Green Lodgings and Restaurants
Hawthorn Inn in Camden is certified by the State as an Environmental Leader and is one of the first lodgings to enroll in the Maine Land Trust Network’s Contribute to Place program—which directs voluntary contributions from guests toward local land conservation and stewardship.
As a traveler, you can enhance Maine’s natural beauty and integrity by supporting businesses that actively work to reduce their waste and pollution.
How do you know if a business recycles and composts, conserves water and energy, and uses eco-friendly cleaners? You can inquire directly about its environmental practices or you can see if it’s certified by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as an “Environmental Leader.” The DEP certifies lodgings and restaurants and other tourist businesses such as outfitters and windjammers.
The list of green lodgings is growing rapidly—as visitors seek out places with sustainable practices. The more potential guests and customers ask about environmental practices, the greater motivation businesses have to green their operations.
The same is true for restaurants—more than two dozen of which have received Environmental Leader certification just in the past two years. Some of the measures they’re taking to earn certification include
- composting food waste and recycling other materials;
- buying local and organic food whenever possible;
- relying on sustainably harvested, local fish species that are not high in mercury;
- using environmentally friendly cleaners;
- eliminating use of chemical pesticides; and
- installing solar panels for heating hot water.
If your favorite eating establishments are not yet certified, share information on the program and encourage them to participate!
Find more information on the greening of lodgings and restaurants, see our Resources page.
