HOTEL/MOTELHOTEL/MOTELGREEN STANDARDS & GREEN STANDARDS &

CERTIFICATION PROGRAMCERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

A joint project of Waste Reduction & Pollution Prevention

Project StaffProject Staff

Peter Goren, Project Supervisor 850/487-9532, Peter.Goren@dep.state.fl.us

Karen Moore, Waste Reduction 850/921-9225, Karen.S.Moore@dep.state.fl.us

Slade Syrdahl, Pollution Prevention 850/921-9231, Slade.Syrdahl@dep.state.fl.us

Matina Wagner, Project Coordinator 863/424-5646, matina@gte.net

Project Stakeholders (confirmed) Project Stakeholders (confirmed) Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation

St John River Water Management District

Southern Waste Information eXchange,

Richard Keller (MES)

Alachua County Office of Waste Alternatives

Gaineville Regional Utilities (GRU)

Volusian Water Alliance UF/TREEO

FDEP Hilton @ WDWCity of Gainesville

Sarasota County

FHMADoubletree Tampa

Residence Inn Gainesville Florida Power

Doubletree Gainesville FLAUSA

Sarasota County

Amelia Island

City of St. Petersburg

Southwest FL Water Mgmt District

Florida Cooperative Extention

Linda Tozer, Energy Consultant

Project GoalProject Goal

To draft recommendations for establishing a “green standards” program for Florida’s Lodging Industry, which promotes water and energy conservation, waste reduction, recycling, and pollution prevention.

Project PlanProject Plan

Research/document what is currently being done in the lodging industry

Draft “Green Hotel” definition and standards

Solicit input from stakeholdersReport progress and make

recommendations

What is a “Green Hotel?”What is a “Green Hotel?”

Green Hotels are also referred to as earth

friendly inns, eco-friendly lodging, eco-lodges,

eco-hotels, and eco-resorts.

These lodging establishments feature

innovative and imaginative programs for

conserving natural resources, reducing waste,

minimizing pollution, while maximizing

sustainability.

What is a “Green Hotel?” con’t.What is a “Green Hotel?” con’t.

Many of these facilities are designed and constructed with a concern for environmentalquality. While other properties consist ofrecycled and/or renovated buildings withupgrades to conserve energy and water,minimize waste, incorporate naturallandscaping, or utilize recovered buildingmaterials. Some properties also support localenvironmental efforts or groups and/or offerenvironmental education or excursions.

What is a “Green Hotel?” con’tWhat is a “Green Hotel?” con’t

Although the type and level of activity at the

Green Hotel's we have researched varies

widely, all these facilities have a common

commitment to protect the environment.

Industry Perspective Industry Perspective Outside the U.S.A.Outside the U.S.A.

Skandia Hotels

Inter-Continental Hotels and Resorts

Caribbean - Project Planet Corp Conserving for Tomorrow & Caribbean Cares

St. John Island – Maho Bay

South America – Costa Rica and Mexico

Canada – Green Leaf Eco-Rating and Canadian Pacific

Industry Perspective Industry Perspective In the U.S.A.In the U.S.A.

Vermont – Green Hotels in the Green Mt State

Pennsylvania - DER Programs in the Pokonos

Texas – home of the Green Hotels Association

North Carolina – The Green Plan for Hotels

California – ISWMB

Arizona – Good Earthkeeping Program

Georgia – Hotel/Motel Waste Reduction Initiative

Virginia – environmentaLodging

What’s been done in Florida?What’s been done in Florida?

FDEP/EPA Region IV has sponsored the following:

1) 1991 Townsend/Earle Study 2) 1997-98 FDEP H/M Waste

Reduction Project 3) 1999-2000 FDEP/SWIX H/M Waste

Reduction Survey Project 4) 2002 Green Hotel Standards Project

These projects were all co-sponsored by the Florida Hotel/Motel Association (FHMA)

Existing Green Hotel ProgramsExisting Green Hotel Programs

Green Seal CERES (Coalition for Environmentally

Responsible Economies) IHEI (Intl Hotels Environmental Initiative) CST (Certification for Sustainable Tourism) Green Hotels Association ECOTEL EPA’s WAVE and ENERGY STAR

Programs

Proposed Certification ProcessProposed Certification Process

To initiate facility will complete certification application

Two tier structure The first tier will include a basic

certification focuses on all facilities. The second tier will focus on more

stringent criteria.

Two Ways to Become CertifiedTwo Ways to Become Certified

FDEP Waste Reduction Staff can perform an assessment at no cost, or

A facility may hire a certified assessor to perform the assessment.

Initial CertificationInitial Certification

Certification good for no more than two years After the initial certification, facilities may opt to

perform self assessments to become recertified Facilities may lose certification through follow-

up assessments performed by FDEP staff. If facility loses certification because an outside

assessor did not perform the initial assessment according to department standards then that assessors licence can be revoked and the facility will be given a set amount of time to redo the initial assessment.

Benefits of Being CertifiedBenefits of Being CertifiedState employees are recommended to stay

at certified propertiesCertified facilities can advertise Facilities will be placed on Green Lodging

list and recommended to other companies and trade organizations looking for environmentally conscience hotels and convention facilities

Facilities will be showcased during department presentations and functions

Developing/Drafting Standards Developing/Drafting Standards EXERCISEEXERCISE

Divide group into teams of about 6-10 people

Assign each group to an area: air, water, energy, waste reduction/recycling, sustainability/purchasing

Ask them to brainstorm a checklist of items/procedures that would help “green” a hotel.

Developing/Drafting Standards Developing/Drafting Standards EXERCISEEXERCISEAsk each group to assign a scribe

and a speaker

Give group approximately 15 minutes

to brainstorm a list of at least 10-15

standards for their area

Group speakers will briefly present

lists to rest of audience

Next StepsNext Steps

Stakeholders Workshop

Doubletree Hotel – Gainesville

August 13 from 8am to 4pm Proposed Training Program for

Assessing/Certifying Hotels (TREEO) Marketing/Advertising Certification

Program

Q & AQ & A

Co-Presenters:

Matina Wagner & Karen Moore