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Hotel Carlton
Hotel Carlton, a distinctive Joie de Vivre hotel, is a certified Green Business due to its initiative and implementation of several important green practices and policies over the past year. Located in the urban heart of San Francisco, just a couple blocks away from Union Square, Hotel Carlton is the first solar powered hotel in San Francisco. Additionally Hotel Carlton practices energy saving and sustainable purchasing policies to further their efforts to making a smaller carbon footprint on our valuable environment. Hotel Carlton also offsets all Carbon that is used in operations, making the establishment Carbon Neutral.
During a large-scale renovation in 2004, Hotel Carlton implemented several site additions to create a more sustainable property including high-efficiency water closets, sink aerators and low flow shower heads. In 2008, the installation of the solar panels at Hotel Carlton was one of many steps to enhance the building's energy efficiency and increase cost savings at the property. In addition, the hotel installed large format amenity dispensers, filtered water machines with in-room reusable glass pitchers and reinforced its guest recycling program with both in room and public recycling bins to reduce waste. Hotel Carlton has also introduced several green meeting options for its group clients allowing for turnkey, zero waste meetings at the hotel. Communication and education materials are also in place throughout the hotel including linen/terry reuse cards, in-room recycling cards, lobby solar energy production monitor, and energy/water savings quick fact sheets.
Hotel Carlton maintains a sustainable purchasing policy (SPP), including sustainable waste management for on going consumables, durable goods, and facility alterations and additions. With emphasis on "reduce, reuse, recycle," for hotel staff and guests alike, Hotel Carlton minimizes disposable purchases and highlights recyclable and reusable goods. Additional practices such as environmentally friendly cleaning supplies, equipment and practices, and reduced volatile organic compound paints, adhesives, and sealants help the Hotel Carlton make a difference in being an above-and-beyond green business.
The staff at Hotel Carlton is trained to maintain and execute environmentally conscious and friendly practices and maintenance. The California State Best Management Practices Handbook serves as a guide for the Hotel Carlton's building maintenance, and the staff frequently receives updates on how to maintain a sustainable and responsible hotel. From large projects such as environmentally friendly and efficient window washing to small undertakings such as replacing old light bulbs with energy efficient low wattage/low-mercury bulbs and litter control, the staff at Hotel Carlton are integral in maintaining a clean, sustainable, and successful business.
Hotel Carlton has been the recipient of several awards recognizing its efforts in maintaining a green certified business and in encouraging and supporting others in doing so as well. Hotel Carlton has received the Energy Star Award from the Commercial and Industrial Branch, Energy Star, and the Green Business Award - Small Operator, from the City of San Francisco. Hotel Carlton will also be a member of the Mayor's Solar Founders Circle in 2009 and is in the process of LEED-EB Gold Certification.
The green efforts of Hotel Carlton's team are more than enforced company policies. To the team at Hotel Carlton, sustainability is a thoughtful effort of every individual to do what they can to leave Earth in a better place than it is currently. There are major efforts taking place around the world and there are small efforts taking place in homes. All of them count. The team at Hotel Carlton implements small practices and good habits, cultivating them into a passion and wide-spread action. We want to share the importance of considering the Earth with our family, friends, guests, and co-workers. One day we will pass on the Earth to the next generation, and we want to give them the gift of a healthy and beautiful place to live.