New Jersey Will Host First Green Hotels Workshop

On Oct.19, the DEP’s new Garden State Green Hotels Project will hold its first workshop, allowing hotel owners and operators to learn about state programs that pay for energy efficiency improvements, environmental reviews, and worker training.

The workshop will take place at the Walter Edge Theater on the Mays Landing campus of Atlantic Cape Community College. The event is scheduled to begin at 8:30am and last until noon and will feature a panel discussion and several presentations from hotel, clean energy, and utility industries. Those who attend the event will learn about environmental improvements that can help achieve the best results and turn those results into an effective marketing tool. During the panel discussion, hotel general managers whose facilities use greener practices will be sharing their experiences.

In conjunction with other state and federal agencies, the DEP launched the Garden State Green Hotels project in April. The main purpose of this project is to aid New Jersey hotel owners and operators in increasing energy efficiency and cost savings through the implementation of green practices. The program offers several workshops and training sessions, and no-cost and no-obligation energy and environments reviews to participating hotels. The Green Hotel Project will also be focusing on reducing greenhouse gases, hazardous materials, and waste generation, while striving to conserve water in hotels.

The Garden State Green Hotel Project is funded by an $180,000 contribution from the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant Program, which is matched by the DEP. Other partners include the state Board of Public Utilities, Division of Travel and Tourism, the U.S. Green Building Council – New Jersey Chapter, Atlantic Cape Community College, and the State Employment & Training Commission.

Please visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/sage/green-hotels.htmlfor more information about the Garden State Green Hotel Project.