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ORLANDO - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today
welcomed the Rosen Centre Hotel, located in Orlando, to the Florida Green
Lodging Program. The Rosen Centre is the 57th in the state to be designated. The
Florida Green Lodging Program is a voluntary state initiative that provides the
lodging industry with technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to
adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural
resources.
“I am so pleased that Rosen Hotels is continuing their commitment to the
environment,” said DEP Central District Director Vivian Garfein. “With this
second Rosen Hotel joining the Florida Green Lodging Program, Florida’s
resources are preserved and protected for its millions of residents and
visitors.”
To be designated a member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels must
follow a variety of 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 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 designated
members of the Florida Green Lodging Program must also use green cleaners and
high efficiency air filters, and clean air handler units frequently.
“Rosen Hotels is proud to be among the first in the Orlando area to implement
environmentally conscious policies in order to conserve resources like water and
energy,” said Harris Rosen, President/COO, Rosen Hotels & Resorts. “We made the
decision years ago, before joining the Florida Green Lodging Program, to be
responsible citizens of Central Florida and of planet Earth, and we continue to
find new ways to exceed program standards to make Orlando a better place for all
of us to live, work and play.”
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 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 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 designated
facilities to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally
conscious lodging and convention facilities. With the addition of the Rosen
Centre Hotel, the program has designated 58 hotels and has more than 200
applicants.
For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodgingg. |
