Office of Sustainable Initiatives
Florida Green Lodging
Program
Sheena Chin-Greene
Coordinator
Our Topics for Today
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Introduction to the Florida Green Lodging Program
Brief History
Designation Process Overview
Areas of Operations
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What is the Florida Green
Lodging Program?
The Florida Green Lodging Program is a voluntary, nonregulatory effort by the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) that encourages the
lodging industry to:
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Conserve water and energy
Minimize waste generation and increase recycling
Improve indoor air quality
Implement environmentally friendly purchasing and
pollution prevention strategies
• GOAL: Help Florida’s lodging industry become
sustainable while lowering operating costs
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By the Numbers...
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407,627 rooms available for lodging
4,462 lodging-type facilities
2014 tourism related spending = $82.0 billion*
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Lodging – $21.2 billion (25.8% of total)
Dining – $36.3 billion
Admissions – $13.9 billion
Other – $10.7 billion
$128.10 = average amount spent by each domestic visitor per
day in Florida*
*Courtesy of Visit Florida’s 2014 Florida Visitor Data
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Benefits of Sustainable Practices in the
Hospitality Industry
Increases to the “Triple Bottom Line”:
Planet
• Reduce water use, energy consumption and waste
generation
Profits
• Waste = Lost Profits
People
• Companies and non-governmental organizations
are requesting green meetings and conferences
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A Little History…
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The Florida Green Lodging Program was launched in
2004 as part of the DEP’s Pollution Prevention Program
1st four hotels were designated on March 10, 2004
• Hilton University of Florida Conference Center
• Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa
• Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
From March 10, 2004 to July 20, 2007, at total of 25
properties were designated
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A Little History…
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Program underwent changes in July 2009 to improve not
only the environmental performance of designated
properties, but also to increase the overall operating
efficiency and customer service aspects of the program.
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These changes have resulted in increased environmental
protection and a streamlined program.
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On August 1, 2012, a partnership was launched with
Audubon International’s Green Lodging Program to
further recognize the top environmental performers in
the state lodging sector
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Currently 737 designated properties are in the program
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Reasons for Growth
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Section 4 of Executive Order 07-126 – required that
“as of January 1, 2008, state agencies and
departments under the direction of the Governor
could not contract for meeting or conference space
with hotels that had not received the DEP’s Green
Lodging program designation……except when
certified by the Governor or the responsible agency
head that no viable alternative existed.
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Section 286.29, Florida Statutes: The Energy,
Climate Change and Economic Security Act of 2008
– stressed the above through House Bill 7135and
included reducing greenhouse gas emissions and
investing in alternative energy technologies
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About the Designation…
• Florida Green Lodging designation is valid
for 3 years
• All other properties must renew their
designation within 3 years of their
designation date.
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About the Renewal…
How does a facility renew its designation?
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Must have submitted environmental
performance data annually
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Complete the renewal designation application
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Must consistently maintain compliance with
program requirements
Must implement at least two new environmental
practices from any of the five areas of
sustainable operations every 3 years
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Compliance with Program Criteria
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Compliance with the program criteria is checked
through random spot audits
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Properties are notified by letter once they have
been selected
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A Green Lodging representative will contact the
property to schedule the audit and discuss any
necessary items
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Spot Audit Process
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Audits consist of the following:
• Brief introductory meeting
• Document review
• Facility walk-through
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Properties generally are notified of the audit
results within 4 weeks
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If a property cannot or refuses to correct
deficiencies that are noted in a timely manner,
they will be removed from the program
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Current Designation Process
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Conduct a property assessment and implement
environmental practices in five areas of operations:
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Communication and Education
Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling
Water Conservation
Energy Efficiency
Indoor Air Quality
Complete the designation application
• Details requirements and provides Best Management
Practices and Technical Assistance to help facilities achieve
designation
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http://www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging/files/designationapplication1.pdf
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Current Designation Process
• Palm Rating System
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One Palm:
Two Palm:
Three Palm:
Four Palm:
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212 – 398 points
399 – 557 points
558 – 717 points
718 – 796 points
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Application Review Process
• In most cases, applications and documentation should be
submitted electronically
• Once received, applications are usually reviewed within 2
business days
• If any correction is needed:
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• Email sent with specific items that need to be corrected
• Highlighted copy of application will also be returned
• Once complete, resubmit application
No correction needed:
• Congratulations email will be sent to applicant
• Certificate and Green Lodging flag will be sent within 1 month
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Areas of Operation
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Communication and Education
Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling
Water Conservation
Energy Efficiency
Indoor Air Quality
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Communication and Education
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Communicate your environmental efforts to your
constituents!
