Green Seal is a non-profit organization that uses science-based programs to empower consumers, purchasers and companies to create a more sustainable world. Green Seal is a pioneer in promoting a sustainable economy. In 1989 there were no environmental certification programs in the US. During this year, our founders had the foresight to recognize the need for a tool to help shoppers find truly green products. They developed the Green Seal as a non-profit to stand for absolute integrity. Over the years the reputation of the Green Seal brand has grown to symbolize environmental leadership, and it continues to represent proven-green products and services.

1. FOR HOTELS AND
LODGING
PROPERTIES

2. GREEN SEAL STANDARD
WHAT IS THE GREEN SEAL
STANDARD?
THIS STANDARD ESTABLISHES ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND
SOCIAL REQUIEREMENTS FOR LODGING PROPERTIES
THIS STANDARD DOES NOT INCLUDE SWIMMING POOLS, GOLF
COURSES, OR RESTAURANTS (NOT IN PROPERTY) ASSOCIATED
WITH THE PROPERTY

3. BRONZE SILVER GOLD
ENTRY LEVEL
THE ESSENTIALS
MORE COMPREHENSIVE
LEVEL
INVOLVES MORE LEADERSHIP
PROPERTIES THAT ARE IN THE
FOREFRONT OF
ENVIROMENTAL LEADERSHIP
36 MONTHS
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

4. SILVER
OBLIGE TO GET THE SILVER LEVEL
FAILURE TO PROGRESS TO SILVER IN THE TIME FRAME SPECIFIED
WILL RESULT IN LOSS CERTIFICATION
PROPERTIES AT SILVER ARE NOT REQUIERED, BUT ARE
ENCOURAGED, TO PROGRESS TO GOLD
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

5. WASTE MINIMIZATION, REUSE
AND RECYCLING
GREEN SEAL STANDARD
BRONZE

6. BRONZE
THE PROPERTY SHALL ESTABLISH A RECYCLING
PROGRAM, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
RECYCLE IN COMMON AREAS
e.g., near vending machines,
near elevators, in the lobby,
inside or outside conference
roomsADMINISTRATIVE AREAS
e.g., front desk, back of the house
ALUMINIUM
PLASTIC
CARDBOARD STEEL
GLASSNEWSPAPERMIXED PAPER
BATTERIES
PACKAGING
INKJET
TONER CARTRIDGES
FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

7. BRONZE
DEFAULT SETTING FOR COPYING SHALL BE DOUBLE-
SIDED
PAPER PRINTED ON ONE SIDE SHALL BE
USED FOR INTERNAL
COPIES/PRINTOUTS/NOTEPADS
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

8. PROPERTY SHALL MAKE EFFORTS TO PURCHASE
PRODUCTS IN BULK AND AVOID SINGLE USE TYPE
PRODUCTS
BRONZE
IN PARTICULAR, EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO USE HIGHLY CONCENTRATED CLEANING
PRODUCTS DISPENSERS THROUGH PORTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT, AND TO
SUBSTITUTE REUSABLE PUMP SPRAYS FOR AEROSOL CANS
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

9. BRONZE
DONATE LEFTOVER FOOD TO A LOCAL SHELTER OR
FOOD BANK WHERE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE AND
WHERE PERMITTED BY LOCAL REGULATORY
AGENCIES (WHERE APPLICABLE)
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

10. BRONZE
PROPERTY SHALL MINIMIZE THE USE OF DISPOSABLE
FOOD SERVICE ITEMS (e.g., HOT/COLD CUPS,
GLASSES, CUTLERY AND PLATES)
PLASTIC AND PAPER CUPS
ARE PERMITTED IN
GUEST ROOM
BATHROOMS DUE TO THE
RISK OF BREAKAGE
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

