Green Business Program - Galleria Park Hotel

Script:

Green Business Program - Galleria Park Hotel

Green Business open

VO:
In the center of the city, amongst the glitz and glamour...

NATS

VO:
Of swank digs and spa quality baths is something you might not expect... something very green.

SOT -- James Lim, Galleria Park Hotel Manager
You don't have to change your DNA you just have to change some of your practices.

VO:
Galleria Park Hotel in downtown San Francisco changed enough practices to become a certified California Green Business.

SOT -- James Lim, Galleria Park Hotel Manager
If you calculate what the return on investment is in the long run, it's actually giving us a significant amount of savings.

VO:
He says like 3 to 5 thousand a year in garbage bills after boosting the hotel's recycling program. Reduced water bills from installing low flow toilets and showerheads
30-40% drop in electric bills just by changing out light bulbs.

SOT -- James Lim, Galleria Park Hotel Manager
We were spending over $3 per occupied room in electricity bills. However, after we installed all of the compact fluorescent light bulbs, it went down to like 1.69, a dollar sixty nine cents per occupied room.

VO:
The manager says more savings came from using refillable cleaning bottles. And what's on the cleaning carts, is just about, all green. Harsh chemicals are used sparingly for cleaning.

SOT -- Nataliya Khlemnitskaya, Executive Housekeeper
We find out there's a lot of chemicals that green certified can do absolutely same job.

SOT -- James Lim, Galleria Park Hotel Manager
It's a no brainer, if you own a hotel or managing a business and you see all this comparisons and savings you could realize, it makes sense.

SOT -- Sushma Bhatia, San Francisco Green Business Program
Which is the perfect reason why all businesses need to go green.

VO:
Sushma Bhatia of the San Francisco Green Business program helps local businesses earn their green stripes so to speak.

NATS

VO:
Local green business programs use a statewide data base managed by California's Department of Toxic Substances Control to create a certification checklist custom tailored to each business. In the case of the Galleria Park, the checklist even included changes that could be done at a discount and in some cases free.

SOT -- Sushma Bhatia, San Francisco Green Business Program
We give rebates for energy efficient fixtures. We provide consulting support to help business choose low toxic cleaning products. All of these things that businesses would have to, otherwise have to do by themselves or hire a consulting firm, we act as their consultants for free.

VO:
And throw in the marketing advantage of displaying the Green business certification for all customers to see...

SOT -- James Lim, Galleria Park Hotel Manager
There was a guest here during our wine hour and the guest said, "Wow. I didn't even know you were green certified. Now that I know that you are green certified, I'm just going to keep staying at your property."

VO:
Getting certified as a California Green Business can bring in a whole lot of the green.

SOT -- James Lim, Galleria Park Hotel Manager
When I really looked at the comparisons...it was like Wow! Why weren't we doing this a long time ago.

Green Business close

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Green
• CALEPA
• Business
• Environment
• Galleria Park Hotel

[CoolCalifornia2010]

Great example of a green business and an inspiration!