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A new green hotels program comes to the South

Joe Ascanio — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:11:50 +0000

The State of South Carolina has just launched a new certification program for the hospitality industry called the South Carolina Green Hospitality Alliance. The program is aimed mainly at hotels, motels and restaurants; providing a means for establishments to boost awareness by demonstrating what they are doing to help protect and preserve the state’s environment.

The program is a joint effort between the state Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and South Carolina Hospitality Association.

“Each of us—government, business, industry and individuals—must do our part to help protect South Carolina’s environment,” said DHEC Commissioner Earl Hunter. “This program presents a unique opportunity for the hospitality industry to lead by example through the use of smart, sustainable, cost-effective practices that help conserve natural resources, save energy and reduce pollution.”

The South Carolina Green Hospitality Alliance is a free, voluntary program designed to help the hospitality industry reduce the environmental impact of its operations while recognizing and certifying facilities for environmentally friendly efforts with an annual certification.

According to Hunter, DHEC’s role in the partnership is to offer free, confidential assistance on a variety of issues such as waste reduction, recycling, composting, conserving energy and water, green cleaning, and environmentally preferred purchasing. DHEC’s assistance also includes site visits, workshops and a comprehensive series of best management practices fact sheets.

Tom Sponseller, president of the South Carolina Hospitality Assn., says that those hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars that participate in the Green Hospitality Alliance have all the tools available to help improve their environmental footprint, but also have a website to let consumers be aware of their efforts to sustain the environment.

“More consumers are looking to support businesses that exercise sustainable business practices to help protect our environment, and the Green Hospitality Alliance was designed to not only encourage hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars to be more earth friendly, but to let the consuming public be aware of those businesses that actually engage in green practices.”

The South Carolina Hospitality Association reviews all certification applications and rates facilities—from One Palmetto Tree to Three Palmetto Trees—based on a facility’s green practices. Already, 18 hotels, resorts and restaurants have been certified in the Alliance, two of which earned Two Palmetto certification.

For more information, visit www.GreenHospitalityAlliance.com.

ResortQuest offers savings at the First Annual Charleston Green Fair

admin — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:31:02 +0000

The largest Green Event in South Carolina will occur in Charleston on September 28, 2008 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Marion Square, the popular greenspace in historic downtown Charleston, will be the site of the Charleston 2008 Green Fair, showcasing eco-friendly products, services and technologies in an environmentally responsible way. Entry is free, with live music and fun interactive activities planned for all ages. Local restaurants will showcase tasty sustainable food (taking into account environmental, health and social concerns) and tickets for the Wine and Beer Garden will be sold on site.

The purpose of the Charleston Green Fair is to create excitement and enthusiasm for green products, services and technologies using an environmentally responsible forum of education and entertainment. Attendees will see demonstrations on alternative energy, find out about growing green initiatives and talk with citizens and business owners who are making strides in the field. The public is encouraged to bring small electronics (smaller than a toaster) to be recycled at the event. The goal is to demonstrate a waste free, environmentally responsible large event that supports local businesses and non-profit organizations promoting green initiatives. For example, food vendors must use 100% biodegradable and eco-friendly disposable serviceware instead of traditional plastic and Styrofoam, since these items can be composted, rather than put into a landfill.

ResortQuest is offering visitors to Kiawah Island (http://www.resortquestkiawah.com ), Seabrook Island (http://www.resortquestseabrook.com ), Isle of Palms (http://www.resortquestisleofpalms.com ) and Wild Dunes exciting and exclusive ways to save, all while staying in fully-equipped private homes, villas and cottages. The area offers miles of pristine beach, championship golf, tennis, biking, nature tours, shopping, dining, water-related activities and more. A program called ResortQuest Privileges offers special rates and discounts on activities, tours, dining, and shopping from area venues. Historic downtown Charleston is just a short drive away from the beaches. Call 1-866-253-3633 to find out about special discounts on lodging.

For more information about the Green Fair, visit charlestongreenfair.com .

About ResortQuest
ResortQuest , one of the nation’s leading vacation rental and resort real estate companies, provides a one-stop resource in North America’s premier resort destinations. ResortQuest Charleston is the largest vacation rental company serving Charleston and the beach resort islands of Kiawah, Seabrook, Isle of Palms, Wild Dunes and Sullivan’s Island. ResortQuest has offices located on Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island and Isle of Palms, South Carolina.