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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Lodging Program is partnering with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) to encourage hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.
“Preserving our environment takes organizations such as the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association taking a leadership role in their industry and community,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “This partnership is a commitment to protecting Florida’s beautiful ecosystem and improving our already booming tourism industry.”
As part of the partnership, FRLA will host regional workshops that provide Florida’s hospitality industry with technical assistance and information on how they can preserve and protect the environment through conserving energy and water, preserving air quality and reducing waste.
In addition, FRLA will promote the Green Lodging Program to hotels and motels and encourage management and staff to utilize facilities actively participating in the Florida Green Lodging Program for conferences, meetings and travel. DEP will promote FRLA’s commitment to the program and work with the FRLA to develop upcoming environmental workshops and events.
“Helping preserve Florida’s delicate environment is central to the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s primary goal of ensuring a strong tourism industry,” Carol Dover, FRLA President and CEO. “No other organization is in the position that we are to reach hospitality’s decision makers and help bring about positive change in the industry, so it was an obvious choice for us to partner with the Department of Environmental Protection on the Green Lodging Program.”
On July 13, at the “Serve to Preserve: A Florida Summit on Global Climate Change” event held in Miami, Governor Crist signed three executive orders initiating state energy-use policies, including one that requires his state agencies and departments to hold meetings and conferences only at hotels participating in DEP’s Green Lodging Program starting January 1, 2008, whenever possible, unless no other moderate alternative exists. The Summit was a bold first step to explore groundbreaking technologies and strategies that will place Florida at the forefront of the growing world-wide movement to reduce greenhouse gases.
Hotels designated in the Green Lodging Program are committed to resource conservation. Their practices include conserving water by implementing a towel and linen re-use program; saving energy by using energy efficient products; closing drapes and shades to reduce heat; and turning off heating and cooling systems in unoccupied rooms. To reduce waste, designated hotels implement recycling programs, and hotels use environmentally-friendly air filters and cleaners to improve air quality.
Launched in March 2004 by DEP, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. As reward for designation, Florida is recommending facilities actively participating in the Green Lodging Program to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging and convention facilities. To date, Florida has 39 facilities designated in the Green Lodging Program and more than 120 applicants.
For more information on the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
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