Going Green Environmental Hero Award
7/5/2007
Sunset Hill Named an “Environmental Hero”
Sunset Hill House, Sugar Hill NH, was recently named one of NH's "environmental heros" by Heart of NH Magazine. This award, new in 2007, recognizes those companies in the State that have demonstrated leadership in their commitment to the environment. Winners are selected from a pool of nominees that come from Heart of New Hampshire Readers, HeartofNH.com readers, environmental advocates and activists and members of the Heart of NH team. A panel of Environmental Leaders considers this list and chooses the winners. The panelists seek out companies that have use the power of their corporate recognition to effect environmental change, and take specific and measurable steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
Sunset Hill House has long been proactive in the green lodging initiative. As much as 8 years ago the inn began an energy audit by partnering with PSNH, which led to a switch to high efficiency lighting in most public and administrative areas, reducing energy consumption. Shortly thereafter it adopted the "green planet" voluntary linen and towel reuse program for guests, which reduced linen use more than 50%. Two years ago the innkeepers and staff committed to "clean green" by using green seal certified products in the vast majority of room cleaning operations, which are gentler on guests, staff, and appliances, while meeting the inn's high sanitization standards. In the past year it has reduced laundry wastewater and chemical use by switching the majority of its laundry from outsourced commercial chemical laundry to in house high efficiency machines and biodegradable products, saving energy, water, and chemical use. Replacement of more than half the inn's commercial refrigerators and freezers with new "energy star" rated models, was also a significant change. The equipment not replaced was completely overhauled to improve its performance. Cardboard recycling began this month, and the inn actively seeks opportunities for other cost effective recycling options.
Sunset Hill House is also a charter member and environmental partner with the NH Lodging and Restaurant Association's Sustainable Lodging program. The New Hampshire Sustainable Lodging & Restaurant Program (NHSLRP) encourages lodging and restaurant facilities throughout the state to continually evaluate operations for more environmentally sustainable means of pampering our guests while protecting the place that both we and our guests love. It establishes criteria for membership levels, and documents properties achievements in the sustainable lodging and dining realm.
Going green was an easy decision, says innkeeper Nancy Henderson. It is better for the planet, better for the staff, better for the facility, and saves us money, not just in energy saved but in the cost of product, which can be less expensive than standard items.
GOING GREEN ENVIRONMENTAL HERO AWARD -
The Going Green Environmental Hero Award from the Heart of New Hampshire magazine recognizes businesses, organizations and individuals for service to the planet above and beyond the call. These individuals have helped to set a course toward a more sustainable future and provide an outstanding example for others.
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