of water fixtures, flush and flow, and the efficiency for
each is calculated differently. Flush fixtures, such as toilets and urinals, are
evaluated based upon how much water is used each time they are flushed:
liters per flush (LPF). Flow fixtures, such as faucets and shower heads, are
evaluated based upon how much water is used per each minute of use at
maximum flow rate: liters per minute (LPM). Using water-efficient fixtures
(also known as low-flow fixtures) significantly reduces water consumption.
Toilets: 4.5 LPF (Dual flush toilets and composting toilets also meet this
credit). For more information on low flow toilets, please click here.
Faucets: 6 LPM or less (the use of faucet aerators to lower the amount
of water used is acceptable provided requirements are met). For more
information on low flow faucets, please click here.
1 point is awarded for each fixture that is standard in back of house and
public restrooms, up to a maximum of 2 points.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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W4A.
Do you irrigate any of your outdoor landscaped
areas?
37
W4B.
If so, do you use smart irrigation controls or
methods, such as moisture sensors or weatherbased controls?
Moisture sensor systems measure the moisture content of the soil in multiple
locations to determine optimal watering time.
Historical controls use past weather and water use data for your area to
determine how much water is required for irrigation. This system is not
perfect, but will still lead to significant savings when compared to nonsmart irrigation controls.
Historical controls with a temperature sensor. This system uses historical weather
and water use data to determine initial watering time, and then finetunes it by comparing the historical temperature data and the actual
temperature. If the temperature is higher, watering time is increased. If
the temperature is lower, watering time is decreased.
1 point is awarded if your property uses any of the listed smart irrigation
controls.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
38
W5.
Do you use alternative water sources (reclaimed
water, grey water,
collected/stored rainwater, condensate) for any of
the following applications?
Alternative water sources make use of water from places other than the water
grid, and are used in non-potable applications such as landscaping, flushing
toilets, and fire suppression systems. These sources help conserve water, lower
energy usage from water treatment facilities, and reduce stress on sewage
infrastructure.
2 points are awarded for each instance where alternative water is used in your
facility, up to a maximum of 4 points.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
W6A.
Does your property have a wet or dry cooling
tower as part of the buildings cooling system?
A cooling tower is a part of some HVAC systems (usually found on the roof)
which disposes of unwanted heat during summer months. Cooling towers use
large amounts of energy and water, which makes maintaining and optimizing
their performance particularly important.
Select yes if your property has a cooling tower as part of the building HVAC
system. To ensure fairness, properties will only be evaluated based on relevant
questions. Therefore, if you select Property does not have a cooling tower,
this question will not be considered when your final score is calculated.
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W6B.
Have you taken actions to optimize the energy and/
or water use of your cooling tower operations?
W6C.
Please describe the actions you have taken
(including the use of certified products).
Describe the actions you have taken in order to optimize the energy and water
use of your cooling tower.
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PURCHASING Questions
Fairmont Hotel
P1A.
Do you purchase food and beverages with any of
the following certifications?
Food and beverage certification labels confirm that a product was grown in
a way that minimizes environmental and/or social impacts. Environmentallyfocused certifications typically confirm that food was grown organically,
sustainably, and/or without the use of synthetic herbicides and pesticides.
Farming this way has advantages including improving soil quality, supporting
biodiversity, and minimizing pollution. Socially-focused certifications typically
confirm that food was grown under fair conditions with fair wages for
workers.
Certification labels are usually located on the products packaging. Fresh
produce often has a Product Look-Up (PLU) sticker which is placed directly
on the fruit or vegetable (such as a sticker on an apple). The PLU code for
organic produce always begins with the number 9 (e.g., an organic Fuji apple
is 94129, whereas a non-organic Fuji apple is 4129).
The following labels are recognized for credit:
The EU Organic label Euro-Leaf identifies products that are at least 95%
organic. To learn more, please click here.
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Slow Food is a global, grassroots association that links the pleasure of food
with a commitment to community and the environment. To learn more,
please click here.
Many countries have their own national organic food labels. Please specify
what national organic certified food label your food is certified by.
