http://economicallysound.com/ 2007-06-16T11:55:30-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/green_energy_options_in_caribbean_hospitality_venues.html Alternative energy sources are abundant, especially in places like the Caribbean. Solar energy is probably the most cost effective, but wind energy is quite viable too. Even with tidal and geothermal energy as possibilities, alternate energy needs to be economically sound. Energy conservation is part of any energy plan as well. Development Ideas Kit Cassingham 2007-06-16T11:55:30-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/to_line_or_not_to_line.html Garbage bags are an environmental nightmare. What can you do to minimize your contribution to this horror? Recycling is one great way. Contact your local recycling centers to see what kind of recycling activities you can do. Use durable wastebaskets without liners. Subscribe to the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle approach to your operation to cut down on garbage generation. When you have to use trash or garbage bags, use a recyclable plastic. Daily Operations Kit Cassingham 2007-05-15T14:48:00-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/fragrance_free_hospitality.html Masking an odor with a fragrance doesn't fix the problem, it makes it worse, from a health perspective. Many of the fragrances strive to mimic natural fragrance oils, but they miss the mark. The problem is there are so many sources of fragrance -- fragrance lamps, men's and women's fragrances, and cheap fragrance fillers in cleaning materials -- that people with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) are suffering everywhere they go. People without a history of allergies, asthma or MCS are starting to experience problems. This problem is contributing the sick building syndrome that was recognized years ago. Daily Operations Kit Cassingham 2007-05-09T16:19:43-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/a_secret_energy_consumption_source.html In most hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts, energy conservation is approached through light bulbs and the HVAC system. One energy conservation tip I've been overlooking is managing vending machines and their energy consumption. Resource Conservation Kit Cassingham 2007-04-27T06:08:25-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/technology_and_green_hospitality.html Technology has been used in hospitality venues for years. There is new technology that can make hospitality venues more efficient and provide a better guest experience, and contribute to the greening of the hospitality industry. From information technology to communications technology to RFID technology, it's there for improving business. And what a great way to reduce environmental issues and waste around the property! Development Ideas Kit Cassingham 2007-04-15T14:45:57-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/wind_turbines_an_eyesore.html Wind power is yet one more way you can manage your growing energy bills, and improve the quality of your energy supply. There are advantages and disadvantages of wind energy, but if you live in a windy location you have one relatively steady supply of harnessed power. Wind turbines are a sight you aren't as familiar with as a distribution grid, but they ultimately have a smaller impact on visual pollution -- making them less of an eyesore -- than the web of power poles and lines. Resource Conservation Kit Cassingham 2007-03-30T10:57:38-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/hiring_us.html Sage Blossom Consulting specializes in the greening of the hospitality industry. We can help you attain the level of "environmental correctness" you want for your hospitality venue. Sustainable Hospitality Is Our Business. About Us! Kit Cassingham 2007-03-24T18:27:58-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/scandic_hotels_natural_step_to_creating_green_hotels.html cradle-to-cradle usage. The Natural Step gives guidelines to help with that management and approach. Scandic Hotels adopted that program in 1994 and is still one of the leading green hotels in the world. And a profitable hotel too. It's time to learn from their actions and move toward being an environmentally friendly hotel with an improved bottom line.]]> Development Ideas Kit Cassingham 2007-03-08T12:10:00-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/stainsolver_for_your_cleaning_needs.html and is safe for your employees, your guests and the environment. Saving money and storage space is great too.]]> Daily Operations Kit Cassingham 2007-03-08T11:56:08-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/carbon_dioxide_and_carbon_offsets.html Carbon dioxide is a major component of the greenhouse effect and contributor to global warming. The effects of carbon dioxide are subtle and highly disputed among scientists, but they are impacting the environment in a variety of ways. Carbon offsetting, or Green Tags, is one way to become carbon neutral. Supporting "green" energy sources, the alternative power sources like solar, wind, or small hydro installations through Green Tag -- or Carbon Offsetting -- programs will help balance the effects of carbon emissions. Daily Operations Kit Cassingham 2007-02-26T18:59:01-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/environmental_issues_ignored.html Wasteful business practices not only harm the company, but often can also harm the environment. Water conservation, environmentally friendly cleaning products, recycling, energy conservation -- they are all actions that can save money and the environment. These actions help define your public relations, and anyone can use good PR over bad PR. Greening of the hospitality industry is a growing movement, hotels and restaurants that adopt environmental actions are ahead of the game in both attracting and retaining guests, and saving money as well as the environment. Daily Operations Kit Cassingham 2007-02-08T07:41:05-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/designers_in_charge_of_environmental_action.html Managers and owners of environmentally friendly hotels must step up to their responsibilities of having green operations, if they are going to call themselves "green" or environmentally friendly. Letting contractors of any type dictate what environmental issues to cater to or ignore is bound to create bad press. Development Ideas Kit Cassingham 2007-01-26T18:25:44-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/the_top_10_environmental_issues_facing_the_hospitality_industry_in_2007.html Environmental issues plague the hospitality industry. To start reducing the problem, water conservation, recycling and energy conservation are good programs to adopt and act on. Reducing the use of harmful chemicals and the euse of off-gassing furnishings and finishes would be other good steps to take. There is lots that can be done, so start now with even one green action, and start the year off right. Reviews & Links Kit Cassingham 2007-01-03T09:29:45-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/natural_pest_control.html Natural pest control techniques are better for the humans who deal with the techniques than those made from poisonous chemicals, while at the same time being effective in eliminating pests. Natural pest controls don't pollute air and water, as chemical ones do. ECO-Chat Kit Cassingham 2006-09-10T10:43:24-07:00 http://economicallysound.com/water_consumption.html Storm water management and waste water management are two ways of controlling water consumption. Improving water quality so water can be reused without harming the environment is important too. The hospitality industry can lead the way in proactively decreasing water consumption and improving the water situation world wide. Finding and implementing water technology will go a long way in improving the water shortage situation. Resource Conservation Kit Cassingham 2006-09-06T17:34:56-07:00