I stayed at a Sheraton last week for the Kelsey Marketplace Conference, and I stumbled on an interesting green program. 

Hotels have been trying to figure out how to go green in recent years.  A famous study placed cards in rooms telling people that the majority of other guests were reusing their towels so they should too — this would save detergent and water.  This process yielded a successful lift in participation and probably saved the hotels a lot of money.  I was always impressed by the behavioral economics underlying the program.

The Sheraton in San Diego seemed to be doing something completely new — they offered a $5 voucher for food if you put a notice on your doornob that you didn’t want your room cleaned AT ALL that day.  Now, I was staying by myself for 2 nights and the offer seeemed pretty good.  I had enough towels in the room to last me during my stay and I didn’t care if my bed was made for me each day. 

I didn’t think twice and participated in the program.  The next day I got this voucher under the door.  I was able to spend it anywhere in the hotel. 

I won with my $5.  Sheraton won because it didn’t have to pay anyone to clean up after me each day.  The environment won because things weren’t unnecessarily washed and changed out.  Terrific idea!