Select yes if you purchase food or beverages with any of the above labels.
To ensure fairness, properties will only be evaluated based on relevant
questions. In this case, if you select no to Filter Question 1 (having an on-site
kitchen), all food-related questions will be removed from the survey and you
will not be required to answer them.
P1B.
Fruit & Vegetables includes fresh, frozen, and canned produce (e.g. carrots,
peaches)
If 0%-49% of these products are certified: 0 points
If 50%-74% of these products are certified: point
If 75%+ of these products are certified: 1 point
Meat, Fish, Dairy, and Eggs include milk, cheese, and fresh or processed meat
and fish products.
If 0%-49% of these products are certified: 0 points
If 50%-74% of these products are certified:1 point
If 75%+ of these products are certified: 2 points
Other
If 0%-49% of these products are certified: 0 points
If 50%-74% of these products are certified: point
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P2A.
Do you purchase paper products with any of the
following certifications or characteristics?
The EU Organic label, Euro-Leaf, identifies products that are at least 95%
organic. To learn more, please click here.
Nordic Swan is the official sustainability ecolabel for the Nordic countries,
introduced by the Nordic Council of Ministers. To learn more, please click
here.
Other
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P2B.
Toilet/Tissue Paper
Office Paper
Other
If select Toilet/ Tissue Paper or Office paper: 75%-90%: .5 pt, 90%+: 1 point.
If select other: 75%+: points
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
P3.
Organic ingredients & products are grown in a way which protects the soil,
minimizes chemical use, and supports biodiversity.
100% biodegradable products break down after they go down the drain,
becoming benign to waterways and marine animals.
Products containing at least 50% recycled content reduce the amount of waste
sent to landfills, meaning fewer virgin materials are used to make new
products.
The EU Organic label, Euro-Leaf, identifies products that are at least 95%
organic. To learn more, please click here.
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P4A.
The EU Ecolabel helps you identify products and services that have a
reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle, from the
extraction of raw material through to production, use and disposal. For
more information, please click here.
Nordic Swan is a third party label that evaluates products based on their
environmental footprint over the products lifespan. To learn more, please
click here.
Blue Angel is a German certification for products and services that have
environmentally friendly aspects. To learn more, please click here.
Select yes if you purchase products for facility cleaning, laundry, and/or
dishwashing with any of the above certifications.
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P4B.
If so, please estimate what percent of your total
cleaning products have these characteristics.
P5.
Do you use dry cleaning solvent substitutes instead
of perchloroethylene (perc) for 100% of your dry
cleaning (on site or offsite)?
Narrative and product information sheets verifying the solvents used for
dry cleaning.
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P6A.
Urea-Formaldehyde Free means the product does not use ureaformaldehyde, which is often used to bond wood products (such as MDF
fiberboard or plywood), but has been linked to potential health risks.
Locally produced (within 750 kilometers) are entirely sourced from within 750
kilometers of the property. This includes wood harvesting, processing,
manufacturing, and installation.
Nordic Swan is the official sustainability ecolabel for the Nordic countries,
introduced by the Nordic Council of Ministers. To learn more, please click
here.
Select yes if you purchase furniture with any of the above characteristics. By
selecting yes, you will be eligible to earn up to 4 points in the second portion
of this question.
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P6B.
If so, please estimate what percent of your total
furniture has at least one of these characteristics.
10-24%: 1 point
25%-49%: 2 points
50%-74%: 3 points
75%+: 4 points
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P7A.
Urea-Formaldehyde Free means the product does not use urea- formaldehyde,
which is often used to bond wood products (such as MDF fiberboard or
plywood), but has been linked to potential health risks.
Locally produced (within 750 kilometers) are entirely sourced from within 750
kilometers of the property. This includes wood harvesting, processing,
manufacturing, and installation.
Select yes if your flooring has any of these characteristics. By selecting yes, you
will be eligible to earn up to 2 points in the second portion of this question.
P7B.
If so, please estimate what percent of your total
flooring/carpeting has at least one of these
characteristics.
50-74%: 1 point
75%+: 2 points
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P8.
