First off, review 10 Things To Do At Work for general recommendations on how to make your business more sustainable. Then review ways to improve both your energy efficiency and water efficiency. If you don't already have a business recycling program in place, start now. Finally, here are some other specific environmentally friendly options for lodging properties and hotels looking to make their business more eco-friendly.

One way to differentiate yourself from other lodging properties and hotels in the area is to demonstrate your commitment to energy efficiency and become an ENERGY STAR Partner. This program provides you with the necessary education, assistance and technical resources to lower utility bills, offer greater comfort, and enhanced durability, and show your employees and customers that you are committed to a more sustainable environment.

• Become an ENERGY STAR Partner

Another way to show your commitment sustainable business practices to employees and customers is to become a green hotel with the help of a third party organization.

One option is to join the Green Hotels Association, which will also help you save money. Upon joining you'll receive a packet of recommendations for what your lodging property can do to reduce its impact and utility bills so your customers will take notice of your efforts. They have lots of information about ways to implement recycling programs, what products are more environemtally friendly, ways to reduce energy use, how to hold "green meetings" and a lot more.

You can also become a certified green hotel through the Green Seal Lodging Program, which also certifies other businesses and products. There are three levels of certification - Bronze, Silver and Gold and help your lodging property focus on:

• Waste minimization, reuse & recycling
• Energy efficiency, conservation & management
• Management of fresh water resources
• Waste water management
• Hazardous substances
• Environmentally sensitive purchasing