HOTEL/MOTEL GREEN STANDARDS & CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

1. HOTEL/MOTELGREEN STANDARDS & CERTIFICATION PROGRAM Florida Department of Environmental Protection A joint project of Waste Reduction & Pollution Prevention

2. Project 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

3. Project Stakeholders (confirmed)

4. Project 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.

5. Project Plan • Research/document what is currently being done in the lodging industry • Draft “Green Hotel” definition and standards • Solicit input from stakeholders • Report progress and make recommendations

6. 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.

7. What is a “Green Hotel?” con’t. Many of these facilities are designed and constructed with a concern for environmental quality. While other properties consist of recycled and/or renovated buildings with upgrades to conserve energy and water, minimize waste, incorporate natural landscaping, or utilize recovered building materials. Some properties also support local environmental efforts or groups and/or offer environmental education or excursions.

8. What 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.

9. Industry Perspective 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

10. Industry Perspective 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

11. 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)

12. Existing 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

13. Proposed 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.

14. Two 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.

15. Initial 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.

16. Benefits of Being Certified • State employees are recommended to stay at certified properties • Certified 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

17. Developing/Drafting Standards EXERCISE 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.

18. Developing/Drafting Standards EXERCISE Ask 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

19. Next Steps • Stakeholders Workshop Doubletree Hotel – Gainesville August 13 from 8am to 4pm • Proposed Training Program for Assessing/Certifying Hotels (TREEO) • Marketing/Advertising Certification Program

20. Q & A Co-Presenters: Matina Wagner & Karen Moore