PHOENIX (September 12, 2018) – The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association (AzLTA) are launching a comprehensive update to the Certified Green Lodging program during Pollution Prevention (P2) Week, Sept. 17 – 21, 2018. Through the program, hotels, resorts, bed & breakfasts and more can reduce their impact on the environment, while also increasing their ability to attract the growing number of environmentally-friendly travelers.
The Certified Green Lodging program raises awareness and provides a process to develop strategies and ideas for AzLTA members to reduce waste and conserve water and energy. Starting with a new checklist approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), they can implement conservation and sustainability techniques to reach various levels of certification. By accessing an online database, members can chart their progress, get valuable feedback and explore budget-friendly environmental solutions.
AzLTA Certified Green Lodging Program | View >
Hotel Congress in downtown Tucson has been practicing sustainability and conservation for well over a decade and will kick off the updated Certified Green Lodging program on Wednesday, September 19 in a webinar hosted by ADEQ and AzLTA. By installing eco-friendly technology, the hotel has saved over $1.5 million gallons of water since 2007. Plus, they were the first member in Tucson to join One Less Straw, a non-profit dedicated to reducing the use of plastic straws worldwide, eliminating about 7000 straws per week from going to the landfill.
“As a locally-owned hotel with owners and employees active in the community, it’s important to us that we do our part to protect the natural environment. Plus, we want to show other hotels how these efforts can benefit their business,” said Rita Dorsey Boutwell, Director of Training & Development at Hotel Congress. “By first reducing usage in some areas and creating a sustainability spending account with the savings, we can apply the funds to larger capital projects, which will save even more money over time and continue to reduce our impact on the environment.”
The webinar will take place Wednesday, September 19 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Additional speakers include representatives from AzLTA and ADEQ.
Webinar Information | View >
The Students for Sustainable Lodging Project is coordinated within the guidelines of the ADEQ Pollution Prevention Program funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Additional Resources
ADEQ P2 Planning Program | View >
ADEQ Recycling Toolkit | View >
Contact
ADEQ Public Information Officer | 602-771-2215 (office) | 602-540-8072 (cell) | E-mail >