Five Chicago hotels earn Green Seal approval

Three Kimpton-owned hotels in Chicago are among the first in that city to earn Green Seal designation. Hotel Allegro, Hotel Burnham and Hotel Monaco Chicago have met a high standard for environmental awareness, minimizing waste and saving energy and water. The InterContinental Chicago and Talbott Hotel also received Green Seal certification.

"Having our EarthCare initiatives validated by an important organization like Green Seal acknowledges that we are doing the right things for the environment and our business," said Nabil Moubayed, general manager of Hotel Monaco.

Under Kimpton's EarthCare program, the Chicago Kimpton properties have adopted more than 40 eco-friendly practices. Among these are an emphasis on recycling, green purchasing protocols, cutting hazardous chemicals in cleaning supplies and minimization of energy use in operations.

According to Kimpton, in 2007, its company-wide paper reduction efforts eliminated 54,509 pounds of landfill waste.

Chicago has encouraged its hotel industry to seek Green Seal approval through the Climate Action Plan and Green Hotels Initiative.