Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Virginia Green
Hotels & Lodging Facilities

Virginia Green
Best Western Holiday Sands Inn And Suites
Norfolk, VA

Virginia Green is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s campaign to promote environmentally-friendly practices in all aspects of Virginia’s tourism industry. Virginia Green has established "core activities" specific to each sector of tourism, and these practices are considered the required minimum for participation in the program. However, Virginia Green encourages its participants to reduce their environmental impacts in all aspects of their operations, and this profile provides a full list of all their “green” activities. These are the activities that guests / customers can expect to find when they visit this facility.

Best Western Holiday Sands Inn And Suites

We are 90 room 100% non-smoking hotel located on the Chesapeake Bay.

We are committed to doing our part to help the environment.

Virginia Green Activities

This facility pledges that they:
Offer optional linen service
- Have signage in each guest room explaining the linen reuse procedures 
- Change linens only upon request 
- Train housekeeping staff on our process for optional linen service  
- Purchase water- and energy-efficient washers and dryers 
- Minimize the use of bleach and chlorinated chemicals 
- Use an ozone laundry system that greatly minimizes the need for detergents and saves water 

Recycle
- Newspaper 
- Office paper
Other items recycled by the facility: 
- Printer/ copy machine toner cartridges 
- Cardboard 
- Batteries 
- Electronics equipment such as computers, etc. 
- Other Activities: Recycle packing supplies

Reduce solid waste
- Track overall solid waste costs 
- Donate excess food from events 
- Have an effective food inventory control system to minimize waste 
- Do not use any disposable containers, dishware, cutlery, or cups 
- Provide condiments, cream and sugar, etc. in bulk 
- Purchase recycled-content paper-towels and toilet paper 
- Use electronic correspondence and forms when possible 
- Install carpet with sustainable or recycled content and low-VOC adhesives 
- Use reused building materials or those from sustainable sources 
- Perform preventative maintenance on all appliances, HVAC systems, plumbing, and vehicles 
- Minimize use of pesticides and herbicides in landscaping 

Use water efficiently
- Track overall water usage and wastewater costs 
- Perform preventative maintenance to stop drips and leaks 
- Have installed low flow faucets and showerheads (use less than 2.5 gallons per minute) 
- Have installed low flow toilets (use 1.6 gallons per flush or less) 

Conserve energy
- Track overall energy bills 
- Have individual thermostats for each room; ensure they are correctly adjusted 
- Regularly perform preventative maintenance on HVAC system 
- Have installed geothermal heating and cooling 
- Have installed high efficiency fluorescent ballasts and lamps (T-5 and T-8) 
- Have installed compact fluorescent light bulbs in all rooms and canned lighting 
- Have installed LED Exit Signs 
- Have installed directional (downward-facing) lighting in parking areas and other outdoor areas 
- Use ENERGY STAR qualified office equipment (computers, monitors, copiers, printers, etc.) 
- Other Activities: Have installed additional insulation

Offer a green events package
- Include the availability of "green meetings/conferences" in marketing packages (see the factsheet on Environmentally-Responsible Conferences & Events) 

Best Western Holiday Sands Inn And Suites    Best Western Holiday Sands Inn And Suites

For more information on Best Western Holiday Sands Inn And Suites, see www.oceansuitesvb.com or contact Mr. Chad at chad@holidaysands.com or 757-583-2621.

For more information on the Virginia Green program, see www.deq.state.va.us/Programs/PollutionPrevention/VirginiaGreen.aspx.

Virginia GreenVirginia Green is a partnership supported by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Virginia Hospitality & Tourism Association, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

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