Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Virginia Green
Hotels & Lodging Facilities

Virginia Green
Damascus Old Mill Inn
Damascus, 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.

Damascus Old Mill Inn

12 room historic in with conference area and full service resturant.

The beauty of the area warrants all of us to join Virginia Greeen

For more 'green' specific information : damascusinn.com

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  
- Track optional linen participation rate 
- Purchase water- and energy-efficient washers and dryers 
- Minimize the use of bleach and chlorinated chemicals 

Recycle
- Have in place clearly marked recycling bins or provide convenient drop-off locations for guests to recycle: 
- Glass Bottles 
- Plastic Bottles 
- Aluminum cans 
- Office paper
Other items recycled by the facility: 
- Printer/ copy machine toner cartridges 
- Fluorescent lamps 
- Batteries 

Reduce solid waste
- Track overall solid waste costs 
- Have a numeric goal to reduce overall materials that go to the landfill 
- Instruct housekeeping staff to save and reuse unopened items 
- Recycle fryer grease 
- Have an effective food inventory control system to minimize waste 
- Use cloth napkins 
- Use water pitchers to minimize the use of single-use bottles 
- Use high-efficiency hand-dryers 
- Purchase recycled-content paper-towels and toilet paper 
- Make double-sided photocopies and avoid making extra photocopies 
- Use electronic correspondence and forms when possible 
- Use latex, low or no-VOC paints 
- Re-use paint thinners 
- Perform preventative maintenance on all appliances, HVAC systems, plumbing, and vehicles 

Use water efficiently
- Track overall water usage and wastewater costs 
- Have established a numeric goal to reduce water consumption over time 
- 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) 
- Use microfiber technology mops 
- Have minimized our lawn area 
- Have minimized impervious areas (paving, concrete, etc.) 

Conserve energy
- Have individual thermostats for each room; ensure they are correctly adjusted 
- Have installed ceiling fans 
- Regularly perform preventative maintenance on HVAC system 
- Use natural lighting (i.e., open draperies and raise shades whenever adequate light from windows is available) 

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

Damascus Old Mill Inn    Damascus Old Mill Inn

For more information on Damascus Old Mill Inn, see Damascusinn.com or contact fred Leonard at fred@damascusinn.com or 276-475-3745.

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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