The Cultured Girl

Here’s something to ponder as the summer travel season ramps up: You’d never dream of changing your sheets every day at home, so why do you expect such a thing at a hotel? Thanks to the Green Hotel Association, an increasing number of hotel chains are now hanging cards in bathrooms to give guests the option of reusing their sheets and towels, saving water and electricity. Behind the scenes, the GHA is going even further, accrediting member hotels that adhere to even tougher environmental standards that span everything from in-room toiletries to cleaning supplies to recycling programs. If you can’t find a GHA member hotel in your destination city, the Association offers some handy tips for being a greener traveler, before and during your trip. For instance, just because you’re not paying the utility bill doesn’t mean you shouldn’t turn off the TV and lights when you leave your room for the day.