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ORLANDO – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today
welcomed the Springhill Suites Orlando Convention Center to the Florida Green
Lodging Program. The property is the 235th in the state to become a designated
member of the program. 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.
“DEP is proud to welcome the Springhill Suites to the Florida Green Lodging
Program,” said DEP Central District Director Vivian Garfein. “We are excited by
the increasing number of lodging facilities who are recognizing the economic and
environmental benefits that are the direct result of reducing water consumption
and energy usage, recycling and other green practices.”
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.
"JHM Hotels is one of the nation's largest independent owners and operators
of hotels, today and we are proud that our Springhill Suites Hotel at the Orlando
Convention Center recently earned the state of Florida's Green Lodging Designation,”
said Alex Blanco, Assistant General Manager at the hotel. "The efforts of our Green
Team to become environmentally friendly and safe have proven to be successful with
our designation as a member of the Florida Green Lodging Program."
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 Springhill Suites Orlando Convention Center, the program has
273 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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