Description: Launched in 2004, the Florida Green LodgingProgram is a voluntary initiative of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that designates and recognizes lodging facilities that make a commitment to conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources. The program’s environmental guidelines allow the hospitality industry to evaluate its operations, set goals and take specific actions to continuously improve environmental performance. The Florida Green LodgingProgram is administered primarily online. To become designated, facilities must conduct a thorough property assessment and implement a specified number of environmental practices in five areas of sustainable operations: Communication and Education (Customers, Employees, Public) Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling Water Conservation Energy Efficiency Indoor Air QualityThe Florida Green LodgingProgram benefits not only the environment but also helps designated properties save moneyand increase occupancy rates. By reducing water and energy use and reducing waste generation operating costs go down. Business is generated for state meetings and conferences through HB 7135 which gives preference to designated Florida Green Lodgingproperties. Designated properties also receive marketingand technical assistancebenefits through the Florida Green LodgingWeb site, where each designated property is featured and 24/7 Web access is available to Best Management Practices and Technical Assistance.The Florida Green Lodging Program map and GeoForm were created to be able to accurately locate all designated green lodges within the state, provide the ability to associate these properties with their Palm Rating, and provide a centralized location to link Environmental Performance Data to each designated property. This tool will also be able to quickly provide data that is required for EPA Grant Reporting. Additionally, recording data in this manner will further standardized the Environmental Performance Data collection process, and the information will readily be available to the public through the map. All applications submitted to the Florida Green Lodging Program will be monitored and entered into the ArcGIS GeoForm. Data can be made available in an Excel format in addition to the map. All data entered will undergo rigorous QA/QC protocol for data consistency and mapping accuracy.
Copyright Text: FDEP Office of Sustainable Initiatives