PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Rhode Island recently joined the list of states that have formalized green lodging/tourism programs. Seventeen hotels in the state have earned Rhode Island Hospitality Green Certification. A total of 32 hospitality-related establishments, including 13 restaurants and the Rhode Island Convention Center, have achieved certification. Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental Management (DEM) partnered with the state’s Division of Tourism, the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Assn. and a dozen other entities to establish the certification program.
Companies get points for recycling, local purchasing, using biodegradable cleaners and detergents, food donations, eliminating the use of chemicals in landscaping, towel and linen reuse programs, amenity dispensers, water conservation, energy conservation and more. Hotels must accumulate at least 100 of the approximately 600 points to guarantee entry into the program. Those scoring less than 100 can achieve provisional certification, meaning that they agree to accumulate the remaining points within an agreed-upon time frame. There is not a mandatory audit but spot audits are part of the program.
Some of the hotels participating in the program include: the Hilton Garden Inn Providence/Warwick; Holiday Inn— South County/Newport; Hotel Viking; Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel & Spa; and the Inn on Long Wharf. Click here for a complete list of the program’s participants.
The Rhode Island Hospitality Green Certification program was officially launched last fall and the first participants were presented with their awards on Earth Day, April 22. Training sessions were offered to those hotels, restaurants and others interested in participating. Certified establishments receive a plaque to display.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
