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PONTE VEDRA BEACH – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
today welcomed the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club to the Florida Green Lodging Program.
The property is the 183rd in the state to become a designated member of the
program. The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with
technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving “green”
practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.
“With almost 50 percent of Florida’s visitors staying in hotels, the lodging
industry can play an important role in protecting our environment,” said DEP
Northeast District Green Lodging Program Coordinator, Sheena Chin. “By reducing
water use, conserving energy, improving air quality and decreasing solid waste,
hotel guests contribute to the state’s efforts to protect, restore and conserve
Florida’s natural resources.”
To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels
must implement a variety of green practices. These practices include, but are
not limited to, water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures,
a linen reuse program, 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
properties must also use green cleaners and high efficiency air filters.
According to Dale Haney, Vice President and General Manager of the Ponte
Vedra Inn & Club, “Our entire staff of 750 employees has enthusiastically
participated in taking the necessary actions to be environmentally responsible
and safeguard Florida’s precious natural resources.”
Recently, Governor Crist announced the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit
on Global Climate Change this month, building on the foundation for Florida’s
energy future that began at last year’s summit. During the 2007 summit, 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 as of
January 1, 2008, whenever possible. This year’s summit will explore technologies
and strategies to stimulate economic development in clean technologies as well
as “green” Florida’s business community.
Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes
environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and
prevent pollution. As a reward for designation, the state is recommending
designated properties in the Florida Green Lodging Program to companies and
trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging and convention
facilities. With the addition of the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, the program has 198
designated properties and more than 365 applicants. For more information about
the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives is comprised of three voluntary,
non-regulatory programs that assist Florida industry and citizens in protecting
the environment. The Clean Marina Program, the Florida Green Lodging Program and
the Florida Pollution Prevention Program offer a variety of services including
on-site assessments, consultations, speakers and workshops, all at no cost to
citizens or organizations. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs is
to meet the needs of the present population without compromising resources for
future generations. To learn more about DEP’s Sustainable Initiatives, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/green/. | 
