Local Super 8 strives to conserve energy, resources

By: Charlie Mathews, Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC — Caryn Arsta already has the title of general manager for the Super 8 Motel on the city's west side.

But she has another title from Southern Hospitality Inc., the Minnesota-family owned company that owns Super 8 and three lodging establishments in the Gopher State — C.E.G. or "Chief Executive of Green."

"We need to be creating a future for our youth with a less polluted earth," said Arsta.

She has completed the self-assessment checklist with the Department of Tourism as her motel attempts to become the first in Manitowoc, Sheboygan or Brown counties to earn Travel Green Wisconsin certification.

Recent Super 8 guest Robert Jorsch and his wife, Judith, are helping. "We can use the same sheets and towels the second night … that's fine," said the Chippewa Falls resident and former Manitowoc resident.
Southern Hospitality's Project Green has been active for about a year, with accelerated efforts in the past few months.

Among its efforts designed to make an environmental difference:

• Individual room recycling bins and recycling bins in the lobby and business center
• Linen and towel reuse program
• Natural light use
• Nontoxic cleansers
• Energy conservation including installation of compact fluorescent bulbs
• Use of glass rather than plastic.

"Guests have responded well with many positive comments," said Jami Pogue whose father purchased the Super 8, 4004 Calumet Ave., about 20 years ago.

Along with Arsta, Pogue's name is on a letter addressed to "Valued Guest" at check-in:

"We are currently enrolled in the nationwide Energy Star Challenge and are making a focused effort to reduce our energy use by 10 percent in 2009 and lessen the impact of our carbon footprint," the letter says. "We invite you to help us reach these goals!"

'Sustainable business practices'

On Friday, Arsta said she was awaiting word from state officials after submitting Super 8's application several weeks ago for a Travel Green Wisconsin certification.

Travel Green Wisconsin is a voluntary program. To earn certification, applicants must first supply the Wisconsin Environmental Initiative with a baseline environmental performance self-assessment.

The survey includes information about the amount of energy, fuel, water and solid waste the business consumed during the last calendar year.

Sustainable business practices are in several categories, including:

• Communication with and education of customers, employees, the public
• Waste reduction, reuse and recycling
• Energy efficiency, conservation and management
• Water conservation and wastewater management
• Air quality
• Wildlife and landscape conservation and management
• Transportation
• Purchasing
• Local community benefits

State officials say on Travel Green Wisconsin's Web site that participants can be "ecopreneurial" and adopt the
practices that make the most sense for their operation.

It's not just lodging facilities urged to go green but also botanical gardens, cruise vessels, resorts, golf courses, marinas and restaurants.

Super 8's owners have invested more than $200,000 in the past two years for a variety of renovations at the 82-room motel, including new drapes and bedding, as well as installation of a high-efficiency water heater.

Combined with the re-linen and re-towel program and Arsta said Super 8's energy bill has dropped dramatically.
The motel has one 80-pound washing machine and two dryers.

"We're down a full load a day," she said.

Akshay Patel, co-owner and general manager of the downtown EconoLodge, 908 Washington St., also is doing the self-assessment process linked to Travel Green Wisconsin.

While guests can certainly have their linens and towels changed daily, Patel said many multinight and long-term stay guests are environmentally conscious and choose to re-use.

Other Lakeshore area motels and hotels also encourage recycling of newspapers, cans and bottles as well as linens and towels, including Best Western Lakefront Hotel, Comfort Inn and Lighthouse Inn.

Other lodging establishments did not respond to the Herald Times Reporter's request for "green" information.

"We will continue to be pro-active … we want to set the pace," Arsta said.

"I also believe that someday there will be state mandates related to recycling (in lodging establishments) and I think we'll see those changes sooner rather than later," she said.

Arsta already knows the next major environmental investment she'd like her motel's owners to consider.

"I'd like to see solar panels and light pipes on the roof," she said.

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