LAS VEGAS—Through the third quarter of 2023, Sands Cares Accelerator members had made significant progress toward the goals they defined for their tenure in the exclusive membership program. Inspired by Sands’ founder Sheldon G. Adelson and his legacy of creating successful businesses and giving back to communities through meaningful philanthropic involvement, the Sands Cares Accelerator empowers nonprofits to build their capacity in a strategic area or develop a new initiative to make greater impact in the community. Each Sands Cares Accelerator member has defined a three-year goal for the program, and they made solid progress through the first three quarters...

BETHESDA, MD.—For many years Host Hotels & Resorts has been recognized for its ongoing sustainability leadership, and justifiably so. It was the first hospitality company and one of the first 20 companies globally to have its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). “ is very important,” says Michael Chang, Vice President of Energy and Sustainability for Host Hotels & Resorts. “It is prioritized by the investor community. It signals that your goals are credible.” Of its portfolio of 77 hotels, 11 are LEED certified. “Our sustainable financing strategies enable our responsible investment in LEED-certified...

MIAMI—After four years of research and development, SOFi Products is excited to reveal its new 100 percent plastic-free, biodegradable cup for hot beverages that doesn’t require a separate lid. The SOFi Hot Cup features three flaps that fold together to form a spill-proof spout. This design eliminates the need for a separate plastic lid, saving businesses money, storage space and freight costs. The company’s breakthrough patent-pending locking mechanism also ensures unmatched spill protection, while its proprietary water-based coating eliminates soggy sips. “There are no cups currently on the market that are 100 percent biodegradable and eliminate the need for a lid,”...

NEW YORK—Beyond Green, a global portfolio of planet Earth’s most sustainable hotels, has announced the launch of its first-ever Global Impact Report underscoring the brand’s commitment to sustainability and the effect of its member portfolio’s worldwide ESG initiatives. The report, available online at www.staybeyondgreen.com/GIR, utilizes data resulting from a Beyond Green member sustainability survey to demonstrate the power of sustainable tourism in safeguarding the planet’s natural environment, celebrating cultural heritage, and enhancing the lives of local communities—representing the future of travel. Established by Preferred Travel Group in April 2021, Beyond Green unites sustainability leaders worldwide to transform the travel industry with each member property vetted...

SANTA CRUZ, CALIF.—Steeped Coffee, a Certified B Corporation, and a pioneer in the single serve compostable coffee industry, has teamed up with ADDICTIVE Coffee Roasters to serve the hospitality industry. With a process brewed like tea, Steeped is helping to make quality coffee from hundreds of top brands accessible and sustainable. Steeped Packs contain craft-roasted, freshly ground pre-portioned coffee that is triple nitro-sealed to guarantee each perfect, “Barista-Approved” cup. The company’s Guilt-Free Packing is commercially compostable, from the outer packaging to the inner Steeped Brew Bags. No pods or plugs required. “At Steeped, we are changing the way people view single-serve coffee, delivering all...

SAN FRANCISCO—Steeped Coffee, a Certified B Corp, is celebrating National Gourmet Coffee Day this January 18 with a non-traditional ask for gourmet coffee lovers—reduce your coffee waste. Steeped is leading a movement to reduce the world’s dependence on non-recyclable, single-serve coffee pods, and has pioneered a revolutionary single-serve brewing method that preserves the full flavor of gourmet coffee while being fully compostable and requiring no brewing machinery. More than 10 billion single-serve coffee pods end up in landfills each year. The number of pods consumed since 2009 could wrap around the planet more than 500 times. With a process brewed...

PALMA DE MALLORCA, SPAIN—Iberostar Group, a leader in responsible tourism, unveiled its new roadmap showcasing its commitment to circular economy principles at the 28th edition of the United Nations Conference (COP28) in Dubai, at the UNWTO event: Tourism United for Climate Action—Delivering on the Commitments of the Glasgow Declaration. Its latest report serves as a bold statement of intent, signaling a commitment to drive value and continuous improvement at its destinations. It also outlines Iberostar’s progress on decarbonization, waste management, and reduction of single-use plastics, including learnings from its first approaches. Innovation and collaboration stand as paramount pillars in shaping the value chain, with the report emphasizing their pivotal roles. The collaborative...

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIF.—Yosemite Hospitality, a subsidiary of Aramark and the authorized concessioner of Yosemite National Park, announced significant wins in its effort to remove single-use plastic bottles from its retail and dining establishments. All beverages packaged in single-use plastic bottles have been replaced with alternatives that use glass or aluminum packaging—materials that are far more recyclable and otherwise environmentally preferable than their plastic counterparts. “Starting 2023 without single-use plastic bottles was a huge step forward in our sustainability efforts and delivers on our commitment to be great stewards of this incredible park,” said Weston Spiegl, Vice President of Operations,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A new report highlights the urgent need for reusable beverage packaging as a solution to the global plastic crisis. The report, produced by ocean advocacy group Oceana, shows that just a 10-percentage point increase in reusable beverage packaging by 2030 could eliminate over 1 trillion single-use plastic bottles and cups and prevent up to 153 billion of these containers from entering our world’s oceans and waterways. Stacked on top of each other, the avoided 1 trillion bottles and cups could reach to the moon and back over 300 times. Global beverage leaders, including The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo, have enormous existing reusable...

MIAMI—Club Med, the pioneer of the all-inclusive concept, announced a variety of new developments including three forthcoming international resorts—the brand’s first resort in South Africa and the first Exclusive Collection (5-Star) resort in South America. These new openings will reinforce Club Med’s shift to exclusively offer 4 and 5-star products and the brand’s ambition to expand its portfolio with three to five openings or renovations per year. Additionally, the brand continues to build on its Happy to Care corporate social responsibility program with a new environmental certification at Club Med Tignes and additional developments in North America. New Beach & Safari Resort: Club Med...