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Maryland Green Travel

Visit Baltimore is a proud partner of Maryland's Green Travel program, which encourages environmentally-friendly practices in all aspects of the state’s tourism industry and promotes Maryland as a green destination to the eco-minded traveler.

Maryland Green Travel is a voluntary, self-certification program that recognizes tourism-related businesses that are committed to reducing their environmental impact. The program provides guidance and resources for these businesses to evaluate their operations, set goals, and take specific actions toward environmental sustainability.

Visit Maryland Green Travel and the Maryland Green Registry for more information.

Green Initiatives at the Baltimore Convention Center

Visit Baltimore, the Maryland Office of Tourism Development, the Baltimore Convent ion Center (BCC) and hospitality businesses are working closely with meeting professionals to provide greener experiences. From the Baltimore Convention Center (BCC) to the Maryland Green Travel program, there are a number of initiatives in place to help offset our carbon footprint and foster green meetings.

The BCC has “gone green” on a number of fronts, including:

ENERGY

• Recycle paper, plastic, bottles, and cans as well as office supplies.
• Exterior glass and skylights allow for the use of natural light to reduce electricity cost. •
• Photo sensors in the public lobbies reduce the need of artificial light.
• Lighting and motion sensors in meeting rooms reduce the need of artificial light.
• Meeting room tables are made from 30% recycled products.

CATERING

• China service is utilized to help reduce waste.
• Reusable service equipment is used on buffets and break stations.
• Centerplate’s sustainable preferential purchasing system increases support of local farmers and the community. Its “Farm-to-Table” program buys locally, whenever possible, thereby conserving energy and creating less pollution when foods travel fewer miles to reach the BCC.
• Centerplate’s participation includes using eco-friendly items. Coffee stirrers along with beverage cups and sleeves are made of recycled materials, all of which are biodegradable. Plates, spoons, forks, and knives all are made of recycled plastics.

WASTE REDUCTION

• Solid Waste Reduction System, SOMAT, reduces solid catering waste by 90 percent.
• SOMAT transforms reduced solid waste into a soil amendment product that is in turn used for the upkeep of the grounds and flower beds.
• The system has already transformed more than 30,000 pounds of waste into slightly more than 6,900 pounds of usable soil product.
• About 60 to-65 percent of cleaning chemicals are now Green Seal Ecofriendly certified.
• Active ion system currently in use for hard, solid surfaces; this system transforms tap water into a product that cleans 99.9 percent of bacteria.

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

• The 27,497-square-foot terrace has been transformed into a green roof, with 12, 245 square feet of space planted with drought resistant vegetation.

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CONTRACT

• Water conservation through newly installed low-flow bathroom fixtures and commode systems.
• Newly installed LED lighting and lighting controls and control upgrades.
• Participation in Constellation Energy’s Cost Avoidance Program, where implemented has the ability to reduce electrical usage by 20 percent.
  

The State of Maryland has launched Maryland Green Travel, which encourages environmentally-friendly practices in all aspects of the state’s tourism industry and promotes Maryland as a green destination to the eco-minded traveler. The program was developed by the Maryland Office of Tourism in partnership with the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Tourism Council. Information about the state’s green programs and listings of certfied members of the hospitality industry actively involved, including LEED-Certified Hotels in Baltimore, may be found at www.visitmaryland.org/green.

Baltimore Green Map: Map Global, Celebrate Local!

Baltimore is full of amazing places waiting to be discovered. Baltimore Green Map focuses on sharing knowledge about our region's natural, cultural, and green living resources. Check out the much-lauded Jones Falls Trail print map, the detailed map of Druid Hill Park, and the online, interactive Baltimore Regional Green Map, where you can filter information about more than 350 resources to follow your interests. Use the free mobile app GreenMap.org to find out what's green near you wherever you are.

Baltimore is in the forefront of the international Green Map movement, one of over 500 places around the world using the award-winning Green Map® Icons. To learn more about why we Green Map, read our Why? blog.

Mayor Rawlings-Blake Celebrates Installation of Electric Car Chargers

Chargers have been installed in 9 city-owned garages. Installation encourages use of electric cars by motorists.

BALTIMORE, MD. (October 26, 2011) – Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was joined by Department of General Services (DGS) Director Theodore “Ted” Atwood, Parking Authority of Baltimore City (PABC) Executive Director Peter Little, and John Murach of Baltimore Gas and Electric to celebrate the installation of electric car chargers in City-owned garages. Mayor Rawlings-Blake drove a 2011 Chevy Volt to demonstrate the ease with which plug-ins can be recharged.

 “These new electric vehicle charging stations prove that Baltimore is ready to support the growing electric vehicle industry,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “I want to thank the Governor and the Maryland Energy Administration for their support of this effort to improve services for hybrid vehicle owners, and grow our city.”

The City has installed chargers in nine city-owned garages for use by motorists. Each charger can support two electric vehicles. The Parking Authority has dedicated 18 parking spaces in City-owned garages to allow electric vehicle drivers to charge their car batteries while at home, work, running errands, or enjoying one of Baltimore’s many attractions. For drivers, plugging in is free when they pay to park in the garages. Installation of the chargers was funded by a Maryland Energy Administration grant that City DGS received for $134,366.

The Mayor drove a Chevy Volt which is being test-driven by the DGS Fleet Division this week.  This year, DGS has also test driven the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle.  Both electric vehicles use plug-in technology in addition to regenerative braking to recharge the battery.

Electric Vehicle chargers can be found in the following PABC garages:

• Arena Garage – 99 S. Howard Street (2nd Level)
• Baltimore Street Garage – 15 Guilford Avenue (2nd Level)
• Caroline Street Garage – 805 S. Caroline Street (1st Level)
• Lexington Street Garage – 510 E. Lexington Street (2nd Level)
• Little Italy Garage – 400 S. Central Avenue (1st Level)
• Penn Station Garage – 1151 N. Charles Street (Level 1B)
• Redwood Street Garage – 11 S. Eutaw Street (Lower Level)
• Water Street Garage – 414 Water Street (Level 3)
• West Street Garage – 40 E. West Street (Lower Level)

The use of energy efficient vehicles with reduced emissions helps support the Baltimore Sustainability Plan and state EmPower goals, which work to significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas pollution 15% by 2015. DGS has already put City government ahead of that goal, and the City is on-target to see a 20% or more reduction by 2015.

The City’s electric chargers are open for business at a time when energy is a focus for the country. October is National Energy Awareness month, and the official opening of the electric vehicle chargers is one of many activities the City has held this month. Other events included a seminar on Baltimore City Energy Contracts and Green Initiatives, and the launch of the City Employee Energy Challenge, a competition among three City agencies for reduced energy use. Energy Awareness Month is a national effort to underscore how energy is central to our national prosperity, security, and environmental well-being.

To learn more about the Department of General Services and its many energy initiatives, visit the City’s website at www.baltimorecity.gov.