Collette has announced the launch of its newest initiative, Project Green & Blue. The program is Collette’s latest step in reducing its carbon footprint & environmental impact. The domestic tour operator’s initiative is aimed at ensuring Collette’s worldwide offices are operating as “green” as possible on a day-to-day basis.

“Everyone needs to take responsibility for the impact they have on our environment,” said John Galvin, CFO. “We want to do everything we possibly can to leave the world a better place as a result of our being here.” Project Green and Blue is aimed at doing just that.

On Arbor Day, Collette planted 519 trees, one in honor of each of their employees. Collette is also working on the design & construction of the new Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certified building for their office in Canada. The building should be complete in April 2009 will include a geothermal heating system, so they will use less fossil fuel for heat.

Future projects will include installing a 20-kilowatt wind turbine in the company’s Vermont retreat location which will provide renewable energy for the house and in clean energy that can be sold back to the utility company.  They will also make changes & upgrades to their corporate office in Rhode Island including replacing lights & installing water saving fixtures, installing programmable thermostats & occupancy sensing light systems, as well as changing over to environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Collette Vacations makes traveling the world simple and hassle-free. For more information on their travel packages visit: http://www.atlastravelweb.com/collettetours.shtml