We like that they quickly run through the half-hearted efforts, like putting a little placard up asking guests to reuse their towels, and quickly get to some practices that take real effort. We're still a little grossed out by the waterless urinals at The Colony Resort and Cabana Club, but we do like their idea of using recycled carpet squares instead of wall-to-wall. "When one square wears out, detach, recycle and replace it, without throwing out the whole rug." Owner and manager Jestena Boughton also reuses sheets that have gotten a rip, turning them into curtains or pillowcases.
In wealthy Palm Beach County, The Colony Hotel (above) and the Breakers Palm Beach have both earned a "Green Lodging Certification" from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In downtown Miami, the Four Seasons and InterContinental have gotten the nod.
Kudos to Rick Hawkins, The Breakers' director of materials management, who puts it all in language that the Wall Street Journal editorial page readers can understand. "If we don't do things to save the planet, our lovely historic hotel is going to be a dive site one day. And everything we've done boosts profitability. The return on investment long-term is huge."