The Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa became the first Collier County lodge to scoop Two Palm award for energy saving.
Launched in 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program 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.
To become designated, facilities must conduct a thorough property assessment and implement a specified number of environmental practices in six areas of sustainable operations:
- Communication and Education (Customers, Employees, Public)
- Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling
- Water Conservation
- Energy Efficiency
- Indoor Air Quality
- Transportation
The Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa was recognized by the state's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for its efforts to promote environmental friendly practices at the hotel.
Laura Comer, sustainability initiatives coordinator for the DEP’s south district, presented the award to the Marco Hilton’s general manager, Mac Chaudhry in a ceremony at the resort in April 2009.
“It’s a great accomplishment for the Hilton to be the first in Collier County, and one of only a handful in the entire state, to earn this certification,” Comer said.
To earn the initial One Palm certification in the Green Lodgings program, hotels must implement a variety of green practices in the areas of energy and water conservation, waste reduction, indoor air quality, and environmental education.
To advance to Two Palm status, hotels must implement additional best management practices for an entire year, and provide the supporting data to back them up.
The Hilton staff and management made numerous changes to become more environmentally friendly and earn the Two Palms certification.
They redid the landscaping, using Zoysia turfgrass to reduce water needs, and planted Green Island ficus, which is drought-tolerant, pest- and disease-free. They also saved water by using automatic urinals in public restrooms.
The Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa became the first Collier County lodge to scoop Two Palm award for energy saving.
Launched in 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program 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.
To become designated, facilities must conduct a thorough property assessment and implement a specified number of environmental practices in six areas of sustainable operations:
- Communication and Education (Customers, Employees, Public)
- Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling
- Water Conservation
- Energy Efficiency
- Indoor Air Quality
- Transportation
The Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa was recognized by the state's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for its efforts to promote environmental friendly practices at the hotel.
Laura Comer, sustainability initiatives coordinator for the DEP’s south district, presented the award to the Marco Hilton’s general manager, Mac Chaudhry in a ceremony at the resort in April 2009.
“It’s a great accomplishment for the Hilton to be the first in Collier County, and one of only a handful in the entire state, to earn this certification,” Comer said.
To earn the initial One Palm certification in the Green Lodgings program, hotels must implement a variety of green practices in the areas of energy and water conservation, waste reduction, indoor air quality, and environmental education.
To advance to Two Palm status, hotels must implement additional best management practices for an entire year, and provide the supporting data to back them up.
The Hilton staff and management made numerous changes to become more environmentally friendly and earn the Two Palms certification.
They redid the landscaping, using Zoysia turfgrass to reduce water needs, and planted Green Island ficus, which is drought-tolerant, pest- and disease-free. They also saved water by using automatic urinals in public restrooms.