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Many hotels, inns and other accommodations proclaim themselves as “green” -  in other words, using earth-friendly, sustainable products and practices in their daily operations. As more and more of these establishments pop up around the U.S. and the rest of the world, it’s important to remember that there are many shades of green, and that some eco-tourist lodges are more friendly to the earth than others. Here are some things to look for when choosing a “green” hotel or resort during your next trip.

First, check for businesses that are LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. This is the nationally accepted accreditation for buildings that were constructed using sustainable methods and materials; that use sustainable operations (such as ecologically sound waste disposal) for routine maintenance and management; and that run on clean water and energy systems.

Also find out whether the products used in the hotel, such as toiletries and cleaning supplies, are environmentally friendly. If there is a restaurant attached to the hotel, the food it serves should be fresh, local, and organic.

Green hotels should have systems in place to reduce waste and encourage conservation. Some examples are recycling programs for waste materials both large and small, and energy-efficient lighting or air-conditioning units that only function when a guest is present in the room. Other small, but important clues that a hotel is truly green: It incorporates local plants and trees into the décor (instead of using hard-to-maintain imported greens), it doesn’t offer complimentary newspapers, phone books or other paper products unless requested by a guest; and uses dispensers instead of individual amenity bottles.

With a little homework, it’s not hard to find excellent, high-quality green hotels that you can feel good about supporting while you travel.

Eileen Loh is a free lance writer and world traveler. You can read more of her work here