When meeting planners for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are sourcing a meeting, their RFPs include 14 questions designed to gauge a property's environmental awareness and the steps it is taking toward sustainability. The EPA is working on creating minimum environmental standards for meeting hotels. (Visit www.epa.gov/oppt/greenmeetings for updates.) Consider asking these questions on your next RFP:

1. Do you have a recycling program? Please describe.
2. Do you have a linen/towel reuse option that is communicated to guests?
3. Do guests have easy access to public transportation or a shuttle service?
4. Are lights and AC turned off when rooms are not in use? How do you ensure this?
5. Do you use bulk dispensers for beverages, condiments, and food?
6. Do you provide reusable utensils, napkins, and tablecloths when serving food and beverages?
7. Do you have an energy-efficiency program? Please describe.
8. Do you have a water conservation program? Please describe.
9. Do you have paperless check-in and checkout?
10. Do you use recycled and recyclable products?
11. Do you source food from local growers?
12. Do you use biobased and biodegradable products?
13. Do you train your employees on these green initiatives?
14. What other environmental initiatives are in place?

In addition to asking the questions, include a clause in your RFP that plainly states your intention to lessen your meeting's environmental impact.