Green Lodging Resources

The following resources are provided to assist lodging facilities seeking Florida Green Lodging designation. In addition, these resources facilitate and encourage continuous environmental improvement for designated Green Lodging properties.

• Green Meeting Guide - Meeting planner's guide to going green. Includes tips and best management practices.
• Best Management Practices - Complete listing of the best management practices for the five areas of sustainability.
• Florida Green Lodging Program Handbook - Coordinated effort between Orange County, the EPA and DEP's Florida Green Lodging Program, a handbook was created to provide an overview of the program and the benefits of being designated.
• Glossary of Terms - Glossary of terms related to the Florida Green Lodging Program, including some common and uncommonly known words such as Albed, Carbon Neutral and Photovoltaic.
• Guidelines for Condo Hotel Participation in the Program.

Technical

• International Organization for Standardization ISO 9000 - 14000 - Among ISO's most widely known and successful standards, ISO 9000 has become an international reference for quality requirements in business-to-business dealings, and ISO 14000 provides guidance to systematize and improve environmental management efforts.
• Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) - Procurement tool to help institutional purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare and select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes.
• Green Lodging Calculator - The Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA) developed the Green Lodging Calculator to help lodging facilities and sustainable hospitality programs estimate the financial and environmental benefits from sustainable practices.
• Green Seal - Independent nonprofit organization promoting the manufacture, purchase and use of environmentally responsible products and services.
• Project Planet - Provides environmental linens and towel re-use programs in the hospitality industry. This program can be used by any hotel brand.
• EPA Safer Choice Program - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program that helps consumers, businesses and institutional buyers identify cleaning and other products that are safer for people and the environment and work well.

Lodging and Tourism Industry

• Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association - Statewide organization of Florida restaurants and hotels.
• The Green Hotels Association - Provides information and resources to support ecological consciousness in the hospitality industry.
• International Tourism Partnership - Membership organization of companies from the travel and tourism industry. The goal is to provide the hotel, travel and tourism industry with the knowledge and ability to develop practical solutions for more responsible business.

General

• Planeta.com - Practical guide to ecotourism around the world, geared toward the environmentally conscious traveler.
• Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES) - Pronounced "series," a national network of investors, environmental organizations and other public interest groups working with companies and investors to address sustainability challenges.