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BRADENTON – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today
welcomed the Holiday Inn Bradenton Riverfront to the Florida Green Lodging
Program. The property is the 152nd 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.
“DEP is excited to welcome Holiday Inn Bradenton Riverfront to the Florida
Green Lodging Program,” said DEP Southwest District Director Deborah Getzoff.
“Program participants stand out as the industry’s environmental leaders by
preserving the state’s natural resources, conserving energy as well as
protecting waterways.”
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
members of the Florida Green Lodging Program must also use green cleaners and
high efficiency air filters.
“The Holiday Inn Riverfront is proud and excited to be part of the Florida
Green Lodging Program. Our associates and guests are making an effort to care
and be concerned for the environment,” state Holiday Inn Bradenton Riverfront
General Manager Tom Jung. “Through our company-wide partnership with the Florida
Green Lodging Program, we look forward to assisting our sister properties with
the designation process and becoming green!”
Recently, Governor Crist announced the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit
on Global Climate Change this week, 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 Holiday Inn Bradenton Riverfront, the program
has 204 designated properties and more than 380 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/. | 
