June 30, 2009 - Holiday Inn West, located in Kalamazoo, has earned Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) Steward certification from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG), moving up from the Partner level. Holiday Inn West was originally certified in November 2008.
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. 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 more environmental initiatives a facility is doing, the higher the level of certification the facility can potentially achieve.
"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 helping to ensure the viability of our lodging facilities and the thousands of related hospitality jobs that stay in Michigan.
Holiday Inn West's commitment to preserving Michigan's environment is exemplary; becoming ‘greener' serves as a true model for the hospitality industry to follow." Holiday Inn West has implemented additional environmental initiatives that earned the conference center higher accreditation such as attending an industry workshop on environmental issues, and starting a linen and towel reuse program where guests enjoying extended stays can choose to use their towels and linens for more than one day, thus reducing energy, water and chemical consumption.
"We are very excited to receive the Steward certification with DELEG," said Brad Schmitz, general manager of Holiday Inn West. "Our entire staff has embraced our green initiatives with enthusiasm and the positive feedback from our guests has also helped to reinforce our efforts."
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 Michigan Energy Office 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.
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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