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Montana Green Lodging Program

The Montana Innkeeper’s Association (MIKA) has partnered with Green Directory to offer lodging properties within Montana a way of identifying some of their 'green' operations. The partnership is meant to recognize and encourage eco-friendly and sustainable business activities.

Lodging properties receive badges depending upon their operations. To learn more about the program, visit GreenDirectory.com.

The Montana Department of Commerce and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality encourage lodging properties to consider the eleven minimum guidelines for going green as presented by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). AHLA's Green Guidelines provide specific suggestions that will reduce water and energy consumption, increase recycling, and monitor results.

Become familiar with AHLA’s 11 Minimum Guidelines for Going Green:

  1. Each hotel should form an Environmental Committee that is responsible for developing an Environmental Green Plan for energy, water, and solid waste use.
  2. Manage your hotel’s environmental performance by monitoring the electric, gas, water, and waste usage information on a monthly and annual basis.
  3. Replace incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps wherever possible.
  4. Install digital thermostats in guestrooms and throughout the hotel.
  5. Implement a towel and/or linen reuse program.
  6. Install 2.5-gallons per minute showerheads or less in all guestroom baths and any employee shower areas.
  7. Install 1.6-gallon toilets in all guestrooms.
  8. Implement a recycling program --including public spaces -- to the full extent available in your municipality; document your efforts.
  9. Implement a recycling program for hazardous materials found in fluorescent bulbs, batteries, and lighting ballasts through licensed service providers.
  10. Purchase Energy Star labeled appliances and equipment.
  11. All office paper products should have 20% or more post consumer recycled content.

Visit AH&LA's Green Resource Center to find guidelines, best practices, industry suppliers, and other tips for becoming a more eco-friendly organization. Follow links to the 11 Guidelines and find case studies, statistics, and additional resources for each step listed above.