Clone of Hotel Self-Certification Workbook- updated 111425
  • Maine Environmental Leader Self-Certification

  • The Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the University of Southern Maine (USM), and the University of New England (UNE) are collaborating on Maine's Environmental Leader program to provide technical assistance to the hospitality sector.


    The goal of the program is to reduce environmental impact while identifying areas to improve operational sustainability and to save money.


    This collaboration provides students at USM and UNE the opportunity to engage with businesses, coordinate site-visits, and learn best operating practices in the field while being mentored by faculty.

     

    Complete this form to generate a current snapshot of your property's operations.

    No individual scores will be shared outside of the ​N​EEFC Certification team.


    All identifying data will remain confidential and not be shared with third parties without prior consent.


    Information provided will be securely stored and used solely for recognition and related analysis.


    A score of ​100 points will result in certification.

    • General Business Information 
    • Format: (000) 000-0000.
    • Policies and Practices 
    • Image field 353
    • Business has a written environmental policy.
    • Business has an environmental team/task force which meets at least quarterly.
    • Business solicits feedback and ideas from employees.
    • Image field 442
    • Property uses printing paper that contains a minimum of 30% post- consumer recycled content.
    • Night audit reporting is stored digitally (paper-free), NOT printed out.
    • Financial/operational reporting is handled digitally (paper-free).
    • Waste Management 
    • Image field 354
    • Distribute recycling bins throughout the lodging facility for use by employees and guests in order to recycle beverage containers, food cans, newspapers, glass, and plastics.
    • Recycling Procedures (Select all that are recycled, 2 pts each):
    • Furniture is donated or repurposed/repaired when updating
    • Image field 460
    • Mattresses/box springs recycled
    • Universal Waste Management - Required by Maine Law (No Points). Store fluorescent lamps and electronics in a central accumulation area that can be locked.
    • Guest and Staff Rooms 
    • Image field 359
    • Energy Management System for rooms only while occupied
    • Percentage of guest rooms with LED lights installed
    • Guests must request to have sheets changed in an effort to reduce energy, water and detergent use
    • Guests required to request to have towels changed.
    • Image field 360
    • Refillable amenities: Shampoo
    • Refillable amenities: Conditioner
    • Refillable amenities: Body wash/ soap
    • Refillable ammenities: Lotion
    • Use amenities that... (select all that apply, 1 pt each)
    • Donate unused soap to Clean the World (www.cleantheworld.org)
    • Donate unused toilet paper rolls instead of throwing away.
    • Housekeeping 
    • Image field 462
    • Environmentally Certified Glass Cleaner (Green Seal or Ecologo, or other)
    • Environmentally Certified All-Purpose Cleaner (Green Seal or Ecologo, or other)
    • Environmentally Certified Bathroom Cleaner (Green Seal or Ecologo, or other)
    • Policy for surfaces that get disinfected AFTER being cleaned
    • Image field 356
    • Pillow card signed by the cleaning staff about cleaning products used to clean room.
    • Use of biodegradable laundry detergents that do not contain: Phosphates, nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE), or nonionic surfactants
    • Image field 382
    • Ozone washing machines (which use no hot water).
    • EnergyStar certified washing machines.
    • Water Conservation 
    • Image field 443
    • Rooms have 1.5 gpm faucets OR aerators installed in faucet
    • Rooms have 1.28 gpf toilets.
    • Rooms have less than 2.0 gpm shower heads.
    • Waterless urinals OR fractional low flow flush in common area restrooms.
    • Landscaping 
    • Image field 444
    • State law (No Points). Notification to employees and customers (signage) if pesticide spraying has occurred. For a reference to this state law see: http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pesticides/chapter_26/index.htm
    • Use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques
    • Image field 445
    • Use of Green Shield certified Pest contractor for IPM:
    • Organic (non-chemical) fertilizers used when fertilizers are needed.
    • Image field 463
    • Vegetative buffers to protect water bodies (streams, ponds, lakes, saltwater) from parking lots and driveways. Nature-Based design practices to protect against erosion. https://www.maine.gov/dep/land/ourshore/index.html
    • Native species on grounds (need less water and fertilizer to maintain).
    • Image field 464
    • Automatic sprinkler system with moisture sensors (prevents sprinklers from activating when it is raining or just after it has rained). Should apply 1 inch of water per week during growing season in one or two waterings.
    • No sprinkler system, hand watered only when needed
