Ecologically-conscious travelers who want to put their money behind their ethics have a new tool to help locate motels, hotels, resorts and bed and breakfasts that are environmental leaders.

The State of Michigan’s new Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) program kicks off this month. The voluntary effort allows lodging facilities to be certified in areas such as energy efficiency, air quality, water consumption and waste management. GLM is a joint program of the Michigan Energy Office, Department of Labor & Economic Growth and the Department of Environmental Quality. The program will make it possible for environmentally conscious travelers to find facilities that have adopted “green” practices.

GLM is a voluntary, non-regulatory program that establishes environmental guidelines for the hospitality industry. Facilities are certified at different levels based on meeting basic requirements and a number of additional environmental initiatives. The environmental initiatives are in seven categories: communication and education, energy efficiency, air quality, solid waste reduction, toxic and hazardous waste, water conservation and purchasing.

There are numerous benefits for participating in the GLM program. Businesses can save money by lowering utility bills and reducing costs associated with maintenance. They will help protect the environment and improve their building quality. Also, businesses will be able to increase their marketability to environmentally conscious travelers; attracting business from the 43 million people in the U.S. who, according to the Travel Industry Association of America, are self-proclaimed eco-tourists.

For more information, including a listing of certified green lodges, go to www.michigan.gov/greenlodging.