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VENICE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today
welcomed the Best Western Ambassador Suites in Venice to the Florida Green
Lodging Program. The property is the first in the city of Venice and 188th 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.
“Florida Green Lodging Program facilities serve as an example and a challenge
to other hotels to adopt innovative green practices,” said DEP Southwest
District Director Deborah Getzoff. “Program participants are industry leaders in
environmental commitment.”
To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels
must follow certain 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.
“We are honored to be part of the Florida Green Lodging Program and our staff
worked very hard on accomplishing this goal,” said Best Western Ambassador
Suites General Manager Janet Bowman. “We will continue our efforts to be a
leader in the cause of protecting the environment thereby insuring the beauty
and vitality of our fabulous destinations for generations to come.”
This week, Governor Crist hosted the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on
Global Climate Change, building on the foundation of last year’s summit for
Florida’s energy future. 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 explored 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 Best Western Ambassador Suites in Venice,
the program has 211 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/. | 
