November 05, 2008 - Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, located in Kalamazoo, 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 Energy Office Director R. Thomas Martin. "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."
Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites has implemented several environmental initiatives at their facility. They have a linen and towel reuse program as well as low flow fixtures to conserve water. They also have a comprehensive waste management program including recycling, avoiding single use items, and purchasing post consumer recycled products. Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites is also in the process of conducting an energy audit on the property to help discover ways to improve energy efficiency and cut utility costs.
"Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites has really embraced the ‘green' movement and we are proud to be the first property in Kalamazoo to be certified under the Michigan Green Lodging program," said John R. Grabowski, chief engineer at the Radisson. "In the next few years we look forward to expanding our efforts and help other properties around Kalamazoo in their efforts to protect our limited natural resources."
Other "green" accomplishments and ongoing initiatives of the Radisson include: reduced water usage slightly below 782,000 gallons; reduced electricity usage slightly below 504,000 Kwh; reduced waste pickups by 50 percent through an unprecedented recycling effort of paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and tin; partnered with a local company to use only No-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paint to improve air quality and avoid adversely affecting guests when repainting; implemented an extensive bulb and ballast recycling effort to properly dispose of all mercury containing electric bulbs; became the first hotel in Kalamazoo to go completely smoke free throughout the hotel; donates buffet items daily to local homeless shelters; recycles all used cooking oil from its restaurants and catering.
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.
Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.
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