11. ENERGY EFFICIENCY,
CONSERVATION AND
MANAGEMENT
GREEN SEAL STANDARD
BRONZE

12. BRONZE
IF THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT IN USE IS NOT
ENERGY-EFFICIENT, WHEN THE EQUIPMENT IS
REPLACED, ENERGY-EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT SHALL BE
SPECIFIED AND PURCHASE
• TV
• video
cassette
player/record
ers
• DVD
• Alarm clock
• Hair dryer
• Irons
• Coffee/tea
markers
ROOM EQUIPMENT OFFICE HVAC KITCHEN LAUNDRY
• Fax machines
• Copiers
• Printers
• Computers
• Monitors
• Chillers
• Packaged
terminal air
conditioners
• Central Heat
Pumps
• Freezers
• Refrigerators
• Cooktops
• Ovens
• Dishwasher
• Boilers
• Washer
• Dryers
• Extractors
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

13. BRONZE
INDOOR LIGHTING SHALL BE ENERGY-EFFICIENT OR A
SCHEDULE FOR REPLACEMENT WITH ENERGY
EFFICIENT LIGHTING
FIRST LIGHTS REPLACE:
(24 hours lighting: hallways, exit signs,
lobby signs, lobby lights)
FOLLOWED BY:
(8+ hours lighting: restrooms, staff
offices, meeting rooms…)
ALL INDOOR LIGHTS NOT CURRENTLY
ENERGY-EFFICIENT SHALL BE PART OF
A 5 YEAR REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

14. BRONZE
PROPERTY SHALL HAVE THE BUILDING HVAC
SYSTEMS, IN-ROOM UNITS, AND KITCHEN AND
LAUNDRY APPLIENCE (FACILITY AND GUEST ROOM)
ON REGULAR PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

15. MANAGEMENT OF FRESH WATER
RESOURCES
GREEN SEAL STANDARD
BRONZE

16. BRONZE
AT A MINIMUM PROPERTIES SHALL USE THE
FOLLOWING WATER CONSERVING FIXTURES AND
RETROFITS:
2.2 gallons per
minute faucets and
aerators
1.6 gallons per
flush toilets
2.5 gallons per
minute
showerheads
ANY EXISTING SHOWERHEADS, FAUCETS, AND AERATORS THAT EXCEED THESE FLOW RATES
SHALL BE ON A SCHEDULE FOR REPLACEMENT WITHIN 2 YEARS
TOILLETS SHALL BE REPLACED IN CONJUCTION WITH MAJOR ROOM RENOVATIONS
(DOCUMENTING WHEN NEXT “MAJOR” RENOVATION IS SCHEDULED)
HIGHER FLOW TOILETS MAY BE EXEMPT FROM THE FLOW RATE REQUIREMENT IF PLUMBING
INFRASTRUCTURE WILL NOT ADEQUATELY FUNCTION WITH LOWER FLOW RATES
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

17. BRONZE
FOR EXTERIOR PLANTINGS, PROPERTY SHALL USE
PLANTS AND TREES TOLERANT OF CLIMATE, SOILS
AND NATURAL WATER AVAILABILITY
LANSCAPE SHALL BE WATERED
WHERE NECESSARY IN THE EARLY
MORNING OR AT NIGHT TO MINIMIZE
EVAPORATION
GRASSES USED THAT REQUIERED
IRRIGATION SHALL BE LIMITED TO
AREAS WHERE GUESTS ACTIVITIES
TAKE PLACE
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

18. BRONZE WHERE COST EFFECTIVE, PROPERTY SHALL OFFER
TOWEL AND/OR LINEN REUSE OPTION TO MULTIPLE
NIGHT GUESTS
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

19. BRONZE PROPERTY SHALL ENSURE THAT CLOTHES WASHERS,
DRYERS, AND DISHWASHERS ARE FILLED TO
RECOMMENDED CAPACITY FOR EACH CYCLE AND
THAT THE COOLEST EFFECTIVE WATER TEMPERATURE
IS USED
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

20. BRONZE PROPERTY SHALL USE NON-PHOSPHATE, NONTOXIC,
BIODEGRADABLE, CONCENTRATED LIQUID OR
POWDER LAUNDRY DETERGENTS; AND CLEANING
PRODUCTS
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

21. BRONZE
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

22. BRONZE ALL CHEMICAL STORAGE AND MIXING AREAS FOR
HOUSEKEEPING PRODUCTS SHALL ALLOW FOR
ADEQUATE AND SECURE PRODUCT STORAGE WITH
WATER IN THE SPACE FOR MIXING CONCENTRATED
CHEMICALS
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

