When it comes to "going green," hotels look at every department and area of the property, but housekeeping may be the most obvious one in which to make changes. There are washers and dryers that can be replaced with more efficient models, cleaning chemicals that can be traded for environmentally friendly products, and traditional practices such as washing sheets and towels daily that can be updated by giving guests more options.

While many hotels have taken those steps, some are going even further, getting creative and finding new green initiatives to add to their programs. The Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, CA, has a list of approximately 40 green initiatives it has implemented, many of which involve housekeeping.

"About two years ago we recognized that we needed to take a proactive step toward making sure we were doing all we can to preserve natural resources and improve the environment," says hotel manager Paulette Fischer, "especially in our location with the beach right across the street from us."

To do that the hotel formed a green committee, which includes 25 people representing every department of the property and meets monthly. At its inaugural meeting, the committee members brainstormed and thought of some simple things they could do to get greener, as well as some that take more work and investment.