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."

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa has implemented many environmental initiatives at their facility. They offer a linen and towel reuse program to guests enjoying extended stays and also have a comprehensive recycling program available to both guests and staff. Grand Traverse Resort & Spa also recently had an on-site energy audit conducted to help discover ways to improve energy efficiency and cut utility use.

The Golf & Grounds Department has been at the forefront of the Resort's environmental efforts. In 2006, the Resort was certified as a Steward by the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program in recognition of many environmentally-sound maintenance practices throughout the Resort's golf courses and grounds, and last year, the Resort's Golf & Grounds Department retrofit several pieces of diesel maintenance equipment with catalytic converters, an innovation in the business.

Commenting on the importance eco-friendly operations, Grant Channing, executive vice president and general manager of the 600-room, 900-acre resort said, "We understand the impact that a facility of our size can have on the environment, and the need to minimize that impact for the good of our guests, our employees and our community.

"Every employee is aware of the importance of reducing, reusing, recycling, and conserving. Those practices have become standard operating procedure resort-wide. We truly appreciate recognition of our efforts by Green Lodging Michigan, but that is not an end, only a step along the way," he said.

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.