23. BRONZE
ENVIRONMENTALLY AND
SOCIALLY SENSITIVE
PURCHASING POLICY
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

24. BRONZE
THE PROPERTY SHALL ESTABLISH AN EVIRONMENTAL
PURCHASING POLICY, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE THE
FOLLOWING ELEMENTS (OR EQUIVALENT)
(A.) APPOINTMENT OF A STEERING COMMITTEE
(B.) INCORPORATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENCES INTO
PURCHASING DOCUMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH SUPPLIERS AND
VENDORS
(C.) CONSIDER LIFE-CYCLE COSTS OF BUYING ENVIRONMENTALLY
RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
(D.) THE PURCHASE AND TESTING OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTALLY
RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
(E.) ENVIRONMENTALLY POLICY IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON
REQUEST
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

25. BRONZE
IMPLEMENT EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING
REQUIREMENTS:
(A) PROPERTY SHALL USE PRINTING AND WRITING PAPERS
(LETTERHEAD, STATIONARY, COPY PAPER, ENVELOPES,
INVOICES, BUSINESS FORMS, ETC.) THAT CONTAIN A
MIMINUM OF 30% POSTCONSUMER MATERIAL CONTENT OR
TREE-FREE DIBER CONTENT
(A) CONSUMABLE PAPER PRODUCTS SHALL BE MADE FROM
RECYCLED FIBERS, WITH THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM
POSTCONSUMER MATERIAL CONTENT: TOILET TISSUE:20%;
FACIAL TISSUE: 10%; NAPKINS AND PAPER TOWELS: 40%
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

26. BRONZE DURABLE GOODS SHALL BE OF SUFFICIENT QUALITY
TO ALLOW REUSE, REFINISHING AND/OR
REUPHOLSTERING IN CONJUCTION WITH
REMODELING/UPGRADING OR REFURBISHING
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

27. BRONZE PREFERENCE SHALL BE GIVEN TO PRODUCT
SUPPLIERS WHO PROVIDE AND TAKE BACK REUSABLE
PACKAGING AND SHIPPING PALLETS. PACKAGING
THAT IS NOT REUSABLE SHALL BE MINIMAL AND
RECYCLABLE
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

28. SILVER
WASTE MINIMIZATION, REUSE
AND RECYCLING
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

29. SILVER RECYCLING AND/OR COMPOSTING PROGRAMS FOR
FOOD WASTE AND YARD WASTE WHERE COST-
EFFECTIVE LOCALLY
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

30. SILVER PROPERTY SHALL USE REFILLABLE AMENITY
DISPENSERS RATHER THAN INDIVIDUAL CONTAINERS
FOR SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, SOAP,
LOTION..WHERE POSSIBLE
OR
DEMOSTRATE THAT CHOSEN INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTS
ARE THE SMALLETS PRACTICAL SIZE FOR GUESTS
LENGTH OF STAY AND MINIMALLY PACKAGED IN
RECYCLED AND/OR RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

31. SILVER
ENERGY EFFICIENCY,
CONSERVATION AND
MANAGEMENT
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

32. SILVER PROPERTY SHALL PURCHASE ENERGY-EFFICIENT
WINDOWS AS WINDOWS ARE REPLACED. EXISTING
WINDOWS SHALL HAVE WINDOW FILMS, WHERE
CLIMATE AND ORIENTATION INDICATE THAT
SIGNIFICANT ENERGY SAVINGS WILL RESULT
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

33. SILVER PROGRAMMABLE ON/OFF TIMERS AND/OR SENSORS
SHALL BE USED FOR LIGHTING AND HVAC IN LOW
TRAFFIC AND LOW OCCUPANCY
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

34. SILVER
INDOOR AIR QUALITY REQUIREMENTS (IAQ)
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

35. SILVER
MANAGEMENT OF FRESH WATER
RESOURCES
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

36. SILVER
PROPERTY SHALL SEEK OUT AND EXPLORE THE USE
OF ORGANIC INSECTICIDES, FERTILIZERS AND
BIOCIDES AND/OR INTEGRATED PEST
MANAGEMENET TECHNIQUES
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

