-Environmentally friendly hotel conserves resources, saves money and attracts customers-
ORLANDO – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) welcomes The Villas of Grand Cypress to the Florida Green Lodging 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.
“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. New practices implemented by The Villas of Grand Cypress include, but are not limited to, water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures, a linen reuse program, and energy efficiency achieved by installing programmable thermostats. In addition, the resort implemented new programs to reduce waste at the resort by providing new opportunity for guests and employees to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing recycled materials, and by recycling ink and toner cartridges. The resort also made a change to new product lines of green cleaners and high efficiency air filters.
“We are proud to have achieved this designation from the state. Minimizing our impact on the environment is equally important to our company, our staff, and to the guests that stay with us,” said Director of Rooms Jeff Yost, who spearheaded the green efforts at the resort.
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.
The Villas of Grand Cypress is owned and operated by Grand Cypress Florida, LP and also includes the Grand Cypress Golf Club, and Grand Cypress Academy of Golf. The Villas of Grand Cypress is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts (www.preferredhotels.com), a global brand of over 140 of the world's finest and most distinctive independently owned luxury hotels and resorts. More information can be found on-line at www.grandcypress.com or by calling 800-835-7377.
###
|
