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PALM BEACH –
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today recognized The Breakers as the Southeast District’s
first property to receive the Florida Green Lodging Program Two Palm designation. The Two Palm designation recognizes
continuing and increased energy conservation and pollution prevention measures since the property’s One Palm designation
in 2006. The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with technical assistance, encouraging hotels and
motels to adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.
“We are pleased to welcome The Breakers into the elite group of Two Palm facilities, and as the Southeast District’s
first Two Palm Green Lodging facility,” said DEP Southeast District Director Jack Long. “The resort’s conservation
achievements serve as an excellent example to other lodging facilities in Florida’s
Green Lodging Program.”
To receive the Two Palm designation, hotels must maintain the green practices established during One Palm designation
for at least 12 consecutive months. Properties conduct an environmental baseline assessment and demonstrate a reduction
in energy and water consumption as well as waste disposal. In addition, facilities must develop and implement
performance improvement goals and evaluate their progress. The highest level of designation is the Three Palm
designation, which occurs after a property has maintained Two Palm status and demonstrated continual improvement
for three consecutive years.
“The Breakers’ eco-friendly culture emphasizes that a luxury resort can be environmentally conscious and, at the
same time, positively influence the guest experience,” said Paul N. Leone, President and Chief Operating Officer
of The Breakers. “Respect for the environment has long been a guiding principle of The Breakers business practices.
We are proud to be recognized by the DEP for our efforts and look forward to continuing our successful partnership
in this voluntary state initiative.”
Since its initial designation in September 2006, The Breakers has incorporated a towel and linen reuse program in
guest rooms that has achieved a more than 99 percent compliance rating among resort guests. The resort also implemented
an Ozone Washing System in its laundry rooms that eliminates chlorine bleach in the washing process and reduces a
significant amount of energy needed to heat water. The resort has added recycling containers to the pool, bungalow
and meeting areas and has also instituted a recycling program at the golf course. In addition, The Breakers is using
DataMagine software, a program that has helped the resort eliminate more than three million sheets of printed paper.
These measures have improved energy efficiency, water conservation and waste reduction at the resort.
Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels
and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. In 2007 Governor Crist signed three executive
orders initiating state energy-use policies, including one that requires state agencies and departments to
hold meetings and conferences only at hotels with the Florida Green Lodging Program designation as of
January 1, 2008, whenever possible. With the addition of the Hilton Garden Inn Daytona Beach Airport, the
program has 268 designated properties and nearly 400 applicants. For more information about the Florida
Green Lodging Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives is comprised of three voluntary, non-regulatory programs that
assist Florida industry and citizens in protecting the environment. The Clean Marina Program, the Florida
Green Lodging Program and the Florida Pollution Prevention Program offer a variety of services including
on-site assessments, consultations, speakers and workshops, all at no cost to citizens or organizations.
The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs is to meet the needs of the present population without
compromising resources for future generations. To learn more about DEP’s Sustainable Initiatives, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/green/.
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