VERO BEACH, FLA.—Kimpton’s oceanfront Vero Beach Hotel & Spa announced its receipt of the Environmental Certification-Silver by Green Seal (GS-33), a nonprofit organization that uses science-based standards to measure sustainability. Located on South Florida’s Treasure Coast, the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa is the first of only two hotel properties in Florida to be certified Silver by Green Seal. An endeavor that required an extensive time commitment and many operational changes on behalf of the hotel, the Silver level certification is the second among three levels of environmental achievement recognized by the GS-33 standard and signifies that a property meets a comprehensive level of required leadership operations.
The hotel was awarded the GS-33 Green Seal certification for consistently demonstrating sustainable practices in the following areas:
• Waste minimization, reuse and recycling;
• Energy efficiency, conservation and management;
• Management of fresh water resources;
• Waste water management;
• Hazardous substances; and
• Environmentally sensitive purchasing.
In addition to adopting eco-friendly practices and services into the hotel’s daily operations department-wide, the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa has organized an Earthcare Committee which will be responsible for maintaining the hotel’s environmentally friendly status. Made up of members from each of the hotel’s departments, the committee will meet monthly to discuss best practices, work and improve upon already existing programs, as well as initiate new ones. Additional eco-sound practices upheld at the hotel include: complimentary parking for hybrid vehicles, donating unfinished toiletries such as hair products and body lotions to the local Homeless Family Center, cleaning guestrooms and linens with eco-certified cleaning supplies and providing in-room recycling bins that make guestroom recycling both convenient and stylish.
Honored to be Recognized
“We are honored to be recognized by Green Seal for our environmentally-friendly initiatives,” said Marco Scherer, general manager at Kimpton’s Vero Beach Hotel & Spa. “Green Seal is a trusted organization, and we share their active approach of bettering the world in which we live through everyday sustainable practices and environmental responsibility.”
The Green Seal Environmental Standard for Lodging Properties, GS-33, focuses on waste minimization, energy conservation and management, management of fresh water resources, waste water management, pollution prevention, and organizational commitment such as environmentally sensitive purchasing. The standard can serve as a tool to help operations begin to take action to improve their operation and is available for Green Seal certification.
Representing one of the last unspoiled beach towns on South Florida’s Treasure Coast and boasting a thriving ecotourism industry, Vero Beach is one of Florida’s best kept “green” secrets. In addition to its area attractions made up of sea turtles, kayak adventures and nature preserves, the barrier island’s environmental highlights include the Environmental Learning Center, Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge (the nation’s first wildlife refuge), and nearby McKee Botanical Garden.
Go to the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa.
