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MIAMI – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today
welcomed the Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center to the
Florida Green Lodging Program. The property is the 190th 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 happy to add the Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting
Center to the Florida Green Lodging Program,” said DEP Southeast District
Director Jack Long. “With more than 400 rooms and 19,000 square feet of meeting
facilities, the Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel will set a substantial mark in its
energy and water conservation while reducing waste.”
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 Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center is honored to
participate in the Florida Green Lodging Program,” said Helen Simmons, Area
Director of Operations for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Our team is dedicated to
being a part of the environmental solution while continuing to provide our
guests with exceptional customer service and an overall unique experience, such
as with PURE allergy friendly guest rooms and meeting space.”
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 Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, the
program has 254 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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