July 17, 2008 - Water Street Inn, located in Boyne City, 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 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."
Holiday Vacation Rentals, which manages the facility, has implemented several environmental initiatives at the Water Street Inn. They use energy efficient lighting, green cleaning products, and have a linen and towel reuse program. Water Street Inn has also completed an energy audit on the property to help discover ways of improving energy efficiency and cut utility costs.
"We're very excited to earn this certification and firmly believe that as a lodging facility we can make a positive environmental impact, especially in the local watershed," said Jessica Dotzlaf, director of guest services. Holiday Vacation Rentals owner Alan Hammond emphasized that the commitment to making environmentally responsible choices is strong at the Water Street Inn as well as other properties managed by the company.
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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