The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, in North Carolina, is taking their eco-friendly hospitality to a whole new level. From Thanksgiving Day through December 28, 2011, the hotel will showcase a life-sized "edible eco-manor", designed by architects and made by pastry chefs using all-natural and organic ingredients. The structure will be 12 feet high by 14 feet wide by 10 feet deep and will also feature LED lights and a green "moss" eco-roof.

So what goes into making a giant eco-friendly gingerbread house?

• 350 pounds of organic white, brown and confectioner's sugar
• 70 pounds of organic egg whites
• 300 pounds of organic bread flour
• 100 organic eggs
• 24 pounds of molasses
• Four pounds of salt
• Four pounds of baking soda
• 120 pounds of shortening
• 24 ounces of cinnamon
• Two gallons of organic milk
• Eight ounces each of nutmeg, allspice and cloves
• Nine ounces of ginger

This unique exhibit complements The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte's, already eco-friendly programming. The property is LEED-certified, meaning that the hotel's construction and design follows the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design guidelines. Some sustainable practices of the Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, include building materials that use 30% less energy than most hotels, reduced water usage by 35%, a green, vegetated rooftop, recycling more than 80% of construction waste, and having bicycles as available transportation for guests, among other initiatives.

For more information on the hotel's green programming, click here.

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, Business, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, North America, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, Ecotourism, Consumer Activism, Women's Travel, Luxury Travel