The Missouri Hotel and Lodging Association (MH&LA) recently announced that the Candlewood Suites Hotel of Jefferson City has earned the designation as a Certified Green Hotel by the MH&LA.  Candlewood Suites earned this designation for their efforts in multiple areas of corporate responsibility; both through reducing their footprint on the environment and conserving natural resources. 
The program focuses on Candlewood reducing their footprint on the environment by using environmentally green cleaning chemicals approved by either the EPA or Greenseal, as well as using at least 30% recycled paper in its office functions.  The hotel must also reduce the amount of waste generated through recycling efforts which minimize the actual amount of non-recyclable waste that ends up in our landfills each and every year.  The other focus of the program is Candlewood's conservation of our natural resources.  Water conservation is practiced by using water conserving fixtures in all guest area showers, toilets, and faucets.  Energy conservation efforts include installation of an energy efficiency management system on air conditioners, low wattage light fixtures and bulbs, as well as the purchase of clean or renewable electricity from their electric provider. 
MH&LA's Certified Green program criteria was created by the MH&LA with invaluable input from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.  The program consists of a Self-Certification Workbook with conditions of the program agreed to by the hotel's management as well as random independent inspections by a LEED certified inspector of at least 10 percent of all hotels involved.