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ORLANDO - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today welcomed the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando to the Florida Green Lodging Program. The hotel is the 12th designated Florida
Green Lodge in Orange County and 44th for the state.
“The Rosen Shingle Creek is an industry leader and a long time environmental steward,” said DEP Central District Director Vivian Garfein. “By joining the Green Lodging program, the hotel serves as an example and challenges others in the industry to adopt environmentally friendly practices to conserve Florida’s natural resources.”
To be designated a Florida Green Lodge, hotels must follow certain green
practices. These practices include, but are not limited to, water conservation
measures through low flow plumbing fixtures and a linen reuse program and energy
efficiency is achieved by installing ENERGY STAR® appliances and programmable
thermostats. The waste reduction criteria are met by providing the opportunity
to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing recycled materials and by
recycling ink and toner cartridges. All Green Lodges must also use green
cleaners and use high efficiency air filters and clean air handler units
frequently.
“We take environmental responsibilities to heart. We made it a point in the design phase of Rosen Shingle Creek to conserve water and energy and to reduce waste as much as possible; as a result, we save valuable resources,” said Harris Rosen, President/COO, Rosen Hotels & Resorts. “Guests may never notice the small changes we’ve made to help our planet. We do them because it is the right thing to do. Those guests who do take note will applaud our efforts, because they too, are socially responsible citizens concerned about the effects man has on the environment.”
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
Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, the program has designated 44 hotels and has more than 140 applicants.
For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
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