Do at least 90% of your guestroom bathrooms
have refillable dispensers for liquid toiletries (soap,
shampoo, conditioner)?
Refillable dispensers create less waste than disposable amenities, as they can
be refilled when necessary rather than being replaced for every guest visit.
2 points are awarded if refillable dispensers for soap, shampoo, and
conditioner are used in at least 90% of guest rooms.
To ensure fairness, properties will only be evaluated based on relevant
questions. In this case, if you select I do not have guest bathrooms this
question will not be considered when your final score is calculated.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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WASTE Questions
Ws1A.
A waste tracking tool is used to measure the waste and track trends over
time, and to identify areas for improvement. Once areas of inefficiency have
been identified, it is then possible to begin to reduce waste and lower costs
associated with waste management.
The following information should be tracked:
1. The amount of waste generated (measured in volume (m3) or weight
(kg.)).
2. Time period over which the waste was generated (e.g., June 1- June 30,
2014).
3. If possible, the sources of waste in the building, and the amount of waste
generated by each source (e.g., food waste, recyclables).
Select yes if you use a tracking tool which tracks at least the above numbers
(1) and (2). By selecting yes, you will be eligible to earn up to 1 point in the
second portion of this question.
Ws1B.
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Ws2.
Have you conducted a waste audit?
Ws3A.
Is at least 25% of your total waste (measured in
volume or weight) diverted away from landfills
and waste incinerators (ie. recycled, reused, or
composted)?
Waste diversion is the amount of waste that is recycled or reused rather than
being sent to a landfill or incinerated. Landfills can pose environmental risks
such as contributing to climate change, air pollution, and adverse effects to
human health.
To determine your diversion rate, you need to track what quantity of waste
is sent to recycling, landfill, composted, or repurposed. Be sure to track your
diversion rate using consistent metrics (e.g., volume using cubic meters (m3),
weight using kilograms (kg.)).
Use the following calculation to determine your waste diversion rate:
Select yes if you divert at least 25% of waste from landfills or incinerators. By
selecting yes, you will be eligible to earn up to 4 points in the second portion
of this question.
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Ws3B.
90%+: 4 points
Ws4.
Narrative describing how waste is diverted from the landfill. Copy of waste
diversion report showing the percentage of waste diverted away from
the landfill or incinerators. The report must cover a continuous 12-month
period.
Used Mattresses
Furniture
Flooring
Other
point is awarded for each item selected which is recycled at least 90% of the
time, up to a maximum of 2 points.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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Ws5.
Do you have a system that collects and safely
disposes of or recycles the following hazardous
materials?
Items that contain hazardous chemicals and heavy metals should not be
sent to landfills. Instead, they should be processed by appropriate recycling
facilities.
An effective hazardous material recycling policy should:
Paints
Coatings
Printer Cartridges
Electronics
Batteries
Fluorescent Lightbulbs
Other
To learn more about how to properly dispose of light bulbs, please click here.
point is awarded for each hazardous waste item which is included in the
plan and recycled, up to a maximum of 2 points.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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Ws6.
Reusable food items are durable (e.g. ceramic) plates, cutlery, and other items
that can be washed and reused for serving food. Disposable food service
items made of plastics and polystyrene foam are often non-recyclable or are
recycled at low rates, leading them to end up in landfills or be incinerated. This
question relates to in-property dining, where guests can eat one or more meals
a day on the premises.
When estimating this figure, exclude large functions such as conferences or
other events not directly related to the guests stay at the hotel.
For more information on effective materials reuse, please click here.
2 points are awarded if at least 90% of food items are served with reusable
food service items.
To ensure fairness, properties will only be evaluated based on relevant
questions. In this case, if you select Property does not have in-house dining,
this question will not be considered when your final score is calculated. If you
do not have any food service at all, select no to Filter Question 1 (having an
on-site kitchen), and all kitchen-related questions will be removed from the
survey.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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Ws7A.
