PRESS RELEASE: May 21, 2015
DEP AWARDS THE GREEN
LODGING PROGRAM'S FIRST FOUR PALM DESIGNATION
~Environmentally friendly
hotel conserves resources, saves money and attracts customers~
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Florida
Department of Environmental Protection yesterday awarded the Hyatt
Regency Coral Gables the Florida Green Lodging Program's Four Palm
Designation for its remarkable conservation efforts. The hotel is the first in the program's 11-year history to receive a Four Palm Designation, the
highest level possible.
“We are excited to award the first Four Palm Designation in
the history of the Green Lodging Program to the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables,”
DEP Office of Environmental Education and Sustainable Initiatives Director Greg
Ira said. “Achieving the Four Palm Designation reflects an outstanding commitment
to excellence and sustainability.”
To become a designated member of
the Florida Green Lodging Program,
hotels must conduct a thorough property assessment and implement a specified
number of environmental practices in five areas of sustainable operations:
Communication and Education; Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling; Water
Conservation; Energy Efficiency; and Indoor Air Quality. This program provides
the lodging industry with free technical assistance, encouraging hotels and
motels to adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve
natural resources.
In addition to many environmentally friendly practices, the
Hyatt Regency Coral Gables is actively involved with the ‘Clean The World’
initiative in which they recycled more than 16,000 pounds of used soap,
shampoo, lotion and conditioner in 2014. They also recycle approximately 350
gallons of used cooking oil each month.
“We are honored to be the
first member of the Florida Green Lodging Program to
achieve the Four Palm designation in Florida," said Fred
Hoffmann, general manager Hyatt Regency Coral Gables. "Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has set clear
goals for 2020 to reduce 20 percent of our energy and water consumption; the
Hyatt Regency Coral Gables is doing our part on achieving this goal. Thanks to our Green team members we have now
achieved the Four Palm Designation and we are going to continue our efforts with
sustainable Initiatives.”
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