USA TODAY's Green Tech series explores how green-tech innovations are changing everything from vacations to war-making.
(Photo: Todd Plitt, USA TODAY)
When you travel these days, you're doing so in a more environmentally friendly fashion than you did a decade ago – and you probably can't even tell.
Airlines are flying planes that have more fuel-efficient engines and are lighter in weight to save on costly jet fuel. Architects are designing hotels to be more efficient in their use of energy and water, and to reduce waste. Rental car agencies are adding more hybrid and electric cars to their fleets.
Some steps have been forced on the industry by the threat of government action, sheer economics or customer demands. But some companies say it's just good business.
Many associations, for instance, refuse to meet in hotels that don't meet environmentally friendly standards.
"We actually have customers who are asking, 'What's the carbon footprint of our meeting?'" says Paul Snyder, vice president of corporate responsibility for IHG, parent company of InterContinental Hotels, Holiday Inn and others.
In a TripAdvisor survey of 700 U.S. travelers last year, 57% said they often make eco-friendly travel decisions.
But Adam Weissenberg, vice chairman and leader of Deloitte's U.S. Travel, Hospitality and Leisure practice, says price still drives most travel decisions.
"There's not a lot of desire yet for people to pay extra for this in general," he says. "I think there's more of a, 'This is the right thing to do.'"
Among the ways the travel industry is responding to the demand to go green:
HOTELS
Hotels have progressed far beyond giving guests the option of not having their towels and linens changed every day.
They're building green hotels or retrofitting old properties to be more sustainable. In 2008, there were 18 hotels with LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, certification awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council, an industry non-profit. Last year, there were 198 LEED-certified properties.
Green buildings use, on average, 26% less energy, emit 33% less carbon dioxide, use 30% less water, and produce 50% to 75% less solid waste, according to the building council.
Hotels also are adopting motion sensors, key cards that control lights, fluorescent bulbs and ceiling fans aimed at saving energy. To save water, they're installing low-flow shower heads and low-flow toilets. They're recycling more and replacing individual shampoo bottles with large dispensers.
Budget and luxury hotels are instituting company-wide programs to become more sustainable.
More than 2,250 of IHG's hotels participate in the company's "Green Engage" program, an online tool that helps the properties measure and report their energy, water and waste. They can see how they stack up against each other and take actions to be more green. The program has helped hotels save 10% to 25% on energy costs, IHG says.
Starwood's Element Hotels, meanwhile, is seeking LEED certification, the group says. The properties use eco-friendly materials wherever possible, such as carpets with 100% recycled content and framed art mounted on a base made from recycled tires. Bath amenities are in dispensers. Glassware and metal flatware are used instead of paper cups and plastic utensils. Fitness centers have stationary bikes with pedal-powered generators to charge tablets or smartphones.
Choice Hotels International's Econo Lodge hotels recently announced all properties must join the "Room to be Green" program this year. They must use energy-efficient indoor lighting such as LED bulbs, offer guests the chance to re-use towels and linens, and have a recycling program.
AIRLINES
Airlines have saved more than $33 billion on fuel and prevented the release of 670 billion pounds of greenhouse gases since 2000, according to Brighter Planet, which measures companies' carbon footprint.
"For an airline, there's more incentive to be fuel-efficient," says Dawna Rhoades, an associate dean at the College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. "It is 20% to 30% of their costs. That's a lot."
Plane manufacturers are building more fuel-efficient planes. Boeing has introduced the 787 Dreamliner, which is lighter because it's made almost entirely of composite materials. Airbus plans the A350 XWB's debut for 2014. The plane is projected to use 25% less fuel and reduce emissions.
Airlines have adopted new technology and practices to reduce their carbon footprints.
US Airways, for instance, is replacing gas-powered ground vehicles that transport bags with electric ones at its Philadelphia hub. A new building to house the vehicles at Philadelphia International Airport was made of 20% recycled materials.
The airline, along with most others around the world, is looking into alternative fuels such as biodiesel, a blend of soybean oil and diesel fuel that produces fewer emissions and extends the life of the engine, says Vince Costanzo, managing director of Stations Operations Support.
Jimmy Samartzis, managing director of global environmental affairs and sustainability for United Airlines, says the carrier has used 32% less fuel since 1994 and is now experimenting with alternative fuels. The airline has added winglets to the wing tips of its planes to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency.
To save on paper waste, United has introduced mobile-device boarding and given pilots iPads rather than have them carry around paperwork. The carrier has also recycled 20 million pounds of aluminum.
Nancy Young, vice president of environmental affairs for industry group Airlines for America, says the airline industry has improved its fuel efficiency by 120% since 1978 and now accounts for only 2% of the nation's greenhouse emissions.
"It's the equivalent of taking 22 million cars off the road each year," she says.
RENTAL CARS
Major car rental companies are adding electric cars to their already growing hybrid fleets.
Enterprise has more than 5,000 hybrids and electric vehicles available for rent at 70 locations.
"We will continue to add hybrids and EVs to our fleet based on consumer demand and availability from manufacturers," says spokeswoman Lisa Martini.
The company also expanded its car-sharing service last year in Philadelphia, New York and Boston.
Avis Budget has about 4,800 gas/electric hybrid vehicles available. The company keeps a small number of Chevrolet Volt electric vehicles (EVs) at New York's LaGuardia.
Nearly a third of its fleet is made up of cars that have received the Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay certification, which the EPA gives to environmentally friendly cars as measured by air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Hertz plans on offering more green vehicles to its fleet, says spokesman Lemore Hecht. The company also has a car-sharing program.
David Eastes, a director at VroomVroomVroom.com, which tracks the industry, says he has seen an increase in the number of companies dedicated solely to renting out hybrid or electric vehicles, such as MPGCarRental.com in Los Angeles. "That's never been seen before," he says.
But hybrid and electric cars tend to cost more to rent. Avis Budget spokesman John Barrows says the hybrid vehicles have daily rates approximately 10% to 15% higher, compared with standard-engine vehicles of similar size.
Deloitte's Weissenberg says that could deter some travelers from opting for the cars. But, he points out that even regular rental cars are becoming more environmentally friendly.
Most travelers aren't aware that they're on an eco-friendly plane or at an eco-friendly hotel.
Arthur Debowy, an architect in Highland Mills, N.Y., says he picks flights based on route and fare. "I know some are experimenting with biofuels but I think the jury is still out, so it has little impact on me," he says.
Meanwhile, Scott Zebedis, who works at a non-profit foundation in Anderson, Ind., will try to rent a hybrid from Avis whenever he can.
"Because I am an Avis preferred member, there is no additional charge," he says. "And it saves money on gas for the non-profit foundation that I work for."
Nancy Trejos writes about her favorite hobby: Traveling. She's been all over, from Chicago to Colombia, Nevada to Nairobi, Boston to Beirut. She's also covered education, Iraq, and personal finance.
Source: USA Today
