"It's not easy being green" may be the tagline for everyone's favorite frog, but it does not necessarily ring true when it comes to environmental responsibility. As the green trend moves away from an overnight fad into an actual movement, companies from clothing distributors to the meetings industry are taking serious action to ensure that Mother Earth is still around for future generations.

Going green is especially imperative to the meetings and hotel industries. While hotel and conference customers may not think twice about using a new towel with every shower, leaving the lights on when no one is in the room, or printing out more copies than are needed, companies like ARAMARK Harrison Lodging are taking their environmental responsibility seriously. It is important to keep in mind that the average hotel purchases more products in one week than one hundred families typically do in a year. Add to this the products and services used for learning and training events and it is easy to see why conference centers can have a huge impact on the environment.

According to the Convention Industry Council, "A green meeting or event incorporates environmental considerations to minimize its negative impact on the environment." Meeting planners recognize ...