June 25, 2009 - The JW Marriott Grand Rapids has earned Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) Leader certification from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG).
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 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."
The JW Marriott Grand Rapids 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 reduce waste through recycling, encouraging vendors to reduce packaging, and avoiding single use items. The JW Marriott has also taken steps to improve energy efficiency such as: installing Energy Star lights and equipment and a computerized energy management system to control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning throughout the building.
"In our continuing efforts to reduce environmental impact, the hotel has initiated a Spurt Program which is a recycling program sorting reclaimable food or waste products," said Bob Mitchell, director of engineering at the hotel. "Waste includes food, coffee grounds, paper products from lunch areas and the kitchen. These products are ground up to be used as compost rather than being sent to the landfill. The hotel is also installing humidification units which will help the indoor air quality and help reduce the amount of natural gas used since humidified air feels warmer at lower temperature settings."
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.
Read more releases from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth
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