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KEY WEST - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today
welcomed Deer Run Bed & Breakfast on Big Pine Key to the Florida Green Lodging
Program. The hotel is the fifth in the Florida Keys and the 43rd for the state.
The Florida Green Lodging Program is a voluntary state initiative that provides
the lodging industry with technical assistance, and encourages hotels and motels
to adopt cost-saving green practices that reduce waste and conserve natural
resources.
“We are proud to be a part of Deer Run Bed & Breakfast reaching this
milestone,” said Jon Iglehart, DEP’s South District Director. “Pollution
prevention projects like this one protect the environment while saving resources
for businesses.”
Deer Run is an all-organic vegetarian bed and breakfast that buys fair trade
products when possible as well as locally grown produce when available. The
facility has reduced energy consumption by installing energy efficient
appliances, compact fluorescent light bulbs, solar garden lighting and on-demand
water heating.
The four room bed and breakfast conserves water through low flow showerheads
with soap up valves, low flow faucets and by landscaping with native plants that
require less irrigation. It also uses recycled paper products, composts food and
yard waste, implemented a towel and linen re-use program and uses green
cleaners.
"It is our obligation to be a good steward of the gifts of our environment,”
said owners, Harry Appel and Jennifer DeMaria. “We are so proud to become an
official Green Lodging establishment certified by the State of Florida and shall
use this opportunity to lead by example, and continue to learn from others."
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 the 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 worldwide 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 Deer Run Bed &
Breakfast, the program has 43 hotels designated and has more than 120
applicants.
For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
For more information about Deer Run Bed & Breakfast, visit
www.deerrunfloridabb.com.
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