January 14, 2010 - MGM Grand Detroit has earned Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) Leader certification from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG).
Green Lodging Michigan 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 DELEG Director Stanley "Skip" Pruss. "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."
MGM Grand Detroit has implemented both conventional and innovative environmental initiatives at its resort, led by a "green team" of 19 staff members called "Green Extreme". Among its initiatives, the property has a linen and towel re-use program and low-flow fixtures to conserve water. The staff reduces food and grease waste through recycling, avoids single-serve packaging, and has its own butcher shop and "cold foods kitchen" on site to reduce trucking volumes. MGM Grand Detroit uses green cleaning products to improve indoor air quality, and scrap, paper, cardboard, batteries, light bulbs and even cellular phones are recycled. The resort also uses occupancy sensors to control guest room lighting and HVAC systems, and LED lighting is installed throughout the property.
"We are constantly evaluating and re-evaluating our operations to determine how we can be more environmentally responsible, and the GLM Leader certification reflects the time and dedication that our staff puts into this effort," said Lorenzo Creighton, president and chief operating officer of MGM Grand Detroit. "We are very pleased that the State of Michigan has recognized our steadfast commitment to green practices."
Green Lodging Michigan is a joint effort between DELEG 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 Bureau of Energy Systems in DELEG to hoteliers at no charge. The Bureau of Energy Systems 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 Bureau of Energy Systems 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.
For more information about DELEG, please visit www.michigan.gov/deleg. Follow DELEG at http://twitter.com/MIDELEG or visit the "DELEG" page on Facebook and Become a Fan.
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