Talking about sustainability with Hotel Felix, Chicago first LEED certified hotel

To celebrate Earth Day, we had an interview with Marianne Encarnado, Area director of sales and marketing of Hotel Felix, Chicago’s first Silver LEED-certified Hotel.

As Chicago’s first hotel awarded Silver LEED certification, Hotel Felix opened in April 2009 after an extensive redevelopment of a 1926 building using organic materials and renewable resources.

What are the sustainability actions that your hotel does that you are most proud of?

We are proud of every action we have implemented in our hotel’s practices to reduce our carbon footprint.  We’re most proud of being Chicago’s first Silver LEED certified hotel.

All of our technology is run with an eco-friendly mindset. For example, our management systems run on enhanced energy. We use motion sensors in our heating, ventilation and air conditioning in all guest rooms.

We have also implemented the use of eco-friendly cleaning supplies in our hotel. The products we use to clean the rooms and linen are bleach-free.

 

What is the most impactful action currently being conducted?

We have taken many efforts to make a positive impact, such as our ability to reduce water usage throughout our hotel. We have water waste reduction valves in all of our guest bathrooms, and the linen reuse program saves about 45,000 gallons of water and 325 gallons of detergent per year.

 

What are the costs and benefits of running sustainability actions in your hotel? Do customers care?

When people choose what sort of clothing to buy or what brand of eggs to buy at the store, they continue to look at brand responsibility as a factor in what they choose to purchase. According to an article in Forbes, millennials are 66% more likely to spend more money on a product if it comes from a sustainable brand. This message should be no different in the hospitality industry: many of our guests care and appreciate what we are doing and how we continue to implement a more eco-friendly travel experience.

Our tagline is “Happy. Naturally.” and the word “Felix” means “happy” in Latin. Since opening our doors in 2009, we’ve been living up to that name through environmentally sustainable practices, friendly service, and a playful spirit that promises to bring a smile to your face.

How do you communicate about your effort on environmental sustainability?

We continue to share environmentally-friendly news and activities going on both at our hotel as well as in our community on our social media pages and our blog.  We emphasize our sustainable efforts in our communications, including on our website. We also encourage our guests to participate in our Earth Month giveaway every April where we reward those who show their efforts on how they live green.

To learn more about the latest happenings at Hotel Felix, please visit their blog, Happy Naturally (www.happynaturally.com)

Based on your long career in the hotel industry, what is the one action that all hotels should implement starting tomorrow?

Improve waste management by applying the 3 “Rs.”   Encourage everyone to REDUCE waste by implementing work SOPs such as printing on both sides of the paper, using electronic mail vs. paper mail, avoiding disposable products (plates, cups, forks, knives) that contribute to a large amount of waste that goes to the landfills, etc.  Instead of discarding items like electronic equipment, wood, books jars, etc., REUSE by donating.  Remember, one’s trash might be another’s treasure.  RECYCLE by identifying materials that can be transformed and shaped into new products such as paper, plastics, glass, and the like.  Energy conservation should be a collective and conscious effort by all team members.  Each person should do his/her part, however big or small, in helping reduce the carbon footprint in our rapidly depleting environment.

 

How can the hotel industry become greener?

Implementing practices like reducing water use, recycling programs and sustainable artwork are just a few ways you can start having more of a positive impact on the environment.

 

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