COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina’s hotels, motels, restaurants and other hospitality facilities now have the opportunity to show how green they are, and what they are doing to help protect and preserve the state’s environment through a new partnership, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.
“The S.C. Green Hospitality Alliance is a free, voluntary program designed to help the hospitality industry reduce the environmental impact of its operations,” said DHEC Commissioner Earl Hunter. “The program, developed in partnership between DHEC and the S.C. Hospitality Association, recognizes and certifies facilities for environmentally friendly efforts with an annual certification.
“Each of us - government, business, industry and individuals - must do our part to help protect South Carolina’s environment,” Hunter said. “This program presents a unique opportunity for the hospitality industry to lead by example through the use of smart, sustainable, cost-effective practices that help conserve natural resources, save energy and reduce pollution.”
According to Hunter, DHEC’s role in the partnership is to offer free, confidential assistance on a variety of issues such as waste reduction, recycling, composting, conserving energy and water, green cleaning, and environmentally preferred purchasing. DHEC’s assistance also includes site visits, workshops and a comprehensive series of best management practices fact sheets.
For more information, including a program application and a listing of certified facilities, see DHEC’s Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/greenhospitality.