Florida Hotel Earns "Three Palms"

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Lodging Program noted a milestone in October, designating its first “Three Palm” property. The Three Palm designation is the highest achievement under the DEP program that recognizes continuing and increased energy conservation and pollution prevention measures. The hotel property earning the Three Palm designation is the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs.

The Florida DEP oversees the state's Green Lodging Program.
The Florida DEP oversees the state's Green Lodging Program.

The Green Lodging Program is a voluntary state initiative that provides the lodging industry with free technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving green practices that reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and improve the bottom line.

“We applaud the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point for their efforts to help protect Florida’s natural resources by adopting measures that reduce waste, and conserve water and energy,” said DEP director of sustainable initiatives Deas Bohn. “The Hyatt is a pioneer in the green movement and is setting a valuable example for other lodging facilities to become environmental stewards and achieve the highest level of green.”

To receive the Three Palm designation, hotels must have maintained Two Palm designation and demonstrated continual improvement for three consecutive years. A facility must continue to maintain or improve on their commitment to environmental protection in order to maintain the Florida Green Lodging program Three Palm designation.

The hotel received One Palm designation in 2004 and Two Palm designation in 2006. Overall the property has achieved a 33% percent reduction in water usage, 6% reduction in energy consumption, and a 12% waste reduction. These reductions were achieved in a variety of ways, such as removing phone books from guest rooms, implementing a paperless purchase order system and paperless guest check in, replacing disposable cups with plastic cups, changing all garage lighting to compact fluorescent lighting, and implementing recycling in the employee cafeteria. In addition the property has taken strides to improve its indoor air quality by using Ecolab Bio-friendly cleaning products for housekeeping.