Econo Lodge Hotels First In Economy Segment To Make It Easy To Be Green

SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Econo Lodge hotels, franchised by Choice Hotels International, one of the world's largest hotel companies, today announced it will be the first national economy hotel chain to promote Green practices across an entire lodging portfolio. All Econo Lodge hotels in the U.S. will implement the Choice Hotels Room to be Green (RTBG) program in 2013. The program is designed to reduce environmental impact and waste, meet the changing expectations of today's environmentally conscious guests and potentially lower operational expenses, (including energy and water costs) at the property level. 

Econo Lodge, which currently has almost 900 domestic hotel properties open or under development, will require every hotel to implement the RTBG program. The RTBG program, which is available to all hotels in the Choice Hotels system, was developed based on extensive research. The program outlines three mandatory elements of its Room to be Green initiative; additionally, the program includes optional steps that each property may undertake with its Green practices. The following three elements will be mandatory for all Econo Lodge hotels:

• Energy Conservation: Hotels must use energy efficient indoor lighting solutions, such as compact fluorescent (CFL) or LED bulbs in all guest fixtures, excluding ceiling lights.
• Water Conservation: Hotels must offer all guests a towel / linen re-use program.
• Recycling and Waste Reduction: Hotels must also provide a recycling program for staff and guest use.

"The Econo Lodge brand is proud to be rolling out this program – it shows that at the economy level we take sustainability and operational efficiency very seriously. Going Green is important to our guests who range from millennial through to baby boomers -- they are conscious of how we treat the earth. We listened to what they wanted and what our franchisees wanted and we are delivering," stated Craig Mustard, head of domestic brand management for Econo Lodge.

Across the Econo Lodge portfolio, this conservation initiative could potentially reduce annual water usage by six million gallons and energy usage by twelve million kWh (*calculations noted below). Econo Lodge is also making a contribution to plant 817 trees (representing one for each of the Econo Lodge hotels currently open) in tandem with American Forests, an organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of forests around the world.

To date, approximately 100 Econo Lodge hotels have already joined the Room to be Green program. The compliance deadline for all hotels to be enrolled in the program is December 31, 2013. Hotels that participate in and meet all requirements receive a designation from Choice Hotels as a hotel that "Supports Green Practices" which guests will see when shopping EconoLodge.com.  For more information about Econo Lodge, visit www.EconoLodge.com.

*Methodology used for the calculation of energy and water reduction is based on data and assumptions taken from the AHLA Green Guidelines and Econo Lodge specific criteria. 

About Econo Lodge
Econo Lodge hotels are easy on the wallet for both leisure and business travelers. With over 800 locations, we are easy to find. We don't charge extra for high-speed Internet or premium movie channels. Start your day with our free "Easy Starts^™ continental breakfast featuring coffee, juice and baked goods. Econo Lodge makes it Easy when you're on the road.

About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises approximately 6,200 hotels, representing more than 499,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories.  As of December 31, 2012, 394 hotels, representing more than 31,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States.  Additionally, 88 hotels, representing approximately 7,800 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 20 other countries and territories.  The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands, as well at its Ascend Hotel Collection membership program, serve guests worldwide.

Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. website, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Ascend Hotel Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

© 2013 Choice Hotels International, Inc.  All rights reserved.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.