Donating and re-using materials extends their life and reduces the
production of new goods. Many organizations such as homeless shelters
and the Salvation Army are willing to take leftover supplies and give
them to disadvantaged people. In addition, there are reprocessing
organizations such as Clean the World which take leftover soap slivers,
reprocess them, and then donate them to the those in need. Finally, it is
possible in some states to donate excess food to food banks or charities.
Regulations on donations vary, so check with your local authorities to
understand which items can be donated.
Ws7B.
Please provide a written narrative of the organizations that you work with.
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Ws8A.
Composting On-site
Composting Off-site
Composting turns organic matter such as food and yard waste into
nutrient-rich fertilizer. This can be done on-site or taken off-site for
processing by a compost hauler. Composting reduces the amount
of waste sent to landfills, and instead re-purposes it to be used to
improve soil and garden quality.
To compost, organic matter such as food waste and yard waste is
gathered and placed inside a compost bin. Two types of waste input
are necessary for successful composting: green stuff (e.g., fruit,
vegetables, grass clippings), which is high in nitrogen and which
activates the heat for the process, and brown stuff (e.g., dead plants,
old flowers), which is high in carbon and keeps everything firm.
Other variables such as air, temperature, water, and starter compost
(this helps to start the compost cycle more quickly) also need to be
controlled.
For more information on composting, please click here.
Select yes if you have a system to compost any types of organic waste. By
selecting yes, you will be eligible to earn up to 3 points in the second portion
of this question.
Ws8B.
If so, which of the following materials do you
process?
1 point is awarded for each of the above materials which are composted, up to
a maximum of 3 points.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
Copy of the waste hauling contract verifying that composting services are
being provided.
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SITE Questions
Le Meridien, Cambridge, MA
S1A.
Do you use non-toxic methods to control pests,
minimizing the use of chemicals?
Pest management is the process of dealing with unwanted rodents and insects
such as mice, termites, and ants. Non-toxic pest management reduces pest
numbers to manageable levels while minimizing the use of potentially harmful
chemicals.
Select yes if you have an integrated pest management plan for non-toxic pest
control with less reliance on chemical treatment. By selecting yes, you will be
eligible to earn up to 1 point in the second portion of this question.
S1B.
If so, do you use any of the following approaches
instead of using traditional chemicals?
Gels and/or barriers for pests should be used in small cracks and crevices.
Other
Copy of the integrated pest management plan including details about the
non-toxic and/or chemical avoidance measures used to manage pests.
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S2A.
Do you minimize the use of herbicides, pesticides,
and chemicals when maintaining your landscaping?
S2B.
If so, please briefly describe your plan.
S3.
Is at least 75% of the landscaping on your site
landscaped with plants native to your region?
Native landscaping involves using plants that occur naturally in the propertys
local environment. Because native vegetation can be different for every site,
planting should be considered on a site-by-site basis. When determining what
% of your vegetation is native, you should include all areas of vegetation
including grass, flowers, shrubbery, and trees.
1 point is awarded if 75% of the landscaping on your site (by area) has been
landscaped with plants native to your region.
To ensure fairness, properties will only be evaluated based on relevant
questions. In this case, if you select no to Filter Question 3 (having
landscaping), all landscaping-related questions will be removed from the
survey.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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S4A.
Do you have any of the following roof types, which
cover at least 10% of your total roof area?
Traditional roofing materials are dark and absorb the suns energy rather than
reflecting it like undeveloped, vegetated land normally would.
This absorption of heat leads to the urban heat island effect which causes
cities to be generally warmer than surrounding areas. The higher temperature
increases summertime peak energy demand, air conditioning costs, water and
air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. For more information, please
click here.
Buildings can reduce the heat island effect in two ways:
A cool roof uses a highly reflective surface (usually white) which reflects
much of the suns energy, reducing the temperature of the building, and
the heat island effect.
Select cool roof if your building uses cool roofing material for at least 10% of
your roof area. By selecting yes, you will be eligible to earn up to 2 points in
the second portion of this question.
Select green roof if your building uses green roofing material for at least 10%
of your roof area. By selecting yes, you will be eligible to earn up to 4 points
in the second portion of this question.
If you use both, you can select both options.
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S4B.
What percentage of your total roof is covered with
cool roofing?
