Historic Hotel del Coronado achieves Green Seal Silver for environmental hotel operations

by Brianna Crandall — July 25, 2016 — The Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, California, has achieved one of the most stringent certifications available for environmental hotel operations: the Silver level of the Green Seal Standard for Hotels and Lodging Properties (GS-33), which identifies the reduced life-cycle impacts of hotel operations. By submitting to a thorough review and on-site audit by the nonprofit third-party certifier Green Seal, the Hotel del Coronado helps protect human and environmental health by reducing waste, conserving water and energy, and by instituting green management policies that include environmental purchasing and hazardous substance handling.

Hotel del Coronado

The historic San Diego hotel rose from Bronze to Silver level for its increased efforts to protect human health and the environment.

Specifically, the Hotel del Coronado, located along the San Diego oceanfront, uses nontoxic, biodegradable housekeeping products; nontoxic paints with minimal VOCs; energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and fixtures; and water-efficient landscaping. The hotel has a recycling and composting program and minimizes the use of disposable items. Additionally, an internal Sustainability Steering Committee meets regularly to evaluate current programs and discuss recommendations.

Established in 1888, the historic hotel proves that making changes that positively affect personal and environmental health are not only feasible for any hotel but are also smart business decisions. Becoming Green Seal-certified appeals to the growing interest in staying and doing business at a green hotel and results in cost reductions for the property. For example, the hotel expects to save over 640,000 kilowatts of power annually from retrofitting every guestroom with energy-efficient compact florescent lights.

Nick OrRico, director of Rooms, commented:

At the Hotel del Coronado, we are committed to being socially responsible and taking care of one of our greatest resources — the environment in which we live and work. As a 128-year-old property, we are aware of our impact on the environment and the ongoing need to be good stewards of the land. While many of our clients and guests are seeking to do business with climate-conscious companies, we believe being “green” is just the right thing to do. That is why it was so important we took the extra step to go from Bronze to Silver certified.

Gary Petersen, director of the Green Seal West Coast office, pointed out:

The large amounts of waste generated by hotels is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. By achieving Green Seal certification, the Hotel del Coronado has shown that the lodging industry can take action to reduce landfill contributions tremendously while also protecting human health.

For example, the hotel’s unused soap and bottled personal care amenity products that would usually end up as waste are diverted via a partnership with Lily of the Valley, a nonprofit organization that recycles and distributes these items to orphaned children in need. We are proud to work with the Hotel del Coronado, who demonstrate leadership by actively preserving the health of our environment and society.

The full list of criteria and details for the Green Seal Standard for Hotels and Lodging Properties (GS-33) certification for environmental hotel operations can be downloaded from the organization’s Web site.