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Fort Myers - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today
welcomed the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa to the Florida Green Lodging Program.
The property is the 8th to be designated in Lee County and the 168th in the
state. 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 pleased to welcome the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa to the select
group of area hotels that have made a commitment to conserving Florida’s
precious resources,” said DEP South District Director Jon Iglehart. “Reducing
water use, conserving energy and decreasing solid waste is both environmentally
and fiscally responsible.”
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.
“Our team of associates is very pleased to earn the One Palm level of
achievement within the Florida Green Lodging Program and are already working
toward the next level,” says Cory Clark, general manager of Sanibel Harbour
Resort & Spa. “Our property is a natural fit with the program as we are settled
within a nature preserve and have maintained the integrity of the area while
continuing to offer four-diamond service and experience to our customers.”
Recently, 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 the 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 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 Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, the program
has 213 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/. | 
