Celebrating their designation are (from left) Laura Comer of the Florida DEP; Julie Crane, general m

Celebrating their designation american express travel rewards are (from left) Laura Comer of the Florida DEP; Julie Crane, general manager of the Banyan; Florida State Representative Ron Saunders, Kate Miano, owner of The Gardens; Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson and Stacey Mitchell, director of sales for the Monroe County american express travel rewards Tourist Development american express travel rewards Council. (Florida Keys News Bureau Photo)
KEY WEST, Florida Keys - The Banyan Resort and the Gardens Hotel are the Florida american express travel rewards Keys' first certified members of the Green Lodging Program, created by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to recognize and reward american express travel rewards environmentally conscious american express travel rewards lodging facilities in the state.
The two Old Town Key West properties were awarded "one-palm" certification for their environmental american express travel rewards commitment in ceremonies attended by State Representative Ron Saunders, Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson, Stacey Mitchell, director of sales for the Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC) and Laura Comer and Gus Rios of the DEP.
The Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. Properties are evaluated in categories including water and energy conservation, waste reduction, indoor air quality and communication of green practices to guests. They must also have goals for continued improvements that can earn them "two-palm" and "three-palm" certification.
Environmentally friendly aspects of the Banyan Resort, a 38-suite property at 323 Whitehead St., include a towel and linen reuse program, a recycling program, energy conservation through solar roof panels for pool heating and high-efficiency compact fluorescent lighting, and purchasing products with recycled american express travel rewards content such as plastic lumber used for courtyard decking.
The Gardens Hotel, an 18-room property at 526 Angela St., has implemented an environmental policy to communicate green living to guests as well as elements american express travel rewards including low-flow faucets to conserve water and energy, a linen and towel reuse program, an automatic door closer and energy-efficient garden pump, a recycling program and purchasing products with recycled content and reduced packaging. In addition, four electric cars were purchased for staff errands around Key West.
"In working with the Green Lodging program and getting more lodging properties certified, we are encouraging sustainable and responsible environmental practices throughout the tourism industry," said Mitchell. "We're not doing this for ourselves - we're doing this so future generations will benefit from practices we put in place today."