|
DAYTONA BEACH - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
today welcomed the Plaza Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach to the Florida Green Lodging Program. The hotel is the third designated Florida
Green Lodge in
Volusia County and 41st for the state. The Plaza Resort & Spa joins its sister
hotels, the Palm Plaza and the Beachside Plaza Resort, all owned by Ocean
Waters, with this Florida Green Lodging designation.
“The Plaza Resort & Spa has demonstrated a commitment to protecting Florida’s
environment,” said DEP Central District Director Vivian Garfein. “Their
leadership serves as an example and a challenge to other hotels to adopt
innovative green practices, conserve resources and save money.”
“This is a great day for Ocean Waters, our guests and the entire community,”
said Tim Stockman, Vice President of Ocean Waters. “We are very proud that the
Plaza and our other properties are setting an industry example by going green.”
The Plaza Resort & Spa installed low-flow features such as toilets,
showerheads and aerators to conserve water and energy. In addition to using high
efficiency lighting, programmable thermostats and sensors on its indoor/outdoor
lighting, the resort has begun using ENERGY STAR® appliances. To reduce waste
the resort practices bulk purchasing, offers recycling, purchases products with
a minimum 30 percent post-consumer recycled content, and recycles toner/ink
cartridges. Indoor air quality is improved by use of environmentally-preferable
cleaners, frequent cleaning and maintenance of air conditioning equipment and
use of air conditioning filters with a minimum efficiency rating value of eight
or better.
“We have a commitment to our guests and the community to make sure we are
friendly to the environment with everything we do,” said Rob Pici, General
Manager of the Plaza Resort & Spa.
On July 13, at his Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change,
Governor Crist signed three executive orders initiating state energy-use
policies, including one that requires state agencies and departments to hold
meetings and conferences only at hotels with Green Lodging designation starting
January 1, 2008, whenever possible. The Summit was a bold first step to explore
groundbreaking technologies and strategies that will place our state at the
forefront of the growing world-wide movement to reduce greenhouse gases.
Launched in March 2004, 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 Green
Lodges to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious
lodging and convention facilities. With the addition of the Plaza Resort & Spa,
the program has designated 41 hotels and has more than 120 applicants.
For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
| 
