Major corporations, including Marriott and Hilton, are studying options as they make decisions on far-reaching environmental initiatives intended to appeal
to consumers with a conscience. And, at the same time, save on water, energy and waste, without downgrading quality. One problem is that there isn't a standard for what makes a hotel green.
A handful of hotels have gotten certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit group in Washington that grades commercial buildings on areas such as water efficiency and energy use. Green Seal, another nonprofit, has an extensive certification program for hotels and motels that takes up to three months and costs from $1,950 to $3,000 annually, depending on the size of the hotel.
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