Homewood Suites by Hilton earns MI Green Lodging Certification

Encourages environmental initiatives and cost-saving practices

LANSING – The Homewood Suites by Hilton, located in Troy, has earned Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) Partner certification from the Michigan Energy Office.

“Cost-saving green business practices have been extremely positive for job creation and retention in the hospitality sector,” said Martin Dober, Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). “Hoteliers across the state are continuing to show their commitment to environmental responsibility by earning Green Lodging accreditation.”

Green Lodging Michigan encourages hotels, resorts, motels, and bed and breakfast facilities to implement environmental initiatives and cost-saving “green” practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality, reduce waste, and participate in environmentally preferred purchasing.

The Homewood Suites has implemented several environmental initiatives at its facility. It has a linen and towel reuse program, as well as low-flow faucets and toilets to conserve water. It reduces waste by recycling paper, aluminum, cardboard, plastic, glass, and other materials. The Homewood Suites attempts to include its guests on the hotel’s greening efforts by encouraging them to participate. It also provides its meeting guests with a report that details the meeting’s environmental footprint and tells them how they can reduce or offset this impact.

“The Homewood Suites by Hilton Troy and its management company, MEI Hotels Inc., work to achieve a responsible awareness of the environmental impact of its business activities by instituting programs to improve them,” said Homewood Suites President and CEO David Moyar. “We are pleased Green Lodging Michigan is working toward these ends in the State of Michigan and is also increasing the awareness of the economic efficiency of many green lodging practices.”

 Green Lodging Michigan is a joint effort between the Michigan Energy Office and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to encourage the lodging industry to conserve and protect the state's natural resources while increasing marketability and lowering utility costs.

 "The DEQ encourages businesses around the state to find better ways to use energy and resources, and Green Lodging Michigan has been a great way to help hoteliers identify green solutions and be recognized for their efforts,” said DEQ Director Dan Wyant. “Congratulations to the Homewood Suites for stepping up to the challenge and working to make a difference.”

 Green Lodging Michigan is a voluntary and non-regulatory certification program offered through the Michigan Energy Office at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to hoteliers at no charge. The Michigan Energy Office and the DEQ provide technical assistance to those who are interested in implementing “green” strategies and earning certification. The GLM program certifies facilities based on environmental initiatives such as air quality, energy efficiency, solid waste reduction, toxic waste management, water conservation, purchasing and communication. There are three levels of certification: Partner, Steward, and Leader, which can be earned by completing a self-assessment checklist and achieving a minimum number of requirements and points.

 The Michigan Energy Office promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy resource development to Michigan's residents, businesses, and public institutions. For more information about the Green Lodging Michigan program and to download the GLM application packet and self-assessment checklist, visit the website at www.michigan.gov/greenlodging.     

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.