Rosen Shingle Creek Ups Green Lodging Status
November 18, 2014
Orlando’s Rosen Shingle Creek was awarded Three Palm Status in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Lodging Program. The award-winning hotel has been designated a Two Palm property since 2008.
The voluntary initiative designates and recognizes lodging facilities that make a commitment to conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources, offering designations at four levels. The program’s environmental guidelines allow the hospitality industry to evaluate its operations, set goals and take specific actions to continuously improve environmental performance. To become designated, facilities must conduct a thorough property assessment and implement a specified number of environmental practices in five areas of sustainable operations: Communication and Education (Customers, Employees, Public); Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling; Water Conservation; Energy Efficiency; and Indoor Air Quality.
“We at Rosen Shingle Creek are proud to be named a Three Palm property and to demonstrate that environmental conservation and protection is not just a passing trend but a real priority for all of us at Rosen Hotels & Resorts,” said Leslie Menichini, V.P. of sales and marketing, Rosen Hotels & Resorts Convention Properties. “We started this process before DEP’s program began, and we plan to continue our efforts, exceeding the state’s standards, because it’s a cause to which we are deeply committed.”
To earn Three Palm status, the 1,501-room convention and leisure property implemented several new programs and practices, on top of its existing energy-saving policies. Among them, its staff gives tours to college students and groups, speaks at outside conferences to promote green business practices, and promotes green meetings to incoming convention groups. The hotel provides a “green suggestions” box at the associate cafeteria and has dedicated an environmental section in its facility newsletter, as well as enrolling in Green Destination Orlando, a hospitality advocacy committee. Additionally, Rosen Shingle Creek instituted a reduced packaging policy, uses refillable containers instead of single-use packets/containers, and prints all advertising, educational and promotional pieces on recycled paper.
In terms of facilities, the hotel installed photo sensors on toilets, urinals and faucets; installed tap flow controllers with auto shut-off; and uses final rinse water as pre-rinse water for subsequent cycles in its Milnor Tunnel energy-efficient washing machines. Rosen Shingle Creek uses biodiesel from used cooking oil, an onsite renewable energy power source, and conducts periodic thermal imaging to look for leakages. A daily inspection of laundry exhaust vents, grounds equipment and vehicles keeps the machines running efficiently. The hotel uses LED exit lighting and programmable thermostats for HVAC, and also provides preferred parking locations for guests and staff driving fuel efficient vehicles.
Rosen Hotels & Resorts is committed to conservation efforts in all its properties. The associate medical center, Rosen Medical Center, A Place for Healing and Wellness, was built in 2012 according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified standards as outlined by the U.S. Green Building Council. In 2007, Rosen Shingle Creek, along with its sister properties, Rosen Plaza and Rosen Center, were among the first 50 properties — the top one percent in Florida — to receive One Palm designation. All three properties achieved Two Palm status the following year. The 800-room Rosen Plaza and 1,334-room Rosen Center have retained their Two Palm lodging status.
For more information about the Florida Green Lodging program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.