37. SILVER
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

38. SILVER ARCHITECTUAL PAINT PURHASED FOR USE ON THE
PROPERTY SHALL NOT CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING
HEAVY METALS OR TOXIC ORGANIC SUBSTANCES:
HEAVY METALS TOXIC ORGANIC SUBSTANCES
Antimony, cadmium, hexavalent
chromium, lead, mercury
Acrolein, acrylonitrile, benzene, 1,2-
dichlorobenzene, ethylbenzene,
formaldehyde, isophorone,
methylene chloride, naphtalene…
AN EXCEPTION MAY BE MADE FOR LIMITED-USE ARCHITECTURAL PAINTS USED IN
HISTORIC AREAS
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

39. ENVIRONMENTALLY AND
SOCIALLY SENSITIVE
PURCHASING POLICY
SILVER
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

40. SILVER PURCHASES OF PRODUCTS WITH VOLATILE ORGANIC
COMPOUND (VOC)
THE VOC CONTENT SHALL NOT EXCEED
• PAINTS: INTERIOR FLAT 50 g/l; INTERIOR NON-FLAT 150 g/l;
EXTERIOR NON-FLAT 200 g/l; ANTICORROSIVE ALL FINISHES
250 g/l
• GENERAL CLEANING PRODUCTS: LESS THAN 10% VOCs BY
WEIGHT
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

41. SILVER PREFERENCE SHALL BE GIVEN TO ENVIRONMENTALLY
RESPONSIBLE SERVICE SUPPLIERS
(e.g., ALTERNATIVE FUEL TAXIS, BICYCLE RENTALS, ECT.)
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

42. GOLD
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

43. GOLD
CONTINUOUS
IMPROVEMENT
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

44. GOLD ANY THREE OF THE
FOLLOWING:
(A) ENERGY REDUCTION: THE PROPERTY HAS SET SUBSTANTIVE
MEANINFUL GOALS FOR ENERGY REDUCTION;
ALERNATIVELY, THE PROPERTY IS AN ENERGY STAR LEADER
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

45. (B) SUSTAINABLE BUILDING: THE PROPERTY HAS
REGISTERED FOR AND IS ACTIVELY ACHIEVING
LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
DESIGN (LEED) CERTIFICATION
GOLD
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

46. (C) RENEWABLE ENERGY: THE PROPERTY USES
RENEWABLE FOR AT LEAST 25% OF ITS NEEDS, NOT
INCLUDING ANY RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATES;
ALTERNATIVE, THE PROPERTY IS A MEMBER OF THE
CENTER FOR RESOURCE SOLUTION’S GREEN-e
MARKETPLACE
GOLD
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

47. (D) GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION: THE PROPERTY
ACHIEVES ZERO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
WITHIN THE PROPERTY, WITH PROVE PARTNERSHIPS
AND/OR THROUGH CARBON OFFSETS AND HAS AN
ACTIVE PROGRAM TO REDUCE ITS CARBON
FOOTPRINT THOUGH EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS, NOT
INCLUDING CARBON OFFSETS
GOLD
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

48. GOLD
(E) ZERO WASTE: THE PROPERTY DOES NOT DISPOSE
OF OR INCINERATE 90% OF ITS SOLID OR WATER BY-
PRODUCTS FROM REDUCTION, REUSE, RECYCLING,
AND COMPOSTING ACTIVITIES
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

49. GOLD
(D) GREEN CLEANING: THE PROPERTY MEETS
THE REQUIEREMENTS, OR IS CERTIFIED, FOR THE
GREEN SEAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD FOR
CLEANINNG SERVICES (GS-42)
GREEN SEAL STANDARD

50. (F) WATER CONSERVATION: THE PROPERTY METERS
AND MONITORS ITS WATER USAGE AND HAS ONLY
EPA WATERSENSE TOILETS, BATHROOM FAUCETS,
SHOWER HEADS, AND LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION
GOLD
GREEN SEAL STANDARD