A&P2 for the Hospitality Industry - Rhode Island

The workbooks with checklists for both lodging facilities and restaurants can be found online. In addition to certification documents and a list of certified facilities, this webpage offers other helpful information on a variety of relevant topics.

The program was formally introduced in the hospitality industry at the annual meeting of the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau in November 2007. A training workshop was held for the lodging facilities sector in February to introduce the workbook and the program to key facility personnel, as well as present information on recycling and waste minimization, water conservation, and energy conservation. Similar training for the restaurant sector was held on April 3, 2008.

RI DEM expects to approve the first certifications in mid-April, with an awards ceremony to be held on April 22, 2008 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Certifications will be followed by random inspections to begin in early 2009, and the point score necessary for certification will be gradually increased in future years. The program will include certification of green suppliers, and will be expanded to include conventions, meetings, and events.

In addition to newspaper coverage, the program was featured on a NBC10 WJAR EarthWatch RI program in March at the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina in Newport. EarthWatch RI is a partnership between RI DEM and NBC10 WJAR that features environmental and natural resource topics and the work of RI DEM staff.