10%-24%: point
25-49%: 1 point
50%-74% : 1 points
75%+: 2 points
S4C.
What percentage of your total roof is covered with
green roofing?
10%-24%: 1point
25-49%: 2 point
50%-74% : 3 points
75%+: 4 points
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S5.
Does your site use any of the following methods to
reduce stormwater runoff?
Stormwater management aims to reduce flooding that can occur during heavy
rainstorms when sewer systems can become overwhelmed.
This flooding can lead to land erosion and water pollution. Alternative
stormwater management strategies typically involve redirecting water away
from sewers, at least temporarily, and sometimes storing it for later use.
There are many different types of stormwater management systems. Some of
the most common strategies are:
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IE1A.
Do you ask for feedback from guests on your green
practices?
IE1B.
If so, how do you ask for feedback?
In-room survey
63
IE2A.
Do you educate your guests on environmental
issues related to your geographic area (e.g. local
habitats, conservation)?
Resource conservation
Land preservation
IE2B.
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IE3A.
Have you received third party certification from
one of the following certification entities for your
propertys building or operations?
65
IE3A.
Have you received third party certification from
one of the following certification entities for your
propertys building or operations?
(continued)
3 points are awarded if any of the above certifications have been achieved for
your property. If applicable, you may select multiple options, but no additional
points will be awarded. Please note that the level is asked only for research
purposes, and does not award additional points.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
Copy of the third party certification (e.g. certificate or letter from certifying
body) including level of certification or rating.
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IE4A.
Do you measure and track the carbon emissions
associated with operating this facility?
Copy of the greenhouse gas inventory and/or summary report stating the
total emissions for each greenhouse gas scope and source of emissions.
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IE4B.
If so, do you, or your central corporate organization,
track or report these emissions with any of the
following entities?
WWF Climate Savers is a program by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) which
aims to cut carbon emissions and spur economic growth. For more
information, please click here.
Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI) was developed by the World Travel
& Tourism Council and is meant to help standardize the way the hotel
sector reports carbon emissions. For more information, please click here.
The Viabono Carbon Footprint helps property owners to track their carbon
footprint and easily determine the average emission rate per night and
guest. For more information, please click here.
Please write in the Other carbon reporting or tracking tool that you use.
1 point is awarded if your property reports its carbon footprint to any of the
above entities.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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IE5.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are compounds that are emitted as gases
from many products such as paints, building materials, adhesives, and
office equipment.
Qualifying products are generally labeled as Low-VOC, No-VOC, or VOCFree. The following standards have been adapted from standards established
by the European Commission and U.S. EPA California Air Resources Board.
VOC Levels must be equal to or lower than the following:
Paints:
Flat: < 75 g/L
Non-flat: < 150 g/L
Adhesives:
Construction adhesive: <15 g/L
Contact adhesive: <55 g/L
Flexible vinyl adhesive: <70 g/L
General purpose: <10 g/L
Sealants:
Concrete: <100 g/L
Driveway: <50 g/L
Waterproofing: <250 g/L
List of approved paints, primers, adhesives and sealants with the VOC
content in grams/liter or expressed as a % of total weight for each
product.
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IE6.
Do you offer guests access to charging stations
for electric vehicles, either on-site or within 2
kilometers of the property?
Electric vehicle charging stations are for guests and employees with electric
cars to charge their car while at the hotel.
Several styles of charging stations exist: Level 1 (120 volt AC), Level 2 (240 volt
AC), and Level 3 (500 volt DC). For the purpose of this question, TripAdvisor
GreenLeaders awards credit for either Level 2 or Level 3 charging stations.
1 point is awarded if any type of electric charging station is available for guest
use on your property or located within 2 kilometers of your property.
If audited, you may be asked to provide:
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IE7.
Do you encourage the use of alternative
transportation by providing any of the following
services, or helping guests find them locally?
Bicycle rental
Other
IE8A.
Do you participate in any initiatives related to
local conservation or biodiversity protection?
(e.g. restoration of woodlands, fundraising for
environmental efforts, etc.)
IE8B.
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