Doubletree earns Florida's Green Lodging designation in Palm Beach Gardens

The Doubletree Hotel Palm Beach Gardens has just become an official member of the Florida Green Lodging Program. This voluntary state initiative by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provides the lodging industry with technical assistance encouraging hotels to adopt cost-saving ‘green’ practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels must implement a series of sustainable practices. These practices include, but are not limited to, water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures, a linen reuse program, and energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR(R) 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 properties must also use green cleaning supplies and high efficiency air filters.

The hotel team at the Doubletree Hotel Palm Beach Gardens continues to be conscious of the waste stream as much as possible by purchasing recycled content office supplies and paper towels, using earth friendly cleaning products, and by donating linens. During the past year, all guestroom and corridor lighting was replaced with compact fluorescent lights for energy efficiency. The hotel has also implemented an extensive recycling program, including working with a local recycling company to take used paper and convert it into new newsprint. Recycling of cans, plastic, glass, cardboard, magazines, and toner cartridges is also provided for guests and staff.

‘The Doubletree Hotel Palm Beach Gardens is truly proud to join a growing community of hotels in the Florida Green Lodging Program. We not only think about how we can create impact internally with what we’ve already instituted today, we are continuously looking for opportunities within the community to take our green lodging certification to the next level,’ said Sig Varela, hotel manager. ‘This recognition only further encourages us in a passionate quest to show our commitment to sustainability and our corporate responsibility to the environment and local community. In the new year, we’ll have a variety of exciting announcements to share our new chapter in this journey.’

Doubletree is a member of the Hilton Family of Hotels, which has committed to reducing energy consumption by 20%, Co2 emissions by 20%, output of waste by 20%, and water consumption by 10% by 2014. The company also is committed to focusing on high-impact areas, including sustainable buildings and operations, and the advancement of sustainable design and construction, operations, chemical management, purchasing, and to the advancement of renewable energy as a source of power for operations, not only to reduce its carbon footprint but to develop a viable commercial infrastructure for powering its buildings.

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.

DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives is comprised of three voluntary, non-regulatory programs that assist Florida industry and citizens in protecting the environment. The Clean Marina Program, the Florida Green Lodging Program and the Florida Pollution Prevention Program offer a variety of services including on-site assessments, consultations, speakers and workshops, all at no cost to citizens or organizations. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs is to meet the needs of the present population without compromising resources for future generations.

‘It is wonderful to see businesses like the Doubletree Hotel Palm Beach Gardens join our Florida Green Lodging Program and implement green practices such as water conservation, recycling and energy reduction. This hotel’s commitment to sustainability is not only good for business, it’s good for Florida’s environment,’ said DEP Sustainable Initiatives Director Deas Bohn.

Centrally located between Orlando and Miami/Fort Lauderdale, just 15 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport, the Doubletree Hotel Palm Beach Gardens provides a superior hotel experience in one of the most desirable destinations for business and pleasure in Florida. The full-service hotel was bought and renovated in 2006 and is now operated by Thayer Lodging Group. The Doubletree Hotel Palm Beach Gardens features 279 guestrooms, a restaurant, meeting rooms, and a new state of the art Executive Meeting Center (EMC) scheduled to open in spring 2009.

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Energy Star, Green Lodging Program, Hilton, Hotels, recycling