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All Nine White Lodging Florida Hotels Receive Florida 'Green Lodging' Program Designation

Posted on: Tuesday, 14 July 2009, 16:11 CDT

MERRILLVILLE, Ind., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) welcomed all nine of the White Lodging Florida properties to the Florida Green Lodging Program earlier this week. 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.

"It is wonderful to see businesses implement green practices such as water conservation, recycling and energy reduction because they are not only good for business, they are good for Florida's environment," said DEP Sustainable Initiatives Director, Deas Bohn.

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 and towel reuse program, and energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR(R) 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 program encourages hotels to think about new ways to manage their facility and identify ways to reduce their environmental impact.

The White Lodging Florida portfolio consists of the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Key West, Residence Inn and Courtyard in Miramar, Residence Inn and Renaissance in Plantation, and the Homewood Suites, Embassy Suites, Courtyard and Fairfield Inn & Suites in Tampa/Brandon.

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. For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.

White Lodging was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Merrillville, IN. White Lodging Services is a fully integrated hotel ownership, development, and operating company - a recognized leader that has defined and cultivated the ability to achieve consistent, sustainable growth among mid-to large-scale hotels across the country. Their current portfolio of 142 hotels in seventeen states encompasses representation of the following leading brands: Marriott; Residence Inn by Marriott; Courtyard by Marriott; Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott; SpringHill Suites by Marriott; Renaissance; Radisson Hotels; Choice Hotels; Intercontinental Hotel Group; Hyatt; and Hilton. For more information, visit www.whitelodging.com.

SOURCE White Lodging

Source: PR Newswire

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