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LAKE BUENA VISTA - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
recently welcomed two additional WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resorts to the Florida Green
Lodging Program. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort and
Campground are the 45th and 46th to be designated in 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.
“I am proud of Disney’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship,”
said DEP Central District Director Vivian Garfein. “By participating in the
Florida Green Lodging Program, Disney is helping conserve and protect Florida’s
natural resources for its millions of residents and visitors.”
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground have each
implemented a communication program between staff and guests, promoting
environmental education and public feedback. In addition, the hotels conserve
water through towel and linen reuse programs and low-flow toilets, faucets and
other fixtures. Energy is conserved through ENERGY STAR® appliances,
programmable thermostats, indoor and outdoor lighting sensors, a computerized
Energy Management System and high energy-efficient lighting. Waste is reduced by
recycling office paper, purchasing products with 30 percent post-consumer waste
and instituting policies such as bulk purchasing and reduced packaging. Indoor
air quality is improved by utilizing high quality air-conditioning filters,
using environmentally preferable cleaners and following a preventive maintenance
schedule for all air-conditioning systems.
“Walt Disney himself established the rich legacy of environmental stewardship
that continues to be one of our company’s top priorities today,” said Jerry
Montgomery, senior vice president of Conservation & Environmental Sustainability
for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. “The Green Lodging program enables us to
protect valuable natural resources while, at the same time, achieving
efficiencies and financial savings that make good sense for our business.”
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 Florida Green Lodging Program
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 designated
members of the Florida Green Lodging Program to companies and trade
organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging and convention
facilities. With the addition of the Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort
Wilderness Resort and Campground, the program has designated 52 hotels and has
more than 170 applicants.
For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging. |
