NORTH CAROLINA CELEBRATES REACHING 100 GREEN TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

NC Green Travel recently recognized the Uptown Greenville Umbrella Market for the steps it has taken to be a good steward of the environment. With the addition of the Pitt County market, North Carolina now boasts 100 sustainable tourist destinations. You can find a list of all of North Carolina’s green tourist destinations on the NC Green Travel Website.

The NC Green Travel Initiative is a partnership between the NC Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service, The Center for Sustainability at East Carolina University, The North Carolina Division of Tourism and Waste Reduction Partners. The initiative began in 2011 to celebrate tourist destinations that takes steps to reduce waste, conserve energy and water and take steps to protect the environment, as well as to encourage people visiting places in North Carolina to patronize eco-friendly establishments. The initiative also offers free consultations with any tourism-oriented business interested in learning how it can reduce its environmental impact.

Any business that serves tourists can apply for free at the NC Green Travel Website. Applicants are judged based on a grading system in which they earn points for environmentally friendly actions, like recycling and composting. Recognized businesses receive a certificate and door decal, and are listed on the NC Green Travel Website.