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ST. AUGUSTINE - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today welcomed the Comfort Suites at World
Golf Village to the Florida Green Lodging Program. The property is the 213th in the state to be designated. The voluntary
state initiative provides the lodging industry with free 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 Comfort Suites at World Golf Village to the Florida Green Lodging Program family,” said DEP
Northeast District Green Lodging Program Coordinator Sheena Chin. “By reducing water use, conserving energy, improving air
quality and decreasing solid waste, the Comfort Suites is taking the necessary steps 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.
“We are very proud of our staff, which has worked diligently to achieve this important designation,” said Dawn Lauten, General
Manager of Comfort Suites at World Golf Village. “The hotel is committed to exceeding the expectations of our guests and to
preserving the environment and beauty of Florida.”
Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve
natural resources and prevent pollution. In 2007, 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. With the addition of the Comfort Suites at
World Golf Village, the program has 234 designated properties and more than 400 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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