When I first started Green Lodging News, there were still many in our industry who supported keeping a percentage of their rooms as smoking rooms. Many factors have led to the mass elimination of smoking rooms in the industry—consumer demand, legislative action, brand policies, etc. At The Hospitality Show in Las Vegas last month, there were many exhibitors of interest, including a couple of companies that make it easy to catch guests who violate nonsmoking policies. The two companies include alerteer and FreshAir Sensor LLC. The companies’ products function similarly. In the case of alerteer, it provides a system of...

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND—Real estate investor and developer Lamington Group is adding to its pioneering eco hometel brand with the opening of room2 Belfast, the fourth outpost, and first property outside England, set to open later this summer. With the opening just months away, the team are giving a first look at the hometel, which is set to become a hub for the community in the heart of the bustling city, moments away from Belfast’s most popular attractions. The new property will consist of 175 rooms across nine floors as well as a vibrant café, beautifully designed tearoom, meeting and event spaces, a gym,...

SALT LAKE CITY—R-Zero, a leader in healthy buildings and green buildings, unveiled the results of its new “Indoor Air Impact” report, which sheds light on the impact of indoor air quality on physical and mental health, Americans’ attitudes towards crowded indoor spaces, and workplace hygiene. The findings reveal significant concerns around indoor air quality, an underlying health issue that has long gone unaddressed. “Not only are people demanding healthier indoor spaces, but it has become mission critical for businesses to protect their workforce while maintaining sustainability goals and creating spaces that optimize productivity," said R-Zero CEO Jennifer Nuckles. “While we are...

FAIRFIELD, CONN.—ASHRAE announced the approval for publication for the first-ever pathogen mitigation standard. It was developed at the request of the White House, prior to the expiration of Title 42 COVID public health emergency. An AtmosAir representative was on a committee that completed the standard. ASHRAE’s 241-P: Control of Infectious Aerosols, outlines requirements for buildings to reduce the risk of disease transmission in indoor spaces. One highlight of the standard is the use of equivalent clean air, as opposed to just outside air. This means buildings using advanced air cleaning technologies will be able to bring in less outside air and...

If you are looking for more good reasons to eliminate plastic beverage bottles, be sure to read Hidden Hazards: The Chemical Footprint of a Plastic Bottle. It reveals the health, environmental, and climate threats caused throughout the lifecycle of plastic beverage bottles (made from polyethylene terephthalate or PET)—from the hazardous air emissions released in the petrochemical manufacturing process to the cancer-causing toxic chemicals leaked in the consumption and final waste stages. Making PET requires hundreds of chemicals, including ethylene oxide (EtO), the most potent cancer-causing chemical emitted by chemical manufacturers, and antimony. Antimony is one of at least 150 chemicals that can escape from...

NATIONAL REPORT—They are in your vending machines. They are sold elsewhere on your property—possibly at the front desk or a retail store. Plastic beverage bottles. What is their true impact on the environment? On human health? Defend our Health and the Beyond Petrochemicals campaign recently released a new report, Hidden Hazards: The Chemical Footprint of a Plastic Bottle, unmasking the hazards posed by the plastic bottle. This report reveals the health, environmental, and climate threats caused throughout the lifecycle of common plastic known as polyethylene terephthalate or PET—from the hazardous air emissions released in the petrochemical manufacturing process to the cancer-causing toxic chemicals leaked...

BOSTON—Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, announced a new relationship with UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science, to offer its customers access to inspection and testing services that meet the scope requirements of the UL Verified Healthy Building Mark. This new relationship demonstrates Schneider Electric’s continued commitment to providing its customers with the tools and resources needed to reach their health, wellness and environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. UL Solutions’ Verified Healthy Building program helps business and building owners communicate their commitment to maintaining healthier indoor environments and report their efforts to...

SCOTTSVILLE, KY.—Phil Meredith, Foodservice SBA Director Americas announced the expansion of Halton’s manufacturing facility dedicated to commercial air handling segment. Halton, a leading maker of commercial kitchen ventilation and air distribution systems, is investing $7.4 million to expand the company’s facility in Allen County, creating 60 full-time Kentucky jobs. Work will start immediately and is expected to be completed during the first half of 2024. The project will see the company expand its current manufacturing operation in Scottsville by 50,000 square feet, bringing its operational space to 91,000 square feet at its second facility. This expansion joins its sister facility, bringing...

AHLA last conducted The Lodging Survey with STR in 2018. It provided valuable information on numerous trends in lodging, including ones falling under Sustainability. AHLA and STR no longer conduct that survey. A very valuable replacement to that survey is the 2022 Green Lodging Trends U.S. Market Report. It is based on U.S.-specific data gathered for the 2022 edition of the global Green Lodging Trends Report (GLTR). The newly available U.S. report from AHLA—representing its Responsible Stay program—is based on data from 17,000 U.S. hotels. There were two data collection methods: direct participation by responding to the GLTR survey on...

HONOLULU—Premier beach resort brand Outrigger Resorts & Hotels has successfully achieved Green Seal certification for key properties in Fiji and Hawaii. Outrigger is first in the State of Hawaii to earn the prestigious Green Seal designation as well as the first hospitality brand to achieve certification outside of the United States. Green Seal is a global nonprofit whose certification mark is a universal symbol that a product, cleaning service or facility meets the highest benchmark of health and environmental leadership. Outrigger’s owned/managed properties that are now Green Seal certified include: Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel OHANA Waikiki...