January 24, 2008 - The Betsie Bay Inn, located in Frankfort has earned Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) Steward certification from the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) encourages hotels, resorts, motels, and bed & breakfast facilities to implement environmental initiatives and cost-saving ‘green' practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality, reduce waste, and participate in environmentally preferred purchasing.

"This accreditation is the mark of environmental responsibility of hoteliers who are committed to ‘green' business practices that make environmental and economic goals their top priority," said DLEG Director Keith W. Cooley. "Green Lodging Michigan is also helping to ensure the viability of our lodging facilities and the thousands of related hospitality jobs that stay in Michigan."

The Betsie Bay Inn has implemented several environmental initiatives such as offering a towel and linen reuse program, using safe cleaning products, detergents and paints, and using Energy Star lighting and equipment. The Betsie Bay Inn also has a comprehensive recycling program for guests and staff and specifies that paper purchases are made from 30 percent (or greater) post consumer recycled material.

"Going green in a balanced way is just a matter of common sense," said Lesley Perkins, owner and general manager of the Betsie Bay Inn. "'Waste not, want not' was a common saying I learned as a child that I still believe in today. The Betsie Bay Inn has saved money, time and energy by putting our program in place," she said.

GLM is a joint effort between DLEG and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to encourage the lodging industry to conserve and protect the state's natural resources while increasing marketability and lowering utility costs.

"GLM has been an effective way of including hoteliers in the effort to help Michigan continue as the leader in environmental beauty and abundant natural resources," said Steven E. Chester, director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

GLM is a voluntary and non-regulatory certification program offered through the Michigan Energy Office in DLEG to hoteliers at no charge. The Michigan Energy Office and the DEQ provide technical assistance to those who are interested in implementing "green" strategies and earning certification. The GLM program certifies facilities based on environmental initiatives such as air quality, energy efficiency, solid waste reduction, toxic waste management, water conservation, purchasing and communication. There are three levels of certification: Partner, Steward, and Leader, which can be earned by completing a self-assessment checklist and achieving a minimum number of requirements and points.

The Michigan Energy Office promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy resource development to Michigan's residents, businesses, and public institutions. For more information about the Green Lodging Michigan program and to download the GLM application packet and self-assessment checklist, visit the website at www.michigan.gov/greenlodging.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.