    • Water for irrigation is sub-metered.
    • Stormwater Management 
    • Policy on prohibiting discharges to storm drains and removing accumulated fluids from the parking lot.
    • Facility has cigarette butt disposal receptacle(s)
    • Storm drain catch basins in parking lot are cleaned out entirely on an annual basis.
    • Facility uses only dry cleaning methods (e.g. sweeping with a vacuum sweeper) to clean up or prevent the discharge of pollutants.
    • Maintenance 
    • Image field 446
    • Interior Flat paint: less than 50 g/l VOC content.
    • Reducing Impact from Carpeting (select all that apply):
    • For heating oil tanks: Number of fiberglass and/or secondary containment (i.e. double-wall or double-bottom,etc.) tanks?
    • Completed “Is Your Tank In Shape?” checklist for each tank?www.maine.gov/dep/waste/publications/isyourta.html
    • Image field 447
    • Plan in place for for HVAC disruption and motor failure. High efficiency model is identified and in place for immediate replacement.
    • Swimming pool and spa  
    • Swimming pool or spa water treatment (select all that apply):
    • Insulated pool covering (thermal blanket) to keep heat in when not in use.
    • LED lighting inside pool.
    • Image field 448
    • Solar heating system for pool.
    • Kitchen and/or Food Service 
    • Percentage of food sourced from local suppliers (within state and/ or within 100 miles).
    • Do you have a composting program?
    • Do you use a high temperature/low flow dish washer?
    • Image field 465
    • Low flow pre-rinse spray valve for pre-cleaning dishes (must be less than 1 gal/minute).
    • Do you grow any food/herbs on site?
    • Do you donate food to soup kitchen or other charitable organization?
    • Elimination of single use plastic/Styrofoam products
    • Energy 
    • Image field 466
    • OUTDOOR vending machines
    • INDOOR vending machines
    • Percentage of common areas and hallways with LED lights installed
    • Programmable on/off timers and/or sensors used for lighting and HVAC in low traffic and low occupancy areas. Both inside and outside.
    • LED or electroluminescent exit signs throughout 100% of property.
    • Low E or Thermapane Windows on Property
    • Natural light substituting for electrical light or use of daytime dimming sensors.
    • Percentage of energy obtained from renewable sources:
    • Does your business purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset emissions?
    • New efficiency boiler or furnace (within 3 years).
    • Routine maintenance performed on HVAC. Filters changed regularly. (Use of pleated Merv 8 rated filters required for points. No metal mesh filters.)
    • High efficiency air conditioning units. SEER of 13 or greater or EER of 11 or greater.
    • Fans with humidity sensors in bathrooms.
    • Individual PTAC units (package terminal air conditioner) cleaned yearly.
    • Image field 467
    • If PTAC units are cleaned with chemicals, are those chemicals and waste water collected in a waste water system?
    • Demand control ventilation for conference rooms, common areas.
    • Electric vehicle for business use
    • Ice Making
    • Contact Efficiency Maine for a: Walk Through Analysis/Energy Survey & Analysis/Scoping Audit.
    • Employee Engagement 
    • Image field 429
    • Has your business worked with the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine's Workforce to deliver training on operational sustainability for the staff? 50% of training costs are covered www.mccs.me.edu/workforce-training/grant-funded-training/
    • Environmental Education  
    • Image field 361
    • Maintain environmental information for guests and staff with current information on what your business is doing to reduce environmental impact. Can include tips and solicit suggestions from customers. ***This is separate from posting the environmental policy and from pillow cards***

    • Select number of diplays
    • Select number of collaborations with local businesses
    • Solicit guest feedback on environmental performance.
    • INITIATIVES and GOALS  
    • Do you have written policies regarding:
    • Are supplier/contractor sustainability criteria (environmental, social) integrated into procurement decisions?
    • Has the property assessed physical climate risks (sea level rise, extreme storms, heat waves) and developed a resilience action plan?
    • Do you have written goals for
    • Do you track and index progress made YoY for the following:
    • Do you break down your carbon emissions based on the Global Reporting Emissions Scope 1, 2 and 3 standards. Please provide a copy below.
    • Do you publish a sustainability report? Please provide a copy below.
    • Do you attend or hold any Green Meetings or Conferences?
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    • 100 points is an instant certification. For recertification, 130 points is required for the first recertification and rises to 150 points for the second re-certification .
      For questions contact NEEFC Lodging Certification lead:
      Peter Cooke
      peter.r.cooke@maine.edu
      207-409-6732


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