Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown St. Petersburg Receives Florida Green Lodging Program Designation

Jan. 9, 2008 - PRLog -- ST. PETERSBURG – The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today welcomed the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown St. Petersburg to the Florida Green Lodging Program. The Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown St. Petersburg is the 72nd in the state to be designated. The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.
“The Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown St. Petersburg has proven its commitment to Florida’s environment by becoming a member of the Florida Green Lodging Program,” said DEP Southwest District Director Deborah Getzoff. “Program participants are helping conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources for its millions of residents and visitors.”
To be designated a 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 and a linen reuse program, and energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR® 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 members of the Florida Green Lodging Program must also use green cleaners and high efficiency air filters, and clean air handler units frequently.
"The Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown St. Petersburg is proud to join in the effort towards protecting our natural resources,” said hotel General Manager Karl Johansson.  “We will continue to look for new ways to protect the environment, thereby ensuring the natural beauty of our city and region for generations to come.”

On July 13, at his Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, 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 Florida Green Lodging Program designation as of January 1, 2008, whenever possible. The Summit was a bold first step to explore groundbreaking technologies and strategies that will place our state at the forefront of the growing world-wide movement to reduce greenhouse gases.
Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. As reward for designation, Florida is recommending designated facilities to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging and convention facilities. With the addition of Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown St. Petersburg, the program has designated 72 hotels and has more than 240 applicants.
For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.

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