World Awareness Wednesday: Green Lodging and Disney

 
"Tomorrow will be better for as long as America keeps alive the ideals of freedom and a better life." —Walt Disney

"Nature" at Disney's green resort Fort Wilderness

In 1948, Walt Disney launched his True Life Adventure Documentaries Showing that he was keenly aware of the need for environmental respect long before the hordes of society decided that green was popular.  In fact, prior to Disney World being built, plans were in place to leave some areas as conservation spaces.

So it is no surprise that a Disney Resort Hotel was the first lodging to earn the Florida Green Lodging certification.  Disney’s Boardwalk Resort was the pioneer hotel in Florida to receive this prestigious honor in 2004.  As of 2008, all Disney Resort hotels, including Vero Beach Resort, have earned their place in the list of Florida’s Green lodging as deemed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

It does not stop in Florida, however.  Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort is considered Green and sustainable, and the new Aulani Resort on Hawaii’s island of Oahu is gearing up to be quite green.  Already, they are hiring locals and respecting Hawaiian culture, while using sustainable building materials.

Environmental respect is something we can all get onboard for.  Here is a short list of what it takes to become Florida certified.  How many of these can you implement in your own home?

•   Environmentally friendly cleaning products are used

•   Bed linens changed only upon guest requests (part of water/energy conservation effects)

•   Towels replaced only upon request allowing guests the option to re-use existing towels

•   In room recycling available for guests

•   Recycling of paper, cardboard, plastic and aluminum

•   Recycle print cartridges

•   All registration on arrival is paperless

•   White copy/printing paper is minimum 30% post consumer content

•   Colored copy/printing paper is minimum 30% post consumer content

•   Lighting/computer equipment in all areas turned off when not in use

•   Computer monitors programmed to turn off after a period of inactivity

•   Audio Visual equipment turned off daily and when not in use

•   Recycled room key

•   Use of post consumer content for office supplies

•   Use e-mail instead of paper for communication and documentation

•   All administrative areas recycle

•   All public areas option for guest participation in recycling

•   Mandatory reports are reduced to as needed: old reports are reused and recycled

•   Recycling programs for light bulbs and batteries are in place

•   Non-smoking facility

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Xoxo, Ami

Green lodging designation program

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging/