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ORLANDO - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today welcomed the Sheraton Safari Hotel and Suites
to the Florida Green Lodging Program. The property is the 218th 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.
“We are proud to welcome the Sheraton Safari to the Florida Green Lodging Program,” said DEP Central District Director Vivian
Garfein. “It’s so exciting to see an ever-increasing number of lodging facilities joining this program and realizing that green
practices such as water conservation, recycling and energy reduction are not only good for business, they are good for the
environment. ”
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.
“The Sheraton Safari Hotel and Suites is very pleased to have accomplished our One Palm designation and we are already working
towards Two Palm,” said Jeff Brinda, General Manager. “We are extremely proud of how our associates embraced this challenge and
how hard they worked to make this happen, especially with the leadership provided by our Green Team.”
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 Sheraton Safari Hotel and
Suites, the program has 234 designated properties and nearly 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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