Virginia Green Attractions
To become a Virginia Green Attraction, click on one of the links below to fill out the application:
click here for a fillable MS Word version
click here for an Adobe PDF version
![]() Virginia Beach Aquarium |
![]() nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth |
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Attractions are the amusement parks, the museums, the stadiums and arenas, and the festivals that cause tourists to visit your region. That’s why it’s so important for Attractions to set a great example!
What does it take to be a Virginia Green Attraction? At a minimum, facilities must commit to:
- Provide Recycling: Providing highly-visible recycling opportunities for guests is a must for Green Attractions. Recycling of aluminum cans and plastic and glass bottles is always important. Attractions, however, should pay special attention towards collecting and recycling the items that they sell. For instance, drink cups – are they recyclable? Purchasing decisions can be made that will support effective recycling and waste reduction programs. Recycling of cardboard, plastic, paper, and composting of waste foods is highly encouraged as well.
- Minimize the use of disposable food service products: Attractions are required to minimize the use of disposable food service products and maximize the use of food service products that are recylable or compostable in the food service area. When disposable food service items are used, Attraction are encouraged to use products that are made from bio-based or renewable resources, and to provide for the collection / recycling/ composting of food service items disposed of on the premises.
- Water Conservation: Attractions must have some sort of “plan” for conserving and using water efficiently. This plan should begin with tracking water usage and consider water-savings faucets and fixtures and an effective landscape watering plan.
- Energy Efficiency: Attractions must have a plan in place to reduce overall energy consumption. The “plan” should consider replacing lighting and equipment with energy-efficient alternatives such as compact-fluorescent lighting, LED Exit signs, lighting sensors, efficient heating and cooling, and ENERGY STAR kitchen appliances and computers
- Offer a Green Events Package: Attractions often host special events such as conferences, meetings, parties, and other events. At a minimum, Attractions should be able to provide recycling at such events and be willing to work with “environmentally-aware” customers on other techniques to reduce wastes. For lots of ideas on Green Events, please see the fact-sheet on Environmentally-Responsible Conferences, Meetings, and Events.
Participating attractions:
- Apple Cottage Organic Teaching Garden, Luray
- Birdie's, Chesapeake
- BodyWorks by Chandani, Virginia Beach
- Busch Gardens, Williamsburg
- Chesapeake Arboretum, Chesapeake
- Constant Convocation Center, ODU, Norfolk
- Contemporary Art Center of Virginia, Virginia Beach
- DelFosse Vineyards & Winery, Faber
- Ernie Morgan Center, Norfolk
- Five Points Community Farm Market, Norfolk
- Gadino Cellars Winery, Washington
- Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg
- Hampton Coliseum, Hampton
- Hermitage Museum & Gardens, Norfolk
- John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville
- Johnson's Orchards, Bedford
- Jungle Golf, Virginia Beach
- Khimaira Farm, Luray
- Nissan Pavilion, Bristow
- nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth
- Old City Cemetery Museums & Arboretum, Lynchburg
- Peaks of Otter Winery, Bedford
- Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
- Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond
- The Virginia Institute of Esthetics, Virginia Beach
- Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia Beach
- Virginia Beach Amphitheater
- Virginia Living Museum, Newport News
- Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville
- Water Country USA, Williamsburg
- West Wind Farm Vineyard & Winery, Max Meadows
- White Rock Vineyards & Winery, Goodview
- Wolf Trap Foundation for the Perfoming Arts, Vienna
Virginia Green is a partnership program supported by
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