Green Lodging & Key Card Progress

by Delia Montgomery January 6, 2009, 11:16 pm 116 Views 4 Comments

True confession here. When I first read about eco tourism, it was frankly, – a bunch of bull. Travel agents thought that a green hotel meant that it was located around trees! We’ve come a long way, friends.

My optimism for truly environmental lodging shifted when I read about BIO-hotels. Their admirable slogan is taste the natural life. This is an association of independent hotels that base their offerings around natural products. Choose between a wide selection of lodges in many different regions, primarily Austria, Germany and Italy.

The group originated in 2001 with standards guided by organic organizations. They developed their mission to maintain organic farmer and handler regulations into the hotel and catering industry. Thus, constant inspectors and quality control were integrated into their business plan. Ecological criterions were followed in the building and furnishing process of each hotel as well.

Good ‘ole USA lags far behind, but I’m happy to report progress. An interesting forum (or blog) is owned and operated by Kit Cassingham. She’s been dedicated to the hospitality industry for more than 30 years. Her site, ECOnomically Sound is the culmination of her environmental and lodging passions. Therein is discussion about a rather newly available product, biodegradable hotel key cards.

Thankfully, security isn’t an issue with a key card as a door key. You can find green key cards made from recyclable paperboard, wood, corn plastic (PLA), as well as recycled plastic.

RESOURCES FOR FASHIONABLE KEY CARDS:

Sustainable Cards makes a wood key card. They claim it is kinder to earth to compost and recycle wood. Good point!

USFI is a supplier of Green Earth Key Cards, the first-ever 100% biodegradable key made of an all-new bioPVC that’s reusable. They claim it can completely decompose in a landfill or compost within 18 months.

NatureWorks® supplies formulations for corn-based key cards, such as CornCard USA™ supplied by Arthur Blank & Co.

Written by Delia Montgomery

I am Delia, d/b/a Chic Eco on www.ChicEco.com, and established myself as an eco fashion guru by learning "who makes what in the world of environmental fashion and design."

Enjoy reading some of my freelance writing about environmental design, fashion and art -- from both consumer and supplier perspectives. You may notice I focus most on individual eco designers, movers and shakers.

From sustainable fashion apparel to paint and flooring, discoveries are a rush. I get my kicks this way. I also offer sales representation of earth-friendly designed products for wholesale buyers. Retailers may take advantage of my services with factory-direct pricing. Spend less time sourcing and prevent green-washed purchases!

My other forte is connecting suppliers with business-to-business tools. Aspects of my business vary with consulting services while I'm proud to be the aide that embraces unique and innovative gigs.

I'm originally a Kentucky Blue Grass gal who relocated to Maui early 2006 and the tropical Puna District of Big Island, Hawaii late 2007. Walk the talk is my motto here.

Early 2009 I constructed a yurt home office in a semi-urban setting on a tiny lot. My water comes from the sky, contained in a catchment that's not likely to dry in this rain forest. The electric is designed for solar conversion. I grow about 30% of my food organically, compost, and recycle to the hilt. Permaculture with a full eco system is my gardening style.

In fact, gardening is my ultimate joy. I seek gigs like design, weeding and planting between other jobs. My love is Hawai'i which has more climate zones than any state. There are frequent earthquakes here, typically under a 3.0 magnitude, and I happen to dig the vibrations. It's a wonderful simple life in paradise. As I grow older and wiser, I become more and more grateful.