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PONTE VEDRA BEACH – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today welcomed the Lodge & Club
at Ponte Vedra Beach to the Florida Green Lodging Program. The property is the 189th in the state to be designated.
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.
“With almost 50 percent of Florida’s visitors staying in hotels, the lodging industry can play an important role in
protecting our environment,” said DEP Northeast District Green Lodging Coordinator Sheena Chin. “By reducing water use,
conserving energy, improving air quality and decreasing solid waste, hotel guests contribute to the state’s efforts to
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 members of the Florida
Green Lodging Program must also use
green cleaners and high efficiency air filters.
“The Lodge & Club at Ponte Vedra Beach is proud to become a member of the Florida Green Lodging Program and the entire
staff has embraced the One Palm designation proudly,” said David Mariotti, General Manager of the Lodge & Club at Ponte
Vedra Beach. “Throughout the process of evaluating our facility and establishing numerous “Green Initiatives”; the Green
Team created a sense of awareness property wide in conserving our natural resources and the importance of successful
recycling efforts.”
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 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 Lodge & Club at Ponte Vedra Beach, 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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