HOLLYWOOD, FLA.—The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., has been awarded the Florida Green Lodging Program One Palm designation from The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with free technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving green practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is the first hotel/casino in the State of Florida to earn this distinction. This designation directly supports Hard Rock International’s “Save the Planet” global philanthropic initiative to make the Earth a safer, healthier and better place to live.
“It’s both an honor and privilege to be recognized for our greening efforts,” said Christian Mari, vice president of operations at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. “This is a company-wide initiative that our employees have worked diligently to achieve. Recycling, conserving resources and ongoing environmental education are very important ways that we are giving back to the community in which we live. We look forward to these and future conservation efforts to ensure an abundant and lush environment for generations to come.”
“It is wonderful to see businesses implement green practices such as water conservation, recycling and energy reduction because they are not only good for business, they are good for Florida’s environment,” said Deas Bohn, DEP Sustainable Initiatives director.
Numerous Certification Requirements
To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels must implement a variety of green practices. These practices include, but are not limited to, water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures, a linen reuse program, and energy efficiency achieved by installing Energy Star appliances and programmable thermostats. The waste reduction criteria are met by providing the opportunity to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing recycled materials and by recycling ink and toner cartridges. All designated properties must also use green cleaners and high-efficiency air filters.
At Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, a back-of-house recycling program has been established to recycle all glass, tin, aluminum, plastic, paper and warehouse pallets. Recycling bins are placed in various locations from the kitchens to the offices and employees are encouraged to dispose of items in the appropriate recycling receptacles. Items presently being recycled include outdated computers, monitors and components, cell phones, toner cartridges, printer cartridges, cardboard, pallets, cooking oil, light bulbs, batteries, tires and old paint.
Several product changes and energy conservation measures have been implemented. The casino has switched to toilet paper with recycled content, paper towels and facial tissues. Energy saving LED and compact fluorescent bulbs have been installed throughout the property. Solar panels are being utilized for recharging ground equipment. A transition to using green chemicals for cleaning purposes has also begun.
Steps Taken to Conserve Water
To save water, auto flush valves have been installed throughout the property along with low flow toilets, faucets and showerheads. The hotel is using retention pond water for irrigation and fire protection and frozen products are being defrosted in ice baths instead of running water.
At the Council Oak Steaks & Seafood restaurant, a new water program has been implemented. Instead of buying bottled water, Seminole Hard Rock purchased a professional grade water filtration system (the same technology utilized by big bottling companies). Along with the filtration system, glass water bottles have been purchased that can be reused after cleaning.
In order to encourage the thousands of employees at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to participate in these efforts, a “Green Updates Board” has been established in back-of-house employee areas. In addition, a green initiatives-related story is disseminated in the weekly employee newsletter and a “Green Tip of the Day” is distributed to employees reminding them of how they can help Hard Rock “Save the Planet.”
Go to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
