The Inn at the Rustic Gate is a "Green Facility"

The innkeepers' desire to have this facility promote ecologically sustainable practices led to the following building and renovation decisions that support the environment:

-Saving fossil fuels by installing a geothermal heating and cooling system.
-Using Johns Manville formaldehyde free insulation materials.
-Using adhesives without volatile compounds
-Painting the interior with Benjamin Moore Ecospec paint.
-Using Weather-Bos water soluble stains and sealants on both exterior and interior wood
surfaces.
-Installing carpet and padding made of recycled fibers
-Outdoor decking by Nextwood is made of recycled composite materials.
-Outdoor deck and porch white furniture by Polywood is made from recycled milk jugs.
-Recycled cast aluminum for signage

The hospitality industry is one of our nation's largest consumers of energy and natural resources due to the vast amounts of daily laundry that are generated. Over ten years ago the Green Hotel Association began promoting the concept of more than one day's use of linens if the guest stay was longer than just one night. It has been estimated that industry wide, 70% of guests, when asked, now hang up their towels and use them for more than a single use. These same guests also allow for the room to be made up and tidied without necessarily changing the sheets daily, unless they have become soiled. Based on surveys of participating managers it is estimated that this has allowed for an average 5% reduction in energy costs alone per facility. The Inn at the Rustic Gate subscribes to these energy and water conservation efforts. If a guest stay is over several days, the linens are replaced only when necessary or when requested by the guest.

Unlike many other facilities the Inn does not distribute individual use soap, or containers for shampoo or lotion. Instead we provide dispensers in each shower tub or sink area to provide these items.

The Inn also recycles all newspapers, magazines, corrugated cardboard, metal cans, fiberboard, plastic bottles, and Styrofoam. We support the Mecosta Recycling center with donations of cash and returnable beverage containers.