April 15, 2008 - Holiday InnTroy has earned Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) Partner 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 jobs related to Michigan's hospitality industry."

Holiday InnTroy implemented several environmental initiatives such as installing low flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets. The facility uses safe paints, detergents, and cleaning products and has a comprehensive recycling program which includes specifying the purchase of post consumer recycled content paper supplies. Recently, the hotel completed an energy audit that will help identify other ways to cost effectively reduce energy consumption.

"We are proud to be a part of a growing list of hospitality professionals in Michigan that are ‘green,'" said Brett Leiteritz, food and beverage director of the Holiday Inn─Troy. "One of the most rewarding aspects of our hotel going ‘green' is the opportunity we have to make our guests aware of the ways they can help the environment when they travel. Our facility's environmental program also unites our staff, guests, and suppliers with the common goal of creating a culture of environmental awareness."

Green Lodging Michigan 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.

"Green Lodging Michigan 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.

Green Lodging Michigan 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.

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