Show environmental benefits at your facility and
where your constituents live, work and play
Sample Practices
• Use of facility’s in house channel to communicate
environmental messages
• Establish a “Green Team” to evaluate and improve
environmental initiatives
• Provide a way for guests and staff to provide
feedback
• Have a formal written comprehensive environmental
policy, including a purchasing policy that addresses
environmental issues
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Waste Reduction, Reuse and
Recycling
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Reduce materials at their source, recover, reuse and
recycle
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Prevents pollution and reduces or eliminates treatment
and disposal costs
Sample Practices
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If applicable, recycle items such as plastic, aluminum cans,
steel cans, glass, office paper, newspapers, magazines, ink
cartridges, fluorescent blubs, electronics, etc.
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Provide recycling bins for guests at multiple locations
throughout the property
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Institute one or more of the following activities: bulk
purchasing, reduced packaging, manufacturer take-back
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Use reusable goods in place of disposable goods
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Water Conservation
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Lessen the impact a lodging facility has on the
environment
Protect our very reason visitors come to Florida: the
beautiful beaches, rivers, springs and lakes
Sample Practices
• Use a preventative maintenance schedule to find and
repair leaky faucets, toilets and pipes (restrooms,
kitchen, exterior, etc.)
• Offer a towel and linen reuse program
• Use low flow faucets, showerheads and toilets
• Install and set timers for optimum water
conservation
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Energy Efficiency
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Lodging facilities have significant opportunity to:
Reduce energy use
Reduce costs
Keep equipment in optimum condition
Sample Practices
• Have your utility provider conduct an energy
assessment and track usage
• Have a preventative maintenance schedule to clean
and maximize efficiency in appliances
• Use energy efficient lighting
• Encourage guests and staff to walk, bus and bicycle to
and from the hotel
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Indoor Air Quality
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Increase energy efficiency
Reduce exposure to health-related liabilities
Positive impacts on the “bottom line”
Higher employee and guest satisfaction
Sample Practices
• Use at least two environmentally friendly cleaners
• Use air filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value
(MERV) of 8 or better
• Clean all air handler units and coils annually and have a
preventative maintenance schedule
• Routinely monitor ceiling tiles, wallpaper, shower curtain
or other absorbent surfaces for signs of mold and replaces
as necessary
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Common Mistakes and Problems
… In the Application and Review Process
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Not enough supporting documentation
• Include all necessary documentation, as indicated by criteria
• Examples include pictures, scanned copies of forms (especially
those for preventative maintenance programs), meeting
minutes, etc.
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Incomplete or incorrect environmental performance
data
• Need 12 months of historical data for energy use, water
consumption and waste generation
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New properties need to supply as much historical data as
possible
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Suggestions for Success
• Obtain Buy-in from Top Management
• Establish a “Green Team”
• Constantly Evaluate Your Environmental
Performance
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Available Assistance
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Marketing:
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Designated facilities are featured on the Florida
Green Lodging Web site.
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Designees are granted exclusive use of the green
marketing tool kit.
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging/toolkit.htm
Technical Assistance:
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24/7 Web access to Best Management Practices,
Technical Assistance and other “green” resources.
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DEP hosted Webinars and workshops to continue
employee education.
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Florida Green Lodging Program
Contact
Sheena Chin-Greene
Program Coordinator
GreenLodging@dep.state.fl.us
850.245.2116 or 904.256.1513
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