-LRB- Budget Travel -RRB- -- In the lodging world , green has gone mainstream . Once chided for being wasteful , the big hotel chains are now constantly trying to one-up each other with smart eco-design upgrades and stringent water and energy conservation policies . Hyatt has begun recycling its own aluminum , plastics and paper in countries where such programs do n't exist . Consider this fact : In a recent survey , 68 percent of U.S. hotels said they had energy-efficient lights , and two thirds had implemented towel - and linen-reuse programs , up from just over half five years ago . The number of properties trying to become LEED -LRB- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design -RRB- certified , the most recognized standard for building sustainability , is also on the rise : Applications to the U.S. Green Building Council for the award spiked by 550 percent between 2006 and 2008 . More than 500 hotels could soon earn the label ; until four years ago , only one had the designation . Although all the major players are making strides toward better green policies , some are doing more than others . Here 's what the leaders have achieved in four earth-changing categories : ENERGY CONSERVATION Replacing inefficient lighting , one energy-draining bulb at a time Accor : More than 8,600 Motel 6 locations in at least a dozen states have been retrofitted with occupancy sensors that cause the thermostat to readjust when guests go out . InterContinental : A trial program has been rolled out at 650 hotels that aims to cut energy consumption by as much as 25 percent . If successful , it could be expanded to all of the chain 's 4,000 properties , including Holiday Inns . Marriott : Over the past decade , 450,000 incandescent bulbs have been replaced with compact fluorescent ones , and more than 250 hotels -LRB- including some Residence Inns -RRB- have earned an Energy Star efficiency label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . Starwood : The new Element brand 's goal is for every hotel to be LEED certified . Its first property , which opened last year in Lexington , Massachusetts , is fully loaded with Energy Star appliances , LED lighting , and top-notch ventilation systems . All together , that saves enough energy annually to power 236 homes . WATER CONSERVATION Tightening up on all the drips and drops in hotel bathrooms Hilton : The company 's aim : to reduce water use at all of its brands , such as Hilton , DoubleTree , and Embassy Suites , by 10 percent by 2014 . Its nearly 90 European properties have taken the lead , installing water-saving toilets , showerheads , and faucets over the past three years . Home-turf hotels are next . Hyatt : Nearly all North American properties have `` low-flow '' showerheads -LRB- which use a maximum of 2.5 gallons of water per minute -RRB- and toilets -LRB- 1.6 gallons of water per flush -RRB- . The improvements helped reduce the chain 's overall water consumption by 3 percent in 2007 . Marriott : Over the past 10 years , the company has added some 400,000 low-flow showerheads and toilets to all of its locations worldwide . Marriott also buys 1 million towels annually that do n't require prewashing , conserving 6 million gallons of water each year . Starwood : All new Element hotels will have low-flow water fixtures in rooms and water-efficient landscaping ; its Lexington star has led the way , saving up to 1 million gallons of water per year . GREEN DESIGN Thinking about the environment from the foundation up Accor : The Motel 6 brand broke ground last year on an ultra-green building near Dallas , with laminate flooring made from recycled wood chips and a solar-powered water-heating system . Best Western : Opening this year in Golden , Colorado , the chain 's first LEED-certified hotel will run partially on solar power and have a porous asphalt parking lot to reduce storm-water runoff . Hilton : The company 's green gem is in Vancouver , Washington : a LEED-approved hotel with low-emission paint on the walls and special drains that funnel rainwater into wells for future use . Hyatt : Seattle 's Hyatt at Olive 8 , which opened in January , has an 8,000-square-foot rooftop garden , water-efficient dual-flush toilets , outlets in the parking lot for electric cars , and lighting controlled by room key cards . Marriott : In 2005 , the Marriott in College Park , Maryland , was the first chain hotel in the U.S. to become LEED certified . Among the earth-friendly frills : kitchen composting , in-room recycling bins , water pitchers instead of plastic bottles , and an organic restaurant . Starwood : All eight Element locations being built across the country this year have carpets and cushions made from recycled materials , art mounted on frames constructed from old tires , and priority parking for guests with hybrids . RECYCLING Allowing not a single can , bottle , or plastic key card to go to waste Hyatt : Starting this year , the company will only use key cards and shampoo and lotion containers made from recycled plastics . Hyatt has also begun recycling its own aluminum , plastics , and paper in countries such as Russia and Chile where such programs do n't exist . Intercontinental : As part of a pilot program started two years ago , about 140 Candlewood Suites properties donated old furniture and linens to local families following renovations -- helping to cut back on landfill . It hopes to replicate the initiative nationwide . Marriott : Each year , the chain buys 47 million pens and 24 million key cards made from recycled plastics ; it has also eliminated Styrofoam and plastic utensils at all of its locations . Coming soon : bed pillows made from the polyester fibers of recycled plastic bottles . Wyndham : Debuting later this year at Super 8 motels across the country : new staff uniforms fashioned entirely from recycled plastic bottles . Get the best travel deals and tips emailed to you and enter to win a free trip - CLICK HERE ! Copyright © 2009 Newsweek Budget Travel , Inc. , all rights reserved . Note : This story was accurate when it was published . Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip .