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ST. AUGUSTINE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
today welcomed the Grande Villas at World Golf Village® to the Florida Green
Lodging Program. The property is the 187th in the state to be designated a
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.
“We are pleased to welcome the Grande Villas at World Golf Village to the
Florida Green Lodging Program family,” said DEP Northeast District Green Lodging
Coordinator Sheena Chin. “By reducing water use, conserving energy, improving
air quality and decreasing solid waste, the Grande Villas is taking the steps
necessary to help 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.
“Becoming a part of the Florida Green Lodging Program is our way of
demonstrating a commitment to the environment,” said Dave Pontius, President of
Bluegreen Resorts. “It’s very important for us to show this commitment to our
owners and guests and we are doing so by seeking designation at all 13 Bluegreen
resorts in Florida. We’re honored to receive our first Florida Green Lodging
Program designation at the Grande Villas at World Golf Village.”
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 Grande Villas at World Golf Village, 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/.
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