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SARASOTA – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today
welcomed the Courtyard and SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Sarasota to the
Florida Green Lodging Program. The properties are the 162nd and 163rd in the
state to become designated members 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.
“DEP is proud that the Courtyard by Marriott and SpringHill Suites by
Marriott are making the commitment to protect Florida’s environment by joining
the Florida Green Lodging Program,” said DEP Southwest District Director Deborah
Getzoff. “Their leadership can serve as an example to other hotels to adopt
green practices, which conserve resources and save money.”
To become a designated 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, 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.
“Our general managers and their Green Teams have shown great dedication and
hard work in achieving the Florida Green Lodging Program designation,” stated
John McKibbon, chief executive officer for McKibbon Hotel Management. “We are
pleased to help preserve our state’s precious natural resources, and these
practices will enable us to run our hotels more efficiently and cost effectively
while attracting environmentally-responsible business partners. We are well
underway to achieving our goal of all 27 McKibbon hotels in Florida receiving
this important designation.”
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 the 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 Courtyard by Marriott and SpringHill Suites by
Marriott in Sarasota, 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/. | 
